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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TuESDAY, JANuARY 8, 2019
When words fail a writer
Dear Annie: I am a pub- go back and read your writ-
lished author and have been ings immediately. Let what
struggling to write my next you’ve written age a bit, and
book. I’ve written a hand- start the next day anew. Speak
ful of adult-oriented fictional with your spouse, a close
friend or your thera-
books. My most recent
DEAR
pist about the mean-
published book came
ANNIE
ing behind these
out almost five years
writings. Inspira-
ago. I’ve tried several
tion and meaning
times to start the next
will find you as you
book, but I haven’t
let go of the search
been able to get any
for the perfect topic
thoughts together or
and uncover what’s
gather any momentum
hiding
in the writing process. ANNIE LANE already
Creators
inside you.
I never previously
Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: My
experienced any writ-
dad is full of inter-
er’s block, so this five-
year period is challenging. esting stories. And he’s get-
My frustration has also com- ting older; he’ll be 70 soon.
pounded during this period, Though he’s in great health,
and I’ve walked away several I know that my time is run-
times for extended periods of ning out with him. And I want
time. Any advice from one to preserve his stories so that
writer to another? — Writer’s they don’t die with him. Do
you have any advice on how
Blocked
Dear Writer’s Blocked: to go about this? — Mulling
Writing about your own Over Memoir
Dear Mulling Over
block is a great way to get
the creative juices flow- Memoir: It is terrific that
ing again. Start every day by you’re thinking of this. What
writing a stream of conscious- a gift it would be to your
ness. Don’t focus on specific father, yourself and future
time requirements or topics. generations of your family to
Just write creatively. Don’t preserve these stories. On top
of that, the process of gather-
ing this information will bring
you and your dad closer than
ever before.
Try to set aside one after-
noon a month to conduct “life
interviews” with your dad,
accompanying him on a stroll
down memory lane. Record
the conversations using your
smartphone or a recorder. If
you’re not sure where to start,
the website https://legacy-
project.org has a helpful list
of questions.
Dear Annie: As a thera-
pist specializing in eating dis-
orders, I applaud your telling
“Supportive Sibling” to talk
with her sister who has an eat-
ing disorder before holiday
dinners and to devise a safe
word to use in conversations
if the sister becomes uncom-
fortable. I would add that
“Supportive Sibling” should
ask her sister what would
help her rather than guess and
should urge her to find a ther-
apist to help her overcome her
problems. Most people with
eating disorders cannot and
do not resolve them without
therapeutic help, as this is a
biopsychosocial problem.
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). When you want to
know something, you ask. Many are too afraid to
admit what they don’t know. They’d rather con-
tinue to be ignorant than risk appearing foolish.
To be a good teacher, provide more information
than is asked for.
boundary of the law. In other words, “Epater la
bourgeoisie.”
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There are those who
lend their endorsements to products and services
in exchange for financial gain. You make recom-
mendations for more integral reasons — to help
others and to promote the good things in life.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Every breathing
soul gets technically older with each tick of the
clock. Meanwhile, your state of mind gets young-
er with every new thing you learn.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It will feel like you
are doing almost nothing, though you’re getting
plenty accomplished. It’s as though some other
force is doing the work through you. This is the
freedom of letting go.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). It is said that if you
treat people as though they are great, they will
be. This has sometimes worked for you, but not
always. You’ve also been burned by giving others
the benefit of the doubt, which is why you’re a bit
cautious today.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This thing you’re trying
to do isn’t that easy. If it were, you’d have done
it ages ago. Take a step back and ask, “How can I
cater to myself better?” Be selfish, or it’s not going
to work.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your role will go far
beyond your job description. It’s more like you’re
playing the composite of many roles: coach, par-
ent, psychologist, partner, cheerleader and more.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sophisticated sensi-
bility is often just outside the boundary of what’s
expected and appropriate, while within the
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). For the integrity of
your work you’ll be recognized, maybe not with
praise or awards but with lives touched by your
life, goodness rippling out in unexpected ways.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). While budgeting
may strike you as boring, a loose financial plan
will serve you well. And no matter how much you
know about money, it behooves you to check out
what other savvy folks are doing.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You can think what
you like and you can say what you think, though
you’d be wise to use careful judgement on the
matter of when, where and how you do it.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When someone says,
“Don’t even get me started,” it usually means, “Do
ask! I’m dying to talk about it.” But you knew that
already. This kind of social intelligence is why you
have so many friends.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 9). Leadership is
your destiny in 2019. You’re not overly concerned
with being popular; you’re just trying to do the
right thing, which is usually the loving thing. For
this reason and many others you’ll be promoted,
befriended and cherished. More highlights of the
solar year include a new professional chapter, a
domestic upgrade and communion with distant
family for a happy occasion. Aries and Virgo adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 47, 21, 8, 16 and 9.