Rhymes With Camera: Forget Writer's Block; behold the Project Bottleneck
Writer's Block is the bane of many scribes' existence: fear of a blank page and no words at all. But my block is more like a bottleneck... so many ideas trapped in transit to multiple projects.
I met with my friend, the author Jack Reigns, last week and we had a great discussion about what it means to not have Writer’s Block.
It’s a bigger struggle than you might think.
A metaphor for brainstorming
Imagine the human brain is an upside-down spinning vortex that delivers ideas through the narrow opening in the spiral’s top… these are the ideas you get to work into creative projects or use to solve problems.
Maybe it’s unfair to assume, but I imagine most writers have an orderly ascension of ideas, each entering the vortex one at a time—maybe two or three on a good day—for them to gather and process.
Those with Writer’s Block have a different experience. They wait and wait and wait and it’s like the suctioning pressure of their brain vortex is too low, or the queue of ideas is scant or absent altogether. The eye of that (non)storm is glaring in its emptiness.
Then there are writers like Jack and me: both of our brains spin madly, the ideas in the valley below the vortex coming fast as if through a chaotic firehose… so many spinning, gathering friction, clogging the vortex.
I imagine a tornado after it has wiped out a farm.
I see the cow, the woody shrapnel, the tire off the tractor, the child’s doll, sparkles of loosened hay, a frying pan spinning around in the storm’s funnel.
If these ideas came, one by one, through the eye of the vortex,
that would be great, they would be manageable. But they don’t…
they jam into one big bottleneck of idea flotsam.
When ideas finally get pulled through that tiny gap, I feel such relief, and the writing itself comes easily. It’s having the capacity to capture all those ideas without dealing with the bottleneck that’s excruciating.
Funny to think that I’ve been an editor my whole life but I still struggle to edit my own ideas. More on that in a bit.
Maybe I’m greedy in this way, but I’m a list keeper. I can handle a flurry of ideas if only my brain didn’t have such a narrow space to squeeze them through.
(Or who knows, maybe that kind of governor exists to keep me from losing my mind? We’ll never know for sure…)
If this isn’t Writer’s Block, what is it?
There’s no word for the antithesis of Writer’s Block—at least not one I’m aware of—but there should be, because I know I’m not alone.
The decision to choose one idea over another, when all the ideas are calling out to be processed into current or new projects, can be a haunting heartbreak for some creative souls.
It’s probably why I have so many projects going at once. They all demand attention and, well, those ideas stuck in that vortex traffic jam.
For me, the ideas that are there—but not yet through the bottleneck—are spectres lingering in the corner of my eye. Oh, they tease. Meanwhile, a story or script awaits.
So maybe this should be called Project Bottleneck.
If you’re a writer reading this, and you work on several projects at once, raise your hand. (No, I literally can’t see you doing this, but I know you’re there. I see you.)
Lots of writers work on multiple manuscripts. Usually it’s in a single genre or format or form, but then there are writers like me who write across entire spectrums.
For me, writing projects include:
book manuscripts
short story generation
poetry film
homework for writing workshops (or podcasts, as is the case with BENEATH THE RAIN SHADOW)
the occasional ten-minute play or short film script
new poem generation
revision work (all forms and formats)
new essay generation
blog and Substack entries
Perhaps it’s an embarrassment of riches when one has multiple creative projects to work on, with more in the tank waiting in line, with others floating around in the attic of one’s brain waiting their turn.
Meanwhile, I know some folks for whom one poems labored over a month is all they have on their plates, and it’s enough for them.
But the siren call for me, of choosing to work on one project over another, feels an awful lot like having to pick my favorite child from a dozen I’ve already brought into the world, knowing I will birth even more, maybe even adopt a few, in the future. How to choose?
What’s more… I awaken every morning with a new story idea, film concept, or poem fragment. (My dreams are a chief supplier of fresh ideas, after all.) What do I do with these?
I won’t call it a curse, but having a firehose of ideas is not the blessing it might seem, either.
Decision fatigue is real, my friends.
What to do about the Project Bottleneck?
I don’t have a fixed strategy for dealing with the firehose of ideas and the many open project “tabs” that nudge me during my waking hours like lost kittens needing a milk dish refill.
Crazy, right? You’d think, by now, I’d have that figured out.
But the thing is… I used to labor over capturing every idea all the time. Then I found myself too stressed over failing to write down all those “lost” ideas (that were probably not great ideas to develop anyway).
That’s not a great expenditure of one’s creative energy.
I also used to think I couldn’t start something new without finishing something else first. But that ends up being its own kind of hell.
Other lessons learned
An idea I thought I had lost might still stick around and return to grab my attention when I’m more ready to develop it.
Often, these ideas come to me as dreams, and I re-dream them (lucidly, sometimes) to “do research.” (Weird, huh?)
I’m now at a point in my writing life where not everything needs to be written/created, at least not by me. Just because I can… doesn’t mean I should.
It can still be excruciating to reject a decent idea, knowing you could rock it but… why? I’m more selective about project commitments these days for a reason.
At this time in my writing life, I recognize that I have a specific voice and vision, a unique “corral” where my writing/ideas naturally gather. (Marketing folk call this “branding”)
While I still experiment as a writer—I’m always trying new things!—I still try to write “for the corral.”
More and more these days, I’m saying No to ideas and projects that I don’t think I can easily fit into the corral. Yet:
Saying no is hard, people. So, so hard.
It means I must face the evil little imp squeaking out its little tease:
“But, but, but… what if that’s the idea that takes you to the moon?”
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had to say No to that little shit.
Yet, with all these years of practice saying No… it’s still really fucking hard.
Instead, I take the slow and steady trajectory: practice patience (also so very hard!), chip away at narratives, coddle meaningful projects and bring them to fruition. Repeat.
I still think it’s better to have Project Bottleneck than Writer’s Block.
This, of course, owing to the fact I overwrite anyway and am comfortable with revision, where I think the real writing happens anyway.
In the end… be patient and keep going
When space frees up from completed projects, I love to welcome aboard the new ideas still waiting to enter the corral. But here’s the thing:
Some will have been hanging around a long time; in doing so, quite a few will have inevitably lost their shine and relevance (basic law of attrition).
That’s okay, I let ‘em go. Easiest decision ever, because there are always others still pacing nearby, pulsing with energy and promise. It’s from those I’ll pick as I move forward... into new projects!
One of my favorite sayings: “Where attention goes, energy flows.”
So that’s how I manage. It’s an imperfect and messy process, but it always ends with finished work, production, publication, or some other desired outcome.
Eventually.
At the end of the day, month, quarter, year… any period where I’m assessing my progress (as one does while managing several projects), I find myself looking back and seeing gains.
This is what I found when I came back from StokerCon in mid-June and inventoried my writing life:
In five years, I’ve published three books, made a successful indie poetry film, and become a podcaster! Who knew?
I find immense comfort in knowing that, while I’m up to my eyeballs in creative projects, I’m still finishing them and setting them free into the world.
And that’s what it’s all about, yes?
So that’s how I rock my Project Bottleneck.
If you’ve got one of your own, what’s your process? How do you know when to say No?
LAUNCH PARTY DETAILS!
SAVE THE DATE!
We've had to adjust our launch party date because, guess what, we sold out of our pre-release StokerCon stash—a good problem to have, on the one hand—but the new book shipment has been delayed (cue the sad trombone ...womp womp... )
So here are the updated deets! And I suspect it might actually be a better time for all involved anyway!
Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 730pm
2 Fingers Social
9211 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA 98106
🗺️ MAP TO VENUE
Join PNW horror authors Tamara Kaye Sellman and Clay Vermulm for the official launch of their highly anticipated pod-to-pub short story collection, Rain Shadows (BTRS Books, 2025).
We have a lot planned, including some fun side shows! You’ll have the opportunity to:
🗣️ learn the unique story behind this creative endeavor in an interview with local horror author Luciano Marano
📘hear the authors read snippets from Rain Shadows
📚buy signed copies of Rain Shadows from local indie bookseller Haunted Burrow Books
🎟️win raffle prizes (books and merch!)
🎪enjoy sideshows: 🎴tarot card readings with J.W. Donley, 👁️🗨️spooky artwork from local artist Alexander Sylvester (Mr Voidself), and 💻on-the-spot personalized murder stories from a secret literary assassin...
🍹savor owner-bartender Andrew’s excellent cocktails and nosh on local eats🍔
🍿screen the short indie horror film, "Emiko," by Next Floor Entertainment, directed by Justin Robert Vinall, which features none other than Clay Vermulm himself!
👹celebrate Seattle’s incredible community of PNW horror creatives, folks, and fans
Free to the public! If you’re one of the lucky folks to nab an early copy of Rain Shadows and we haven’t signed it yet, bring it so we can do so!
Hope to see you there!
Click CALENDAR for more or latest info and links regarding the Rain Shadows launch party!
Questions? Need more info? beneaththerainshadow@gmail.com
SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL
Want a free signed print copy of Rain Shadows?
To honor and thank my subscribers here in Substack, I’m drawing a random subscriber’s name on the last day of each month starting in June (ending in November).
That subscriber* will win a free signed print copy of Rain Shadows as well as a locally handmade travel candle featuring a classic PNW scent.
If you’re reading this newsletter and you’re not a subscriber, simply subscribe and you’ll qualify for the drawing! It’s a win-win for you, as my Rhymes With Camera monthly Substack newsletter is free to subscribe to!
*With apologies to my international subscribers, but postal rates make this offer cost prohibitive, so only subscribers based in the US qualify for this monthly drawing.
Note: Each winner is removed from the monthly drawing to ensure six different subscribers receive copies. Subscribers are not obligated to accept the prize and may decline. I reserve the right to redraw for a new winner after one week if I have not heard back from the initial winner. Value of this giveaway, including shipping and handling, is more than $40!
Media updates
Lunatic
This horror-adjacent poetry film based on pagan lunar themes is about two thirds of the way done. I’m hoping to submit it to a local YouTube series by the end of the month
A Word After a Word After a Word
Also about two thirds of the way done: this feminism-inspired poetry film using a 125-year-old silent film interwoven with original poetry and quote panels featuring Margaret Atwood, Ursula K Le Guin, Roxanne Gay, Helen Keller, and others. This one will be submitted to film festivals once ready.
Book updates
Welcome to RainShadowStories.com
We finally made a single location on the web where you can find everything you need to know about Rain Shadows and BTRS Books.
If you’re curious about the book, the imprint, us… or anything related,
GO THERE NOW! You’ll find links for:purchasing Rain Shadows and future BTRS Books
our upcoming (and past) events
the new imprint, BTRS Books
the BENEATH THE RAIN SHADOW podcast
background on both author-podcasters [Clay Vermulm and myself]
a definition of the multimedia venture “pod-to-pub”
a definition for “Pacific Northwest Gothic”
the BTRS Patreon (sign up now, free!)
the Rain Shadows media kit
our linktr.ee accounts
Punk Will Save The World!
I’m super stoked to share that a story of mine will appear in INTERESTING TIMES: A Hopepunk Anthology, forthcoming from END OF THE WORLD PUBLISHING.
Don’t know what hopepunk is? Learn more here.
Has it already been a year???
On July 15, my dark speculative collection, Cul de Sac Stories, will be one year old! I’m proud to report that I’m still selling copies of this volume of short stories and so very happy to see it out in the world. I’ll be taking it with me to the upcoming book sales/signing events this summer and fall.
This collection is a buffet of quirky speculative stories ranging from magical realism to post-apocalypse, from reverse chronology to fairytale mashup, from dystopian to horror, all with a recurring theme: the lies we tell ourselves about safety in exurbia.
If you’d like to buy a signed copy, why not find me in person at one of my upcoming events? Or how about getting a signed copy through my online link?
What’s happening
I’m either a featured author or in attendance at the following events this July and August. Maybe I’ll see you there!
July 10: The Seattle Public Library presents Mira Grant, 7pm, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park [free/registration required; link]
July 10: The HWA presents the monthly Read-A-Roke open mic, 8pm, 2 Fingers Social, West Seattle [free and open to the public; link]
July 11: The Cascade Writers Workshop features Wendy Wagner, followed by open mic, 7p, Grumble and Wine, Bremerton [free/registration required; link]
July 17-18: The Port Townsend Writers Conference presents an open mic and conference bookstore for attendee book sales [open to registered conference attendees; link]
July 20: The HWA booth at the Haunted Farmer’s Market, 11a to 4p, South Tacoma [free and open to the public; link]
July 21: Wendy Wagner in conversation with Isabel Cañas, 7p, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park [free/requires registration; link]
July 25: Stephen Graham Jones in conversation with Sadie Hartmann, 6p, Barnes & Noble Northgate [$25/requires registration; link]
July 26: Two-Hour Transport annual outdoor live performance, 5 to 7p, ampitheater at Magnuson Park [free and open to the public; link]
July 27: The HWA booth at the Haunted Farmer’s Market, 11a to 4p, South Tacoma [free and open to the public; link]
Aug 1-3: West Sound Film Fest vendor booth for BTRS Books, all weekend [open to ticketed festival goers; link]
Aug 10: Rain Shadows Launch Party!, 730p, Two Fingers Social, West Seattle [free and open to the public; link]
Aug 13-17: WorldCon 2025, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle [requires registration; link]
Aug 30: The Seattle Chapter of the HWA presents Seasons of Horror: Summer Scares, 7p, Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland [free and open to the public; link]
WorldCon 2025, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle [requires registration; link]
For more information or updates, check out my detailed calendar
STOKERCON GALLERY
Not a ton of pictures, sorry. And I forgot to get pictures of the BTRS Books table with Rain Shadows for sale! But this was a fantastic event nonetheless and perhaps it’s a good thing that I was too immersed to take pictures.
I met so many amazing folks, including:
famous ones (i.e. Paul Tremblay and Joyce Carol Oates—who I actually also met 30+ years ago in Chicago)
horror writing’s biggest movers and shakers (Johnny Compton, Adam Nevill, Ronald Malfi, Cynthia Pelayo, Pedro Iniguez)
some folks I’ve only known virtually in person, such as Jeff C. Carter, Jon Gensler, Saytchen Maddux-Creech, Jaq Evans…
and so many more that it’s impossible to list them all here!
Sidebar: Planes, trains, automobile, ferries, buses…
It took me 18 hours to get to Stamford from Seattle. I literally went
car to ferry - ferry to bus - bus to light rail - light rail to plane - plane to another plane - another plane to a shuttle - shuttle to commuter rail
I left home at 4pm Pacific, arriving at my Airbnb at 1pm Eastern the next day.
I guess my co-writer pal, Clay, had a 24-hour haul because he lives out in the sticks, so I shouldn’t complain!
Would not recommend traveling to a city without an airport while carrying on books to sell to a convention.
I know I could not check those, given I had connections and if my luggage got lost, that would erase my main purpose for making this haul in the first place.
Also, I had to use my CPAP on the plane. This would not have been a big deal, had the power outlets on the plane been working, but only a handful were. I spent about an hour of that red-eye with a truly caring flight attendant just trying to find a place to plug in.
It was a similar slog back home (sans red-eye), but I checked my luggage on the way back and dealt with the delays as they came.
SeaTac was still reeling from a bomb scare so we deplaned on the tarmac; then, I was given a ride home from my hubs after learning that the ferries were delayed due to a terrible rail accident at the Edmonds dock.
But Stamford was lovely…
…if muggy. The city is charming with a sweet waterfront, bush roses everywhere, and good choices for eating etc. The “No Kings” protests happened there without disruption (I didn’t attend) and the con hotel (where I didn’t stay) seemed sufficiently haunted for horror convention goers (if you know, you know).
Some really cool things I did in Stamford:
Studied Jordan Peele’s story structure
Talked about eco horror with likeminded writers
Tried to solve the world’s problems with Johnny Compton and Peter Rosch
Participated in a recorded podcast diary project for WE BLEED ORANGE AND BLACK
Hung out with an author (Saytchen Maddux-Creech) whose work I first published in Margin over 20 years ago
Told Adam Nevill how funny I found his book, Cunning Folk, to which his reaction was one of pleasant surprise. “You’re the first person to actually catch that,” he told me. “I wrote that to be a dark comedy, but nobody got it.”
Forgot to bring my poems for the open mic, so I read another poet’s work instead, because… poetry
Joined a group on Friday the 13th to do a cemetery ghost walk complete with recording devices and other spirit hunting tools
Sold or swapped almost every book I brought to the con
Watched a horror shorts film festival, Final Frame
Picked up a bunch of new books (just enough to carry home in my luggage, though there were so many more I wanted to buy!)
Book Haul:
Sundown in San Otuela [M.M. Olivas]
StokerCon 2025 Souvenir Anthology
The Willows [Algernon Blackwood]
Necrology [Meg Ripley]
Mexican on the Moon [Pedro Iniguez]
The Gold Persimmon [Lindsay Merbaum]
Serpent’s Wake [L.E. Daniels]
The White Guy Dies First anthology
The Daughters of Block Island [Christa Carmen]
I’m on the fence about attending next year. Both 2026 and 2027 conventions will be held in Pittsburgh. No shade to that city, but that’s a long way to go after Stamford. Next year, I might be on an event moratorium, besides, while I focus on media projects. So it may not be until 2027, when there will ideally be a second Rain Shadows collection forthcoming.
If you went to StokerCon, what was your experience?
Marinated Cauliflower Salad
I am growing a sprouting cauliflower this year. It looks like a pale yellowish broccolini, with long stems terminating in little florets, but it tastes sweet like cauliflower.
I had to harvest a gang of it during our hot spell before going to Stamford to ensure it didn’t bolt, so when I came home from that trip, I had a lot to put to good use in the kitchen.
It roasts brilliantly, and a quick saute in a saucepan also works. But as we look toward a hotter summer, I’m looking for cool side dishes and salads.
After our trip to Vancouver BC, where we ate delicious food at Greek Day on Broadway, I was inspired to make this salad, which puts to use several ingredients from my garden besides the sprouting cauliflower: red onion, spring garlic, parsley, dill, mint, and basil.
For this recipe, you can use an equal amount of regular cauliflower, with the florets cut into small pieces like you’d find in a chopped salad. Make it ahead for optimal marination.
Click here to access this recipe through the dedicated Garden to Table recipe page.
It’s the year’s midpoint, so I look back at what’s happened and look forward to where I’m headed.
You can expect more book promotion and events for Rain Shadows.
I’ll also be taking a second Richard Thomas workshop this fall.
My thoughts continue to focus on filmmaking… however, wherever, and whenever I can.
And around all this busy-ness? The garden, overgrown and fecund, with new plots under construction, and the planning of fall transplants, the raising of the greenhouse/cold frame this autumn, and cover crops in my raised beds to refuel the soil over winter.
I’ve so much to be grateful for, in spite of the state of the world. I’ll take it.
Happy July! ~ Tamara
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Rhymes with Camera blog
Love the peek into your process! I’m a note taker so there’s just a mess of post-it’s scattered about… on paper and in my brain. I’ve been pre-crastinating SubStack stuff by getting my notes and process more organized; intending to use SubStack notes as I develop small ideas and/or kill them quickly, then topics where I have a lot of notes become longer form posts.
So I’m doing a lot of work that isn’t putting words on the page or pressing publish 😂