Good actors can display emotions at will, as if they simply flip a switch. Their emotional demonstrations appear effortless, but they are not. The perfect combination of subtle changes in the mouth, eyes, cheeks, forehead, and manner of speaking occur only after repetitive practice and good coaching. Usually. But not always. Some people just have the natural ability to flip and emotional switch in their heads, triggering all the right reflexes. The same is true of writers. Some are just naturally talented. Others need enormous volumes of practice. I claim membership in the latter group, which is why I am writing this mindless little piece and why I continue struggling against a tide of emotions telling me I’m just not a natural and, therefore, ought to give up. I’m neither a natural nor a quitter, though, so I slog forward in the muck and will continue to do so until I find that switch, hidden somewhere inside my head.
