Recently, I attended a protest rally and took pictures of some clever and inspiring signs. One of my favorites was:

SO MANY ISSUES

SO LITTLE CARDBOARD

The word “Cardboard” was squeezed tightly into a corner at the bottom of the sign, to emphasize the fact that there just wasn’t enough room on that small placard to list every important grievance against our government.

The sentiment struck me as true not only politically, but “writerly,” too. You see, besides feeling swamped by political issues (and I’ll get to that later), I also seem to have too many ideas for writing projects swirling around in my head. Some are already written, some are nearing completion, and one I started yesterday. This morning, I even wrote two haikus before I got out of bed. Each one of these projects is clamoring for its moment in the spotlight (or at least a “like” by an agent).

But I feel like I’m running out of cardboard.

Cardboard: That space in my brain where I churn out half-baked writing ideas that sometimes bear fruit, and other times fade into obscurity. That flimsy container that can feel sharp and in focus one day, and waterlogged or empty the next. That hourglass that seems to be flowing in a downward direction, faster and faster every day.

It would be wonderful if my cardboard would suddenly turn into a bright, flashing neon sign, like the kind on Broadway, one that speaks boldly and proudly that “we have a winner!” “a smash hit!” “a must-read!” 

It would be great if that cardboard would become a billboard that agents would notice as they speed by on the literary highway, taking note of the contact information, and later that night, sending an email asking for a full manuscript.

It would be reassuring if that cardboard were to be waved like a flag by a reader who was moved by it.

It sure would be nice to have an unlimited supply of cardboard, but my brain matter is finite. My cardboard will never stretch. In fact, it can only shrink. So now I know what I need to do:

I need to write smaller!

Yes, I need to choose just one, or possibly two, of my books, and focus on getting them published.

And also, does anyone know where I can find MORE CARDBOARD?

Note: See my PHOTOS link in the Menu for signs – cardboard and otherwise – from the 50501 (50 protests, 50 states, 1 day) rally in Rochester, NY, 4/19/25. 

P.S. Speaking of politics, I’ve found it helpful in this political climate to keep a second piece of cardboard in my brain just for politics, and to put only one issue on it for now: the environment. That way maybe I can focus my energy and hopefully be effective. The job I’ve assigned myself is to read up on the science behind climate change, and to report out to my group (a subcommittee of Indivisible) on local environmental actions. Reading and writing … I can’t seem to get away from either one.

Thanks to Rick Steves for his thoughtful and honest post about authoritarianism yesterday, which inspired me to veer into the political realm today. I urge you all to read it.

Featured image by ColiN00B at Pixabay.com

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