Writer's Block

[thelionsroar1]

Anyone have any ideas and/ or suggestions for dealing with writer's block?

I need inspiration!

 

[shinbits]

engaging in some form of media that u don't usually engage in, may be able to help. for example, listen to a type of music you normally wouldn't listen to or watch a movie genre you're normally not into (I suggest one in a foriegn language to further expand your range of interests).

 

[writergirl4god]

I've heard it said that there is no such condition as 'writer's block'. There can be a variety of reasons that you're not writing - lack of motivation, procrastination, fear, etc. (For me it's usually fear - I'm a perfectionist.) I know this sounds glib and I'm really not trying to be; I've struggled with this in the past too and it does feel real and awful. But honestly, there is no other profession where you could get away with that, right? You couldn't call your employer and say that you're having 'worker's block' so you won't be coming in. Those of us who write professionally (or want to), can't let ourselves off the hook like that either.

The best remedy I've found for writer's block is to show up consistantly and write. Set aside an hour (or more) to do NOTHING ELSE - shut the door, turn off the phone and TV, don't go on the internet. Do not let yourself off the hook if it's difficult after 10 minutes - make yourself spend the time writing. It doesn't have to be good writing - in fact that first day it probably won't be. If you can't think of anything else to say, write about how it feels to be stuck, and why that might be. Or describe your surroundings, using interesting 'word pictures'. Repeat this process the next day. When you start 'showing up' every day and just doing it, you will find that it gets easier and you'll get back into your groove.

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes!

 

[Big Mouth]

I've heard it said that there is no such condition as 'writer's block'. There can be a variety of reasons that you're not writing - lack of motivation, procrastination, fear, etc. (For me it's usually fear - I'm a perfectionist.) I know this sounds glib and I'm really not trying to be; I've struggled with this in the past too and it does feel real and awful. But honestly, there is no other profession where you could get away with that, right? You couldn't call your employer and say that you're having 'worker's block' so you won't be coming in. Those of us who write professionally (or want to), can't let ourselves off the hook like that either.

The best remedy I've found for writer's block is to show up consistantly and write. Set aside an hour (or more) to do NOTHING ELSE - shut the door, turn off the phone and TV, don't go on the internet. Do not let yourself off the hook if it's difficult after 10 minutes - make yourself spend the time writing. It doesn't have to be good writing - in fact that first day it probably won't be. If you can't think of anything else to say, write about how it feels to be stuck, and why that might be. Or describe your surroundings, using interesting 'word pictures'. Repeat this process the next day. When you start 'showing up' every day and just doing it, you will find that it gets easier and you'll get back into your groove.

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes!

I have found the best way to combat writer's block is to write in your non-traditional way. If you normally do a narrative, try writting poety, dialouge or even a scene in diary entry form to get the juices flowing. Finding another way in is helpful.

Also doing something else creative with words, like Boggle, will get you thinking and might help.

 

[FireRock]

I like what writergirl4god wrote about "showing up" everyday and writing, no matter what. It's kind of like going to work everyday...some days you don't care, some days you really do not want to go, and some days you go and find out you had a pretty good shift.

I've been unable to write for at least couple of years, and by that I mean I haven't been able to write more than maybe a page or so on any one thing. I write fiction novels and film scripts mainly, so it's been frustrating. Writing something only to look at it shortly after starting and feel like the creative well for this story has completely dried up. *sigh*

Personally, I've been trying my best to write everyday. Even if it's only for half an hour, I try to write. For me, it definitely needs to be at least half an hour, otherwise it doesn't give me enough time to really focus and get into the mode of writing. I've also started doing this thing where I look up interesting words that come to my mind on Google and Wikipedia, then look through for other words or topics that sound interesting, just kind of clicking and guessing as I go. I write down words/titles/phrases/whatever that catch my eye and see if anything develops out of it.

Example from this week:
Someone mentioned "goggles" in a writing forum that I sometimes visit.
That made me think of how cool goggles are and how some of my favorite character wear goggles.
So I went to Google Images and typed in "goggles."
I looked through some of the different things they had until I noticed a term - "Steampunk."
(You can look it up if you would like.) =)
I typed "steampunk" into Wikipedia to get a little more info.
It wasn't striking anything in particular...like scratching really close to the itch on your back, but not quite reaching it.
But then I came upon the term"cyberpunk."
I looked it up and read a little about it.
That made me think of a movie and a couple of anime shows with a cyberpunk feel to them.
Looked those up and got a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
That warm fuzzy feeling ended up being "I want to try writing something about this kind of thing." =D
So now I'm poking around trying to work up thoughts and plot ideas during my writing exercises about this cyberpunk-ish idea.

I generally need some sort of jumping off point, no matter how small. If I can get just the right jumping off point, I'm usually content for at least a month of writing, even if it doesn't turn into anything. =)

 

[jayhere]

Reading helps me with "writer's block" - pick a short story or short novel, shut away all distractions, ask God for guidance and read. When inspiration happens, write down your thoughts, continue reading.

 

[keith99]

For some cases 'ignoring' the problem can solve things.

Usually a write knows the story they want to tell, often the block is geting started. Sometimes the problem is just that, getting started, how can they lay the foundation and get their hero on the road with the bad guys in pursuit.

So just skip (for now) how it started and start with the Hero already on the road!

Similar things apply if the block is part way through a story and it really is just this piece.

Surprisingly often either the writer finds that when they come back the block is gone or that the section can remain skipped (or not as fleshed out as they previously thought).

 

[FireRock]

Very true, keith99! I've had that happen numerous times before.

I really like how you included "ask God for guidance" in your post, jayhere! With so much going on in our minds as writers, that can be a difficult thing to do. Just calm ourselves down and let God guide us.

 

[Michael Snow]

Writergirl gives us excellent advice.

One writer said that writing is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.
"The hardest part of writing is attaching the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair."

On the inspiration part, always have a notebook with you or nearby, even by your bed. When you get an idea, write it down right then.

That was the advice of an author of over 30 books. Once at a lecture, I was sitting near him when he began jotting down some notes. Wondering what inspiration had struck him I looked at his notes: ...extra brown pants, brown shoes....

He was making a packing list for his next trip.

 

[liesje]

I write some of my stories in a completely random order.

I think one of the best cures for writers block is a shower. Honestly. Gets the creative juices flowing again, or take a walk or read a travel magazine to get ideas...

 

[Billnew]

For some cases 'ignoring' the problem can solve things.

Usually a write knows the story they want to tell, often the block is geting started. Sometimes the problem is just that, getting started, how can they lay the foundation and get their hero on the road with the bad guys in pursuit.

So just skip (for now) how it started and start with the Hero already on the road!

Similar things apply if the block is part way through a story and it really is just this piece.

Surprisingly often either the writer finds that when they come back the block is gone or that the section can remain skipped (or not as fleshed out as they previously thought).

I have had this happen, I get blocked, not because of some thought condition, but that I wrote myself into a corner.
I usually walk away from the that story and work on another, it lets me think without preasure, so I can undo something, or find a window in the corner that will let me out.(Without being to unbelievable.)

 

[billymissouri]

If you get stuck on a story, try doing something else. Try writing a review of the book you just read, or edit an old story.

 

[noweeds]

Maybe you can do the best of both worlds. Wait patiently on inspiration. I found that remembering the verse, "wait patiently on the Lord" has really helped me to relax and when you start waiting it's like He shows up just then. If you don't get the inspiration you need donpt neglect practicing your art. Keep writtin and researcbing.

Everyone has brought up great points. We have to practice our skills. Grammer, spelling, word choice, and all the great things we use are skills that must be honed. I like the idea about randomly researching things to expand your mind. The Lord will use anything around us to speak and so we gotta give Him ample material. Though, that doesn't mean He's limited to what we know. And chilling, relaxing, ignoring the problem. It lets your mind empty itself of all the clutter.

Word to all the people posting. This has definitely given me a lot of ideas on how to be a better writer as a whole as well as getting through writers block. Thanks guys!

 

[Gianna Daniels]

I have writer's block everyday I am trying to write short stories like I used to and I can't think I need some opinions on topics or ideas what to write! Feedback please Gianna on here or email me gswimmer2440@yahoo.com