writing
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Post by writing on Jan 11, 2012 19:31:54 GMT -5
How do you guys deal with writer's block?
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horseman
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Post by horseman on Jan 11, 2012 22:00:51 GMT -5
I usually go for a walk along the river, with my wife and dog, and try to forget about the book for a bit, or sometimes I just continue writing the first thing that comes to mind, for a chapter or two. I figure I can touch it all up in the editing process. Sometimes I come up with some great stuff and Im not really trying, I'm just trying to get through the block. Another good way is to just put it away for a bit, and do something else. I believe I'm quoting Richard in saying that.
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Post by joshuachrisstoff on Jan 17, 2012 10:46:34 GMT -5
Horseman is quite right there, basically.
There is not never been no such fing as writer's block. Unless you mean the one they put your head on b4 the axe is lowered, of course.
I have had creative phases, which I call them, where I can't stop writing. Hour upon hour, day upon day! I have a lot of spare time and am not lumbered with work commitments and such like. I had one creative phase that lasted close to two full weeks and I wrote some of the best stuff I have every written.
Currently, you would say that I am in writer's block and have been here for a few months. Every time I go near any piece of work, I maybe type a line and then delete as unworthy and then go back into revision of previous works. I think the writing craft is in all of us to a certain extent or other. I think many people could write a certain type of book but that doesn't appeal to them so they don't write at all. Romance maybe like that. A lot of people write Romance but also, a lot of talented writers seem to have a snobbery position about Romance and won't go near it.
I write covert spec ops, and I love it. I have tried crime, couldn't do that, tried Romance and that just turned out as smut. I had one spell I called a "dark period', I got told to shelve that, it was rather too dark.
I liked what the Horseman wrote about taking the dog for a walk by the river, oh yeah, and the wife.. I think that a change of activity may help to move your point of view. I have suggested to people to go outside, in daylight, find a flower and write one page describing that flower, all that come and visit it, treat like it is a living thing, which it is. Many would say "It is a yellow Daffodil". I think that could suggest the class and style that is writing. When it all flows and things fall into place for you with a story, I am not so sure we all appreciate that much. Once we have found our niche, so to speak, we often say we are wholly blocked cos we can't write about it when we desperately want or need to. Deadlines etc.
The walk away is good to. maybe go and mow your lawns, or go down the road to an old person's house and offer to mow their lawns. Or just sit with them and have a cup of tea or coffee. You maybe very surprised what very old people have seen and done in their lives. Around 1980 I talked with an old man that lived down the road. He was a merchant seaman in the war. He was hit with mustard gas at one stage. That is WW1, btw!!! He must have been born around 1900, maybe a year or two earlier. He had seen Steam Trains come. He worked in a petrol station who sold petrol in wooden crates with 4 x 5 gallon cans in them. He saw cars come along. He saw radio arrive, TV arrive...
I bet there is a little old lady or man who lives within spitting distance of you who would love to have a cup of coffee or tea once a month and a bit of a chat! Even venture into an old peoples home, or a war veterans home. There is knowledge and wisdom all over the place, just waiting on us to trip over it!
The motivation is out there, and REMEMBER, if writing was EASY everyone would be DOING IT! <GRIN>
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Post by laughinjim on Jan 18, 2012 0:50:14 GMT -5
Get the piece off of the hard drive, put it on a CD or flash drive and let it ferment for about four months at least. If you're working on a deadline, I don't know what to tell you. If you have the freedom and enough ideas to have ten or twelve pieces working, you can always stop one and pick up another with a fresh outlook. It almost always works. Reading a story six months after you put it away makes it look totally new and ideas start to flow again.
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neonkitty
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Post by neonkitty on Jan 23, 2012 0:56:34 GMT -5
What exactly is writer’s block? If you take a look at the Wiki page on writer’s block you will see that there are many different definitions. Some people consider writer’s block is when society gets in the way of your dreams. Others consider it a side effect of depression. However, for the purpose of this post we will consider that writer’s block is when you simply cannot think of a new idea.
How to overcome writer’s block 1. Get up and get out Sometimes writer’s block comes when you have been sitting in the same seat looking at the same screen for way too long. The best thing you can do in this situation is get up out of your seat and get out of the office and go for a walk. Sometimes a simple change in scenery is all you need to get over that mental block. 2. Read, read, read All of the best authors and writers in history did a lot of reading. The best movie makers watch a lot of movies. If you are having trouble getting out some new ideas it is a good idea to read some new material. Look both inside and outside your own industry.
3. Clear your mind Sometimes the best thing you can do is clear your mind of all the clutter and stress that is floating around. It is these extra thoughts that often create the block. Sometimes writer’s block isn’t about having no thoughts, it is about having too many thoughts.
Meditation is a good way to clear your mind. Take a look at this post for some ideas about relaxing and letting go of your thoughts.
4. Talk to someone else Sometimes it is a really good idea to get a new perspective on what you are trying to do. Ring up a work colleague or a family member and ask them to help you brain storm for a few moments. Nine times out of ten the person will be thrilled that you called them and the session will end up giving you a few new ideas. 5. Get back to what inspires you If you think about it there is usually a long term reason you are doing what you are doing. For example, you might want to become a lawyer because you think Alan Shore in Boston Legal is a really good guy. Or you might want to become a doctor because you want to be just like the gals in Grey’s Anatomy. Or maybe you have a more solid motivation!
Whatever inspires you it is a good idea to go back and look at it when you are experiencing writer’s block. When I am struggling to find something to write I like to read a book by the Dalai Lama. 6. Open yourself up This idea is bordering being a little bit too fruity but sometimes it really does work. Often times one can sit in one’s chair and just open up to the world. Let thoughts and emotions come and go naturally and see what happens. If you are open to all forms of inspiration sometimes an idea will hit you when you least expect it.
This is certainly a better frame of mind to be in than sitting there all tight and agitated that you cannot find anything to write about and are wasting precious writing time. Try opening up and see what inspiration hits you.
7. Just do it
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Post by Christie Bremmer on Jul 4, 2012 22:40:23 GMT -5
I've been plagued by block or whatever you want to call it for ages. Anybody else reach the point where they don't want to write anymore?
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Post by jacklawson on Jul 9, 2012 17:57:37 GMT -5
I've been plagued by block or whatever you want to call it for ages. Anybody else reach the point where they don't want to write anymore? I used to be driven by the lure of having a best seller, but now even a dreamer like me realizes in the present state of the pub industry, it just ain't gonna happen. There goes the incentive.
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thedraasen
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The Draasen
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Post by thedraasen on Jul 29, 2012 4:57:16 GMT -5
When writers block strikes me, it is usually when I am working with a specific chapter that I do not know where to go with. When it happens, I usually decide between two things. Take a break and wait for the Muse to return, or work on a different chapter I know where I am going with.
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Lily
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Post by Lily on Jul 29, 2012 15:28:52 GMT -5
When writers block strikes me, it is usually when I am working with a specific chapter that I do not know where to go with. When it happens, I usually decide between two things. Take a break and wait for the Muse to return, or work on a different chapter I know where I am going with. I think every case of block calls for a different solution. Sometimes, we have to simply force ourselves to write, and then the Muse kicks in. At other times, it's better to take a break. Writers do suffer from burnout, and need time to recharge their batteries.
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avery
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Post by avery on Aug 7, 2012 16:05:10 GMT -5
I don't find forcing myself to write has the desired effect. The output is awful.
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oracle
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Post by oracle on Aug 11, 2012 14:20:05 GMT -5
I usually just chill and wait for the muse to guide me.
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oracle
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Post by oracle on Aug 26, 2012 22:05:53 GMT -5
But lately she hasn't been guiding me. lol
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Lily
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Post by Lily on Jan 18, 2013 11:51:01 GMT -5
I always advice; Tell what the story is about in three sentences. When you can do this, you will know your story. It’s the same three, or four sentences you see on the back jackets of books. Amen to that. Good advice.
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Post by jackharper on Jan 25, 2013 7:57:13 GMT -5
A few good ways to work past writer’s block are, the obvious, forcing yourself to write. Even if you don’t like what comes out, at least you are writing and getting ideas flowing. Another is to go over notes and read what you have to see if anything sparks in your brain. Another method is talking to other writers or interactive writing. Let another writer help by having them start a plot line and building on it together. Look up writing prompts online and get the beginning of ideas to work on yourself.
I keep a journal, this ensures that I write practically every day, even if it is just a few sentences. At least my mind is still functioning in writing, and it is a good way to get ideas, because the best ideas are taken right from your own life. Just chronicling what happened each day helps give ideas and bring great plot lines into stories.
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Post by bpublisher on Feb 3, 2013 13:01:46 GMT -5
Think a story out to its conclusion before you start writing. Make a jillion notes. Shuffle them around. Do this, and you will always know where your story is going. Now write the story. Take no notice of spelling, grammar, and punctuation…you will correct these things after your first, or second rewrite. During the rewrite, remove, words, parts, even full chapters that do not help the story. Don’t destroy these unused parts…they will one day be good for other stories you write. Set the story aside for a few months. When you read it again…you will be surprised how much talent you never thought you had.
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