Writing blockage

[xenalin]

How do you guys get over writers block? If you even get one?

I've had it for at least 3-4 years, and it's like I've told everything I have to say. I can sit with a blank word document up on my computer and I just sit there, nothing ever gets out. I can sit for hours with it and nothing happens and I just get frustrated.
Then sometimes I can get a short paragraph out and then I get blocked again. I think I've tried everything you're supposed to do, and then some.

I used to write fanfiction, and I was pretty good at it. At least I thought so, and some of the people reviewing thought so as well. But now. I've not published anything on the fanfic site for years. Unless you count a short chapter of my newest TV-show addiction.

So, what do you do to get over writers block?

[BlueLotus]

Xen, first things first RELAX!
It will never get easier if you work yourself up into a lather over it.

I spent a year once where I wrote exactly 3 words. "I hate this!"

Take a shower, read a good book, watch a stupid movie, call a pal and shoot the chit.
Basically anything BUT think about the block.

Now after a few days of not thinking at all, when you wake up try to remember your dreams, Write about them describe them if for no other reason than your writing again. Who cares if it will go anywhere, you not "stuck" anymore, you have words and your using them.

I don't know what genre you write in but I have quite a few scenes in my Fantasy-Sci-Fi novel that started as a dream that I tweaked to fit the story, and if there was no tweaking the dream I tweaked the book it's self.

If you are one of the many who can't recall a dream sit around daydreaming Not only will you feel better, but it will help get the juices flowing. Write them down AFTER you are done.
All work and no play... you know the rest.
Try that, when you over worry something and say "I don't have anything to write about" it sorta becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
Hope that helps.

[xenalin]

Thank you very much for that advice. I highly appreciate it.
I did try the whole not thinking about writing thing though. For years. =/ But I get what you're saying

[Richard]

Try writing something completely different from what you are thinking about now.

Try reading something completely different from what you are trying to write now.

For example, if you want to write Fantasy/Fiction, try reading a western novel. Then, twist the western into your Fan/Fic in your mind. Or do it with a comic book, or romance.

Every story has already been written. There are no new stories. Even movies have much success with remakes and variations of previous versions.

Go in the complete opposite or unknown direction from what you are used to, a direction you would never consider, then make the story. I'll bet it would stimulate your mind.

[xenalin]

Ah yes thanks Richard

Actually I did start writing something that sounds like a horror story earlier. I'm already almost 600 words up. I've never written horror before. Or of it's a criminal thriller thing. Same thing, never written it before. I hardly ever read it either.

[Richard]

Oct 10, 2011 16:12:34 GMT -5 xenalin said:

Ah yes thanks Richard

Actually I did start writing something that sounds like a horror story earlier. I'm already almost 600 words up. I've never written horror before. Or of it's a criminal thriller thing. Same thing, never written it before. I hardly ever read it either.

I was also thinking about crossing genres to stimulate writers block.

Something like the TV show Firefly which mixes westerns and space, or the movie Cowboys and Aliens (same thing).

Trying this with different styles could produce some interesting concepts and stories.

[xenalin]

Crossing genres. I could do that I think. I love historical themes so ... history mixed with romance/horror or something of the likes .. or western/sci-fi. Interesting. I will look into it

Thanks for all the advices guys. Highly appreciate it. If you have more, I'd love to hear them

[BlueLotus]

I once sat down and just wrote each and every word that popped into my head. I did this for about three hours, at the end I found I had the beginnings of a SS. Somehow or another the words started making sense together...