At my wits end . . .

emilycross · Oct 9, 2009

Basically, i'm at my wits end.

For the past year i've been doing a very intense, time consuming course, with plenty of academic writing. Although i really want to be a writer, i just havent been able to actually WRITE! I never thought that this might be a result of writer's block - i always thought that the course was just consuming all my time and energy (and it was). so i planned, as soon as i was finished the course, i was going to write like a mad woman

almost three months since the course, and i literally haven't jotted down a word of anything - neither poetry, novel or short!

Looking through the threads i wandered onto 'fear of writing' website and basically i think this sums up me:

A closet writer is someone who dreams of being a writer but has been procrastinating about getting started. Or has lots of false starts. Or, is already secretly writing but doesn't admit it to anyone.

In my head i KNOW BIC is the only way to go - that i have to make myself sit down and type, but all i'm getting is a blank page. . .
I know i should be ok with making stupid mistakes and writing crap so i can get out of this rut, but easier said then done . . .

that little voice of self-doubt just won't shut up

Anyhoo sorry about the whinginess of this post, i just wanted to vent and see if anyone else has felt this way before? and how did you get over the lovely combo of self-doubt ala procrastination Writers Block?

coryleslie · Oct 9, 2009

I've been in this place, too. Wrapped up in school with no drive to get words to paper. I've had two solutions that broke me out of it.

1) An idea came to me that I HAD to get on paper. There was no way I COULDN'T be writing. Maybe the idea you're working with is one you're not passionate about. Read, watch movies, people watch. Whatever you need to do to get inspired. Because when you fall in love with the idea, there won't be any stopping you.

2) Set up times to write, a designated place to write, and then DON'T connect to the internet. The internet and research is my downfall so I write at Starbuck's where I'm unwilling to pay the fee to connect. Then I sit at my laptop, put on some music that might inspire me, stare at the people around me, and maybe even eavesdrop a little. Make up a story about the people across the room. Make a list of ideas you want to explore. If you're fingers are tapping away on the keyboard, you might just come across a goldmine.

backslashbaby · Oct 9, 2009

All I can say is I write something short and fun at times like that. Or even just bits and pieces done at cafes about the weather or patrons or something to get me going.

And read something really cool and creative, in your genre. That always gives me something.

Good luck

emilycross · Oct 9, 2009

Thank you both for your advice!!

I'm definitely going to try and set up an established time and not 'put pressure' on myself.

Especially concerning the internet!!!

Kitara · Oct 17, 2009

Hi Emily -

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a great work book for getting to the bottom of what's blocking you and "recovering your creative self". I started it with a friend, then she fell behind and I waited for her to catch up, and never got back to it, but it is worth it! I am restarting tonight actually (just decided this).

If you can find a writing partner, that may help too. It was great for me when I had a house-mate who also like to write and we would encourage each other. I think that was part of me joining this forum actually, to be around people who like to write again

Hope to see ya around and good luck!

wittyusernamehere · Oct 17, 2009

Have been there and felt that! Two books that really really helped me get out of that place were "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott, and "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg.

It might seem like reading is a procrastination from writing, and that is true. That said, I also put off writing for a long time doing other academia, and by the time I had mental capacity/actual time to write, the fantasy of writing was so huge in my head I was immobilized. Both of those books helped dismantle the huge idea of writing down into what I could actually feel safer starting with (if that makes sense). Anyway, hope it helps.

Wayne K · Oct 17, 2009

I don't get writers block because I'll sit and write crap for hours. Write your thoughts or dreams, blog, write Vogon poetry, anything. If it's there it will come to you eventually, but not unless the fingers are hitting the keys.

Good luck.

emilycross · Oct 18, 2009

wittyusernamehere said:
That said, I also put off writing for a long time doing other academia, and by the time I had mental capacity/actual time to write, the fantasy of writing was so huge in my head I was immobilized. Both of those books helped dismantle the huge idea of writing down into what I could actually feel safer starting with (if that makes sense). Anyway, hope it helps.

Thank you everyone! I'll definitely check out these books, Witty - this is exactly how i feel at the moment, but i'm going to make myself BIC and check out these books!

Thanks everyone

At my wits end . . .

emilycross

is away with the fairies

coryleslie

Has anyone seen the sun?

backslashbaby

*

emilycross

is away with the fairies

Kitara

I do believe in Faries!

wittyusernamehere

Wayne K

emilycross

is away with the fairies

At my wits end . . .

is away with the fairies

Has anyone seen the sun?

~~~~*~~~~

is away with the fairies

I do believe in Faries!

is away with the fairies

*