Literary Constipation

semmie · Apr 22, 2010

Honestly.

Tonight it occurred to me that I feel constipated as far as writing goes. I'm always taking in ideas, sounds, words, images; but everything seems stuck in my bowels.

What do you do when everything seems stuck? What works for you?

Mom'sWrite · Apr 22, 2010

A little trick I picked up from Uncle Jim, try typing out the first chapter of a book that makes you want to be the author's baby-mama (even if you're a guy.)

hannah_92 · Apr 23, 2010

I use a slightly unorthodox method - I leave the particular pice that I'm working on and go and write something else for an hour, day, or however long I need to. Even if the other piece is just a random chunk of work which I'm nver going to do anything with. I find that this helps me to relax and stop over-thinking things. When I go back to my other piece I feel refreshed and ready to go again.

brainstorm77 · Apr 23, 2010

I stop for a bit. This allows me to think and brainstorm my way to the next bit.

Alwoody · Apr 23, 2010

I listen to music. Sometimes the feel or lyrics of the music helps jiggle things loose. Think of it as mental laxative.

shaldna · Apr 23, 2010

go and do something else

Danthia · Apr 23, 2010

I read books or writers I love. It always reminds me how much I love stories and gets me jazzed again.

On the writing side, sometimes I just play with the notes. Instead of trying to write a chapter, I just summarize the story or create back story or whatever comes to mind. If I'm stuck, a lot of times it's because I don't have a critical piece yet I need to write that story. Once I find it, I get unstuck.

CaroGirl · Apr 23, 2010

Exercise and prune juice.

bearilou · Apr 23, 2010

I do something that will keep me away from the computer for longer than 15 minutes. It takes about that long for my brain to release its deathgrip and suddenly I'm filled with ways out of my conundrum, whilst being elbow deep in cleaning the bathtub.

Libbie · Apr 23, 2010

I read something that is guaranteed to blow my mind and inspire me, even if I've read it several times before. Reading time is precious for me, and I don't want to waste it on something that's not going to put me in awe of the art form and show me new things, even when I am familiar with the text. For me, it's The Great Gatsby or one of Vladimir Nabokov's books. I read the whole thing, or I flip around and read random scenes. Then I go for a long walk and then take a long shower.

That usually does it.

Lydia Sharp · Apr 23, 2010

DeleyanLee · Apr 23, 2010

Usually when this happens to me, what I need to write hasn't processed through my unconscious-creative mind well enough for my conscious mind to find words to write down yet.

So I go do something else. Watch TV. Crossword puzzles. Solitaire. Crochet. Read. Chat. Post at AW. Nap. Laundry. Ebay. Anything. Whatever I can keep my conscious mind distracted with so it's not worrying at the unconscious-creative mind like a bone and keeping it from doing its job.

Stressing over it only makes it worse. It'll be there and wonderful when it's ready, as long as I chill and trust myself.

C.M.C. · Apr 23, 2010

I absolutely believe in taking breaks. If you don't have anything you want to write, don't feel the need to keep writing just for the sake of it. You'll be happier without the pressure.

Margarita Skies · Apr 23, 2010

I just listen to some music and usually within a few minutes I am back to work. By the way, the way that you refer to this is hilarious!

"Literary constipation."

semmie · Apr 23, 2010

Great ideas, everyone!

I am happy to report...

I pooped!

All it took for me last night was a recognition that I was stuck, and then a change of scenery. I moved, and I wrote, and now I am happily on my way again.

Literary Constipation

semmie

barefooted

Mom'sWrite

Service with a smile

hannah_92

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

Alwoody

Back for another round

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Danthia

CaroGirl

Living the dream

bearilou

DenturePunk writer

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Lydia Sharp

for the love of love

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

C.M.C.

Archetype

Margarita Skies

semmie

barefooted