Writers Block

[cmi0616]

I realize i'm not the first person to ever have this problem, but simply put i can't write. Well, scratch that. I can. But everything i've written lately is either interchangeable with the last poem i wrote or full of cliches to the point where i scrap the whole thing completely.

Any suggestions/ideas?

[Noir]

Take a break, wait until inspiration hits again!

[Magdalen]

1. Type or write out a classic poem of at least 20 lines in length (not one of your own).
2. Proof it, making sure there are no errors or typos.
3. Read it aloud. If you become inspired before you finish reading aloud,
3a. DO NOT STOP reading until you finish the piece.

If you are not inspired to write something of your own at this point, repeat steps 1-3a.

[Steppe]

I spend a lot of time in libraries and on internet looking at pictures and reviewing the thousands of my own. So much inspiration from a picture. Also try to put some music on low for background.

Think of catagories, nature, landscape, old memories, current events, people you meet, Christmas, seasons, etc. Give it a try.

[CDSinex]

Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream …

Seriously, I read books on Zen, Thoreau, or things that put me in the mood for the style of poetry I write. Input + Insight = Output. There are no dry spells, only research sabbaticals. :D

Don’t worry about it.

[whacko]

Hey cmi,

It could be that you're staying too close to a particular theme. So you could maybe try going for something at odds with the way you feel. Play Devil's advocate, see if that stirs things up.

Magdalen's idea is a goodie too. But I'd go a stage further. Don't type or write out a classic poem of your taste. Pick something you've heard about but never really studied. There's some nice stuff in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

But we all go through these slumps. You'll get by it in the end.

Regards

Whacko

[poetinahat]

Great ideas so far... I'll chime in with two more:

1) Do some critting in the Critique forum (maybe you already have been, in which case, keep it up!). Reading others' poems, and putting into words what you like and don't like about them, can be very helpful in thinking about what you might like to write... or what you don't want to write.

2) Pick a poetic form, any form. Put words into it that fit the form. It may not make sense, but just fit the rhyme scheme, then start playing with it. Something may evolve. Or, again, it might jar something loose in your brain that's totally unrelated, but might be the start of something great.