• Read this: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?288931-Guidelines-for-Participation-in-Outwitting-Writer-s-Block

    before you post.

about the writer's block thing

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Evil Dic

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I've always had a way of dealing with writer's block, in fact several. For one I have been very fortunate and experienced a great deal of bad fortune in life. I take my anger out using the keyboard, and never seem to run out of words or ideas, because words or phrases trigger more memories of past events to add to the book. So I write about things that really happen or true to life, and I totally avoid writer's block. Next I was dealing with not writers block but stress. Because of stress I was unable to even carry thru with thoughts. I'd forget how to type and go completely blank at times, and the more I tried the more stressed out I'd get, when I had notes right in front of me. So I walk 2 to 3 miles a day, usually in the morning to get rid of stress and anxiety, along with muscle tension. Then come home and relax a while, and problem solved as they say. All systems go. That's been a natural cure for a lack of ideas. I also make sure I eat a good diet, and drink usually my weight in ounces of water for proper body function every single day. What does that have to do with anything you ask? Ask your primary care physician, and research the effects of stress.
 

Layla Nahar

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I take my anger out using the keyboard, and never seem to run out of words or ideas, because words or phrases trigger more memories of past events to add to the book. So I write about things that really happen or true to life, and I totally avoid writer's block.

You're lucky. A lot of people take their anger out on themselves.
 

areteus

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Or others...

The walk is a classic way to restart the brain. I usually get most of my ideas while walking the dog or, when working, on the long commute to and from work (I have had a commute that was 2 hours long on a bus - a lot of time to think and make notes)
 

mar quest

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There's a lot more to Writer's Block than lacking ideas. I'm glad you don't suffer from it and that those things you mentioned work for you.
 

areteus

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Yes, sometimes for me it is not a lack of ideas but a combination of either too many ideas to focus on one or an uncertainty that the ideas I have are good enough to bother writing down. These both cause a freezing effect and a lack of motivation to write. The walk helps me to organise thoughts and develop ideas better.
 

blacbird

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I get stymied by the looming futility of trying to get anything accepted for publication. I started a new short just last night, and am sitting here staring at it, wondering What's the use?

caw
 

JC Romel

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I get stymied by the looming futility of trying to get anything accepted for publication. I started a new short just last night, and am sitting here staring at it, wondering What's the use?

caw

The point is that every story is a lesson. Writing is like learning how to play an instrument. Even if your natural talent alone makes you better than most, it still takes a lot of writing before you're publishable. Even the most famous authors (Stephen King, George RR Martin, Ray Bradbury) piled up hundreds and hundreds of rejections along the way. I think it was Bradbury who claims to have received 500 rejections before even his first sale, and I'm sure he received hundreds more before he finally made a name for himself. Kurt Vonnegut got one that said "You have no talent and we suggest you give up writing." Kurt. Vonnegut.

I know it's easier said than done, but you have to let it roll off your back. But even if you do take rejections to heart, don't ever let it stop you from writing.
 

Arkie

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Elizabeth George, in her book "Write Away," made this observation about writers and writer's block: "I believe it's because they don't create their characters in advance and they don't have enough craft in their repertoire.

T. Jefferson Parker made this observation: "When my story stalls out on me, I've played my hand to soon."
 

Wesley Kang

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I think writer's block is also generated from our natural self-doubts and the resistance of the status quo that always tries to stamp out "risky propositions" like writing. Putting yourself out there in your writing is frightening, and there are those nagging little voices inside you that will try to pull you back in from the deep waters. Resist resistance! The deep end is always so much more interesting.
 

Celesta

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That's great! So glad you've found what works for you. I have heard that before that exercise is so beneficial.
 
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