Writers block?

Dungle · Nov 14, 2011

Or trying too hard?
I've been sitting here for almost 2 and a half hours and I cannot think what to do. It's driving me insane.
This is the first time I've come up against this. Usually I can churn something out if I'm feeling slightly stuck, then tweak it the next day or so. But I can't even do that.

Should I leave this for a few days and try and plot out the remainder of my story without trying to let it flow like I have done so far?

There's been things that have stopped me writing before, mainly just not having the time, and that annoyed me enough. But I actually want to write now and it's not happening. I'm sitting here staring into space.

:rant:

mccardey · Nov 14, 2011

Can you go for a walk? Just a quickish one? Or is it night-time for you now?

The main thing is to try not to ruminate on the fact that it isn't working. Detach, if you can - get something else happening physically ...

jaksen · Nov 14, 2011

Go back 'one click' on General Writing Interest and you'll see an entire section full of threads on Writer's Block. Maybe some of that info. and advice from others will be helpful.

CDancourt · Nov 14, 2011

Baking cookies!!! Just kidding. Is it you don't know what to write, or how to write it? The first, you cannot force anything. Go for a walk, read, do something else. The second, maybe try to write it a different angle?
I had that problem finishing my current WIP, and I simply decided to add two characters to the scene and that was it.

cooeedownunder · Nov 14, 2011

Just write over and over.

I can't write. I can't write. I can't write...

... and you'll soon get sick of that and write something else

MysteryRiter · Nov 14, 2011

A walk always helps. It'll clear your head. I wrote a post about curing writers block too. This may help:
http://incessantdroningofaboredwrit.../10/28/dr-hansens-remedies-for-writers-block/

dangerousbill · Nov 14, 2011

Dungle said:
Or trying too hard?
I've been sitting here for almost 2 and a half hours and I cannot think what to do. It's driving me insane.
This is the first time I've come up against this. Usually I can churn something out if I'm feeling slightly stuck, then tweak it the next day or so. But I can't even do that.

I think of it as the tank being dry. It needs to be refilled before I can continue. I find jobs that engage the body without fulling engaging the brain. Driving is one, walking in the desert, gardening, going out for a cup of coffee (alone). Reading something light. The key is being alone with your thoughts, with no urgent goal in sight. Eventually the solutions will present themselves.

Things that don't work: Dinner with other people. Movies. Visiting people. Using the computer. These things engage too many channels into the brain and keep your subconscious from cooking on its own.

Snitchcat · Nov 14, 2011

If you return to the maib page for "Basic Writing Questions", there is a sub-forum up top called "Outwitting Writer's Block". There are a plethora of threads in there that deal with this question.

Good luck!

TheIT · Nov 14, 2011

Also consider whether you've taken a wrong turn in the story. Sometimes if I hit a lot of resistance, it means subconsciously I've recognized I'm on a wrong path.

Another thought: try sneaking up on the problem. That's why I'm calling my NaNo project a "thing" rather than a "novel". Low pressure, therefore no pressure to make the words perfect the first time.

Write the scene after the one that's giving you headaches. Sometimes skipping forward helps you figure out how to fill in the gaps later.

Remember that this is a first draft. In the words of Uncle Jim, "I give you permission to write dreck".

Good luck!

:Sun:

LaneHeymont · Nov 14, 2011

Dungle said:
Or trying too hard?
I've been sitting here for almost 2 and a half hours and I cannot think what to do. It's driving me insane.
This is the first time I've come up against this. Usually I can churn something out if I'm feeling slightly stuck, then tweak it the next day or so. But I can't even do that.

Should I leave this for a few days and try and plot out the remainder of my story without trying to let it flow like I have done so far?

There's been things that have stopped me writing before, mainly just not having the time, and that annoyed me enough. But I actually want to write now and it's not happening. I'm sitting here staring into space.

I used to have this issue too. I just recently figured out reading helps. I will get stuck, leave and read for ten minutes, and my juices are fired up! Maybe that will help.

jjdebenedictis · Nov 14, 2011

When I can't figure out what to write, I've learned that means I need to stop and brainstorm what to do next.

Grab a notebook, sit at a desk, and scribble plans for the story, not an actual scene (although feel free to jot down any bits of dialogue, etc. that seems like good ideas.)

Brain-storming is another way of re-filling the tank, to use DangerousBill's phrase. Right now, nothing is coming because you don't know what comes next. Once you figure that out, the words will flow again.

DragonBlaze · Nov 14, 2011

Kreuse said:
Baking cookies!!! Just kidding.

He's not kidding! Give us the cookies! :evil

The good karma will flow back to you and break your writer's block!

All joking aside, get up and go do something else for a short while. Your mind likely needs a quick refreshing distraction.

mccardey · Nov 14, 2011

Also, you could have an alcohol.

I have done that sometimes.

Having an alcohol doesn't do anything to fix the writer's block, but hey! Party!!!

:partyguy:

ETA: That lonely little party-emoticon-guy just breaks my heart.. You absolutely know no-one's going to turn up to his party, don't you - even with the balloons...? Just the saddest thing...

AutumnWrite · Nov 14, 2011

TheIT said:
Also consider whether you've taken a wrong turn in the story. Sometimes if I hit a lot of resistance, it means subconsciously I've recognized I'm on a wrong path.

This has happened to me several times, sort of written myself into a corner that's not right. Back out, and try again. It's worked for me.

SRHowen · Nov 14, 2011

When I stall on a story I know I am trying to take it in a direction it does not want to go. I back up and reread what I did the day before then try a new scene.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 14, 2011

Write gibberish. Write anything. Write about writer's block.

bearilou · Nov 15, 2011

Normally, I retype the last few pages/paragraphs of my WiP that I'm stuck on. When I'm done retyping it in (no editing, retype word for word), I find I can keep going past that 'sticking' point.

If that doesn't help, I realize that, like TheIT said, I may have taken a wrong turn in the story somewhere and go back to investigate where that might have been.

SRHowen · Nov 15, 2011

I know writers get stuck, I won't say writer's block, personally, I don't believe in it as a condition. You may stall on an idea, so write something else until a fix comes to you, maybe it is a bad idea that just doesn't work so write something else.

You may be over-thinking an idea or scene or setting, so write foolishness until your brain uncramps, play a random match three game for 30 minutes to uncramp the creative side of the brain.

Go back figure out where the story took the turn into the road block and go form there.

Staring at a blank page is just not acceptable--don't accept it as a concept--writer's block that is. Every time I hear the phrase I see an over-dramatic picture of a writer, back of hand to forehead saying, "Oh, thy muse, where art thou?"

Writing is a job. It is creative as well, but it is a process, a job, you wouldn't go to work and stare at the pile of boxes on your stock cart and not unload them because you are not feeling it that day. The same with writing train your mind into when you open that writing program that you write--period.

Writer's block can often be an excuse for being board with the project.

If your write as a hobby, then when you get board with it move on to another.

akbowens · Nov 15, 2011

FWIW, I'll share what has worked for me so far with my limited experience. When outlining my story, I purposely saved some juicy fun scenes for when I got blocked. Thats not to say, the rest of the text is meant to be boring, but I'm sure most writers here would agree there are some characters, some scenes etc. that inspire them.

Dungle · Nov 15, 2011

Some great advice. I just went to bed last night, read for half hour and then thought about my characters until I dropped off. I think I've got to go back a few years in the story and add a bit more to the time they spent together so the reader can know more about their relationship and friendships with others. Then I can add to the bit I'm stuck on which is set around the mid 2000s. I know what I want to do for the present day, almost.

Also, mccardey, I am currently off the drink as it's almost ruined my life. But thanks for the tip

I love your dog, I have a king charles spaniel also, a tri-colour. My gran has a ruby and my mums best friend/my boss has a blenhiem like you. Lovely dogs, albeit not the brightest haha

LadyDae · Nov 15, 2011

Dungle said:
Or trying too hard?
I've been sitting here for almost 2 and a half hours and I cannot think what to do. It's driving me insane.
This is the first time I've come up against this. Usually I can churn something out if I'm feeling slightly stuck, then tweak it the next day or so. But I can't even do that.

Should I leave this for a few days and try and plot out the remainder of my story without trying to let it flow like I have done so far?

There's been things that have stopped me writing before, mainly just not having the time, and that annoyed me enough. But I actually want to write now and it's not happening. I'm sitting here staring into space.

Some people plow through it and it works for them, but writer's block is usually a result of working or thinking to ht's a sign that my brain is mentally drained and I should get on this site and take a break or better yet go work out or watch some television.

The more you force it, the worse it's going to get, especially if trying to force yourself isn't working. Another thing that works for me is a cup of coffee. Somehow that really gets me to moving.

Or you can pretend its a 2k essay that due in less than 48 hours and you haven't started. Lol.

But take a break for a few hours or even a few days if you need to. You'll be ready when you come back to it. Well, that works for me at least.

Belle_91 · Nov 15, 2011

I think sitting there staring at the computer screen for two hours can't be healthy (for your eyesight or writing).

I'm having the same trouble. I have a plot, just can't figure out that opening scene.

I would suggest plotting it out a bit more.

As others have said go for a walk, listen to music, watch TV maybe.

I also think its important not to stress yourself out. Don't tell yourself, "I HAVE to write today".

Dungle · Nov 16, 2011

Belle_91 said:
I think sitting there staring at the computer screen for two hours can't be healthy (for your eyesight or writing).

I'm having the same trouble. I have a plot, just can't figure out that opening scene.

I would suggest plotting it out a bit more.

As others have said go for a walk, listen to music, watch TV maybe.

I also think its important not to stress yourself out. Don't tell yourself, "I HAVE to write today".

I've got in a routine where I work, go to the gym, come home and relax for an hour or so then I write. It's been serving me well for about a month but last night and the night before I struggled with the writing part, which in all fairness upset me.
I play darts at an amateur level and I've suffered from what is known as "dartitus" in the past, where I couldn't release the dart efficiently. It's actualyl a "condition" experienced by many players even at a top level in the sport. It stopped me playing for almost a year. I don't want similar to happen with writing. I know they're different but everything has it's draw backs.

nathanrudy · Nov 16, 2011

I do a few things when I get stuck. Sometimes going back and editing/revising stuff I've already written gets me into the story enough to get me writing. Other times I just have to move on to another section. And my last trick is just to write 200 words and, if they totally suck, delete them.

JayMan · Nov 16, 2011

mccardey said:
Also, you could have an alcohol.

I have done that sometimes.

Having an alcohol doesn't do anything to fix the writer's block, but hey! Party!!!

Hey, I've done some of my best work after having an alcohol!

Well, to be more accurate, one alcohol isn't usually enough to do the trick. I generally prefer to have three alcohols at a time. But any more than that and the writing suffers irreparably. :e2drunk:

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