Dealing With Writer's Block

black winged fighter · Mar 6, 2005

When the Block strikes, I usually have a fixed pattern I can go through to keep it from hampering me too long. However, sometimes this doesn't work, and I find myself at a loss for ideas as to how to deal.

So, I'm curious: how does everyone get their minds going and their fingers typing?

Dev · Mar 6, 2005

Even though I'm usually pretty disciplined at BIC, sometimes the words don't come as quickly, or they don't sound "true." That's my Writer's Block, and to get around it, I need to recharge. I can either take a few days off from writing altogether, or (more often) work on something different. When I feel that all my pistons aren't firing on the novel, I find it refreshing to put it aside for a day or two and just go for the "immediate gratification" of writing a short story. It's a good way to work out peripheral ideas that come up.

--Dev

zornhau · Mar 6, 2005

I'm an obsessive outliner, so I usually don't get blocked. When I do, I usually find the problem is at some level of the outline, fix that and rewrite. The big lesson I've learned is don't waste time tinkering with a broken scene - it's quicker to bin it and start again.

That said, I'm utterly blocked right now. I'm ill and my muse has simply fled, probably dirven off by my gargantuun sneezes....

Coco82 · Mar 6, 2005

I used to have that problem when I started writing stories. I do now to a certain extent, but am able to overcome it by refocusing myself and not letting myself get sidetracked w/superfulous things in a given story.

black winged fighter · Mar 6, 2005

zornhau said:
That said, I'm utterly blocked right now. I'm ill and my muse has simply fled, probably dirven off by my gargantuun sneezes....

It's funny, but usually a flu leads to a writing spree, for me. Perhaps my muse is a sadist, and makes me ill to inspire me.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 6, 2005

Writer's block

black winged fighter said:
When the Block strikes, I usually have a fixed pattern I can go through to keep it from hampering me too long. However, sometimes this doesn't work, and I find myself at a loss for ideas as to how to deal.

So, I'm curious: how does everyone get their minds going and their fingers typing?

I believe real writer's block is extremely rare, and it's a psychological affliction. I don't think what we call writer's block is actually writer's block at all.

I know "writer's block" is a fairly modern invention. There's a very good article on the subject in The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040614fa_fact

My own opinion is that writer's block is only an unwillingness to do the hard work. I've found that if you sit down and write everyday, writer's block isn't a problem. The cure for "writer's block" is to write, and there's always something to write.

If you believe in writer's block, then it exists. If you don't believe in writer's block, it doesn't exist. I think it really is this simple.

black winged fighter · Mar 6, 2005

Jamesaritchie said:
I believe real writer's block is extremely rare, and it's a psychological affliction. I don't think what we call writer's block is actually writer's block at all.

Writer's Block isn't just an internal inhibition, though. Sometimes outside influences can affect creativity. For instance, an upcoming meeting is making you nervous, and therefor it's difficult to focus on your typing. Or you've lost someone.

Sometimes a computer crash is the culprit; I once lost an entire WIP due to a crash. It was difficult to put it back together, and it left me discouraged and unsure. I was willing to do the work - and I did, for hours - but the end result laft me dissatisfied and questioning my talent. Needless to say, that story has died. The spark was gone.

karenranney · Mar 6, 2005

I agree completely

Jamesaritchie said:
I believe real writer's block is extremely rare, and it's a psychological affliction. I don't think what we call writer's block is actually writer's block at all.

If you believe in writer's block, then it exists. If you don't believe in writer's block, it doesn't exist. I think it really is this simple.

There are days when I'm just lazy, and other days when the very last thing I want to work on is witty dialogue. But I'm a working writer and I have a contract and a due date. You'd be surprised how little writer's block I have. :whip:

cwfgal · Mar 6, 2005

True writer's block is extremely rare and it is a psychological disorder akin to OCD and phobias. Outside of that medical realm, what people call writer's block is simply fear, laziness, a lack of motivation, a lack of focus, or a plotting black hole the writer can't find a way out of. I've never had writer's block but I have experienced all of the above. And I've worked through them.

I try to equate it to my "real" job as an ER nurse. There are times on the job when I suffer from all of the above (except perhaps the plotting black hole although there are other stumpers that perhaps equate) and there I don't have the option of not doing my job. I have to find a way to work through it, find the answers, get it done. I do the same thing with my writing. When I supported myself solely with my writing I HAD to work through those things. Though I have more flexibility now and do occasionally indulge in a bit of "I don't feel like doing it so I'm not going to," for the most part I just keep on plugging.

Beth

black winged fighter · Mar 6, 2005

cwfgal said:
what people call writer's block is simply fear, laziness, a lack of motivation, a lack of focus, or a plotting black hole the writer can't find a way out of. I've never had writer's block but I have experienced all of the above. And I've worked through them.

I try to equate it to my "real" job as an ER nurse. There are times on the job when I suffer from all of the above (except perhaps the plotting black hole although there are other stumpers that perhaps equate) and there I don't have the option of not doing my job. I have to find a way to work through it, find the answers, get it done. I do the same thing with my writing.
Beth

That's a great way to focus - knowing you have to work through it, or else...
I've done that before - told myself that if I did not work through a difficult section there would be grave consequences. If you make it real enough, it actually helps a lot.

zornhau · Mar 7, 2005

cwfgal said:
a lack of focus, or a plotting black hole the writer can't find a way out of.

I'd add (without reference to the OP) from bitter personal exprience:

...or a deficiency in skill

Possession of Burning Vision(tm) and Full Muse Access does not guarantee the ability to manifest your imaginings as a readable tale.

Alas, it's very easy to be so ego-invested in your wonderful creativity that you can't bring yourself to face up to the rectifiable deficiencies in your grasp of the craft.

BlueTexas · Mar 7, 2005

When I'm lacking ideas or motivation to work on fiction, I write somethign different. I come up with a non-fic article, write it and boom, my brain is ready for creative-ville again. I've written horrid articles on flowers and such, but it gets my brain back where I need it.

Dealing With Writer's Block

black winged fighter

AW Addict

Dev

zornhau

Swordsman

Coco82

black winged fighter

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Jamesaritchie

black winged fighter

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karenranney

cwfgal

On the rocks

black winged fighter

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zornhau

Swordsman

BlueTexas

Back from self-exile land.