A simple, though admittedly hardcore poultice for the symptoms of writers block

[Octopus3]

Self affirmation has been tested and shown through out the years to have a positive effect on an individual's wellbeing and mindset. It all starts by implanting positive thought patterns in our way of thinking. A self affirmation to help overcome writers block can be "I am a successful writer and words come easily to me." While we begin to accept this internally our actions will be subconsciously effected by our innate beliefs. If you would like to learn more about the science behind this I have placed a link in this post. I have also taken the liberty of providing to you my friends a link to a writers affirmation mantra video that I have found particularly useful. With much love and universal blessings, namaste.

https://positivepsychology.com/daily-affirmations/

[Embedded Media removed]]

 

[SAWeiner]

Sounds nicer in theory than in reality. I'll give it a try though.

 

[TStarnes]

The best thing I've found for writers block is just writing. Not on a project you're trying to finish or anything you're really attached to, just write anything. It's actually better if it's something like writing prompts where you don't have the added performance challenges. Once you start getting words on paper, you'll find the words you really want/need to write coming back.

 

[owlion]

I do think it's helpful to try and build confidence, as writer's block (and procrastination) can happen when you're feeling negative about your ability. I also agree with TStarnes that just writing anything can really help, especially when it's without any pressure, as it shows you that you can do it and helps get you back in the right mindset.

 

[Octopus3]

I do think it's helpful to try and build confidence, as writer's block (and procrastination) can happen when you're feeling negative about your ability. I also agree with TStarnes that just writing anything can really help, especially when it's without any pressure, as it shows you that you can do it and helps get you back in the right mindset.

Thank you for sharing your helpful opinion, as I also believe overcoming writers block is a matter of building confidence and belief in ones ability. I wonder if we can perhaps in turn apply this ability to other beautiful areas of our life

 

[owlion]

Thank you for sharing your helpful opinion, as I also believe overcoming writers block is a matter of building confidence and belief in ones ability. I wonder if we can perhaps in turn apply this ability to other beautiful areas of our life

Yeah, I think improving things like self-esteem and self-confidence are extremely important for wellbeing in general, though it often takes years to work through everything to reach that. I'd guess it's part of why a lot (not all, by any means) of older people are more comfortable with themselves. In terms of writing, I know for me having more confidence in myself has enabled me to push through when I would've previously given up. It's not the only factor, but it's an important one, I think.

 

[Octopus3]

Yeah, I think improving things like self-esteem and self-confidence are extremely important for wellbeing in general, though it often takes years to work through everything to reach that. I'd guess it's part of why a lot (not all, by any means) of older people are more comfortable with themselves. In terms of writing, I know for me having more confidence in myself has enabled me to push through when I would've previously given up. It's not the only factor, but it's an important one, I think.

Yeas I agree. I believe that self-esteem is important for each individual, to reach their goals and understand that within themselves, they have the ability to achieve amazing things. You seem like a very well meaning person, I will share a powerful quote with you. I humbly hope it brings you the joy that it has brought me.

“Everything you can imagine is real.”
― Pablo Picasso

 

[Holly Green]

I wonder if we can perhaps in turn apply this ability to other beautiful areas of our life

I've noticed people applying the positive affirmations approach to covid--telling themselves that they don't want, or need covid in their lives, so they simply won't get it.

I think this is a form of denial, and is also dangerous--especially if they are promoting this idea to others.

 

[Helix]

For me, the best thing to shake off writer's block is to read good books. They remind me why I want to write and what writing can do.

I'm not a big fan of self-help that tells people they can achieve anything they want as long as they try. It's not true. There's also potential to cause more harm.

But, having said that, I did get back into writing after listening to advice from life coach Craig Harper. He's Australian and is both personable and empathetic but he doesn't faff around. Among his twelve rules for success are:

Be f*ck*ng practical. Success is not a theory.

Don't f*cking waste energy on shit you can't control

and

Stop doing the same f*cking thing and hoping shit will change

Asterisks are mine, obvs.

 

[owlion]

I've noticed people applying the positive affirmations approach to covid--telling themselves that they don't want, or need covid in their lives, so they simply won't get it.

I think this is a form of denial, and is also dangerous--especially if they are promoting this idea to others.

I feel like there's a bit of a difference between trying to work through writer's block and trying to avoid catching a very transmissible virus. Writer's block can come about for a number of reasons: self-consciousness, losing faith in your work, burnout, stress etc. Self-affirmation and things like building self-confidence won't help everyone, of course, and often when it comes to burnout, the only real method for handling it is to just get away from writing for a while. Still, improving self-confidence does help with a number of facets of life.

 

[Norsebard]

Hmmm... while I agree with the gist of the positive messages in the opening post, I must admit that telling myself how great I am wouldn't do diddly for me. I could do that until I'd turn cross-eyed and blue in the face, and I'd still be stuck in the same quagmire I was in earlier.


The situation is obviously different for me because I'm an amateur writer with no external pressure or deadlines (save for those I impose on myself), but the thing that works best for me is to step back from the brick wall I've struck and write something completely different for a while - a jokey dialogue-driven scene involving some of my characters, or a super-sizzlin' triple-X version of a scene, or...

Of course, that approach won't help those suffering from severe cases of Writer's Block. I've never experienced a complete block (knock on wood!), but like most of us, I have the occasional low-level blocks where the words simply won't come. Unless they're brought on by something physical like fatigue that can literally be cured by getting a full night's sleep, I do what I mentioned above - I write something com-PLETE-ly different for a while.


Norsebard

 

[valowen74]

I'm gonna watch it. Need a motivational burst right now. Maybe it will help

 

[Paul Lamb]

The best thing I've found for writers block is just writing. Not on a project you're trying to finish or anything you're really attached to, just write anything. It's actually better if it's something like writing prompts where you don't have the added performance challenges. Once you start getting words on paper, you'll find the words you really want/need to write coming back.

This has been the case with me as well. When I'm on fire, I focus on the one thing that's motivating me. But when that's not the case, and I'm feeling blocked, I pick up some other story I'm working on and tinkering with it.

Butt in the chair and fingers on the keyboard seem to work well for me.

 

[lizmonster]

I just want to say that no, it's not always possible to write one's way out of writer's block. Hence the name.

I have been fortunate in that I haven't suffered too often from serious blockage. But when I'm blocked, there's no writing something else, there's no butt-in-chair. There's just an empty well and a blinking cursor that makes it worse.

The best advice I've ever received for times like this is:

1) Don't push it.
2) Fill the creative well other ways.

Drawing helps me, sometimes. Also video games (no, really). Sometimes reading, but sometimes that's too close to the bone and just makes things worse. Music is a balm for nearly everything. Ditto exercise, although in recent years I've had a tendency to overdo and injure myself. (Getting old, as my mama always told me, is not for the faint of heart.)

Everything said above is wonderful and useful for some people. I just want to make sure that those of us who can't shove our way through a block with more words understand we're not exceptions; we're just experiencing the block differently.

 

[sonder_siri]

Self affirmation..

This is great advice! I usually give myself a goal each day for how much I want to write, and I write through the lack of inspiration. Even if it's not good, at least I am writing something.

 

[AW Admin]

I've removed the embedded video; several members have expressed some concerns over the content of the video.

I'm also going to remind people to read the stickie for this forum, and the warning posted at the top of the page:

• Read this: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/sho...or-Participation-in-Outwitting-Writer-s-Block
  
  before you post.

Positive thinking is all well and good, but do not assert that everyone can [cure/end] writer's block.

Because some people can't, and while I'm glad for those who can, this isn't a one-size-fits all problem.