What do you do to get over and/or prevent writers block? I am writing my first book and have been very much struggling with writers block and getting the motivation to write because I'm not feeling creative. Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you!
Writers block
- Thread starter M.S. Ray
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Or, if it would help, I can issue threats. 
Write, M.S. Ray. Write right now, or I will..... 
Write, M.S. Ray. Write right now, or I will..... 
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Or, if you're anything like me, use reverse psychology.
"No, Unimportant. You are not allowed to write. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not any time this week. You must bake cookies, weed the garden (preferably @mccardey 's), mow the lawn, sweep the kitchen, dust the lounge, and clean out the barn. On no account are you to even think about your story. Ignore the story. Forget the story. Focus on anything other than the story. Look, see? I am unplugging the keyboard. The story does not want to be written. But the carpet does want to be vacuumed."
If I do that, by gum that story will be hammering away at me non-effing-stop.
"No, Unimportant. You are not allowed to write. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not any time this week. You must bake cookies, weed the garden (preferably @mccardey 's), mow the lawn, sweep the kitchen, dust the lounge, and clean out the barn. On no account are you to even think about your story. Ignore the story. Forget the story. Focus on anything other than the story. Look, see? I am unplugging the keyboard. The story does not want to be written. But the carpet does want to be vacuumed."
If I do that, by gum that story will be hammering away at me non-effing-stop.
That's smarter than the other thing I was going to suggest which is buy one of these
<-
ETA: a pup. Not a self-ban. Self-bans are free.
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Buy a hirsute guinea-pig-killing chicken-homicidal child-pretending-to-be-a-dog? Um. Yeah. Pretty much anything would be better than that.
I tell you these things in privacy. As a friend.
ETA: Thank you for not mentioning the possum. Who wasn't well any way and I think was fairly grateful it happened so quickly.
And the snake who was just I don't even know what he was doing.
ETA 2: Also the lizard. s.
ETA 2(b): and the bunny.
ETA 3: In better news, we went up to visit the grand-daughter last week and nobody died.
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It helps to duck when you see it coming.
See, you're talking about separate things there -- writer's block and motivation. In theory, you can be motivated and having writer's block. You can can feel creative and have writer's block. Is there an underlying element to overcoming all of them? Sure, building a habit will habit. Writing every day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Because motivation will fail and creative moods won't come, but habit is always there, shouting, "C'mon, buddy! Let's get to writing!" Or, you know, it will be once you've adopted one. So, please give habit a good home.
Habit doesn't help writer's block*. The OP says their issue is with writer's block.
*Ask me how I know
Agree to disagree, considering I've found it very effective. And the topic was asking for tips.
But the OP also mentions motivation and feeling creative.
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Fair.
I got bollocked once for suggesting a fix that didn't take into account writer's block being a Thing. It is a thing - but whatever works, works.
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Also -- back to the OP
But a blank page with no words on it cannot be edited into anything at all.
If that is the case -- I hereby give you permission to write shite. Go on! Babble. Barf onto the page. Vomit up truly shite prose. It's okay. I promise you. Just throw out there some words, any words, no matter how trite and trivial and contrived. They can always be fixed.
ETA: here is your It's Okay To Write Shite coupon:
Sometimes writer's block is the fear of not producing truly stellar, perfect prose. In that case, remind yourself that it's perfectly okay to write shite. Shite can be edited. Shite can be improved. Shite can, over the course of several revisions and polishing, be turned into stellar, perfect prose.
But a blank page with no words on it cannot be edited into anything at all.
If that is the case -- I hereby give you permission to write shite. Go on! Babble. Barf onto the page. Vomit up truly shite prose. It's okay. I promise you. Just throw out there some words, any words, no matter how trite and trivial and contrived. They can always be fixed.
ETA: here is your It's Okay To Write Shite coupon:
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Sometimes writer's block is just not wanting to write. That's also ok. But sometimes it's wanting to write, having all your processes in place, having your time and your pencils sharpened, sitting down - and nothing comes. That really sucks. I have heard, from people I know, that you just have to change the environment, stop caring, engage with literally any else, sleep well, put the bins out on Thursday, pay the bills and the writing will come. Probably while you're in a high level meeting you can't get out of.
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Forcing myself to write always works. It sounds obtuse, but it's true. I get to certain parts of my book that I'm not the most passionate about (you know, the necessary connective tissues between the explosive points), and I just don't want to write anymore. The best way to get over it is just... keep writing. As long as there are words on the page, the connective tissues or whatever you are having trouble with will eventually pass, that is a certainty.
Writers block comes in many forms.
If the source is a lack of ideas, try searching for writing prompt generators. If the first promt site doesn't profide enough for you to work with, or boxes you in too much, find a different prompt site, there are dozens, if not hundreds of random prompt sites out there. If the first prompt doesn't spark joy/prompt ideas, try refreshing to see if the next prompt does. Get a prompt and start writing from that prompt. Or from an idea unrelated from your prompt search that your prompt search knocked loose.
If the issue is lack of motivation, some find the BIC method helpful. Set a timer and put your butt in that chair in front of your computer or writing tools of choice and either sit and stare at your writing surface or write. If you chose to try this method, you can keep writing after the timer goes off, but you have to either stare or write until it does.
If there is an underlying issue preventing you from writing, figure out what the issue is and what steps are needed to fix that issue.
If the issue is lack of accountability, AW does have a monthly support thread for that. The September 2024 Challenge - Build a Writing Habit is the current one. The October thread will start around the 29th, give or take.
If the source is a lack of ideas, try searching for writing prompt generators. If the first promt site doesn't profide enough for you to work with, or boxes you in too much, find a different prompt site, there are dozens, if not hundreds of random prompt sites out there. If the first prompt doesn't spark joy/prompt ideas, try refreshing to see if the next prompt does. Get a prompt and start writing from that prompt. Or from an idea unrelated from your prompt search that your prompt search knocked loose.
If the issue is lack of motivation, some find the BIC method helpful. Set a timer and put your butt in that chair in front of your computer or writing tools of choice and either sit and stare at your writing surface or write. If you chose to try this method, you can keep writing after the timer goes off, but you have to either stare or write until it does.
If there is an underlying issue preventing you from writing, figure out what the issue is and what steps are needed to fix that issue.
If the issue is lack of accountability, AW does have a monthly support thread for that. The September 2024 Challenge - Build a Writing Habit is the current one. The October thread will start around the 29th, give or take.
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THIS!Or, if it would help, I can issue threats.
THIS is the motivation I needed. Now I just need you to threaten me every morning! haha
I have noticed I have better motivation to write and feel like I write better when "gardening". But getting myself to want to write outside of that is hard and im trying to cut down on my gardening.
This was also very helpful. I think I definitely need to work on this. It is okay to write shite. Its a first draft, its not going to be f=perfect and expecting amazing writing through an entire first draft is unreasonable and lowering what i expect from myself is for sure somethin gi should work on. Thank you for reminding me that its okay to just write!Also -- back to the OP
Sometimes writer's block is the fear of not producing truly stellar, perfect prose. In that case, remind yourself that it's perfectly okay to write shite. Shite can be edited. Shite can be improved. Shite can, over the course of several revisions and polishing, be turned into stellar, perfect prose.
But a blank page with no words on it cannot be edited into anything at all.
If that is the case -- I hereby give you permission to write shite. Go on! Babble. Barf onto the page. Vomit up truly shite prose. It's okay. I promise you. Just throw out there some words, any words, no matter how trite and trivial and contrived. They can always be fixed.
ETA: here is your It's Okay To Write Shite coupon:
Thank you for linking that thread! Im still new to AW and still learning to navigate everything. Lack of accountability is for sure part of my problem so am excited to use that thread.
(I've scooted this to the Writer's Block board--so many writers experience this that we dedicated a board to the phenomenon. Carry on!)
Experiment.
There are so many ways to write . . . try them all until you find what works for you. Sometimes, writers block is writers block and we gotta deal (the end of my rant addresses that), but I think a lot of times a change of method or scenery can do the trick.
Here are some areas that, for me, I had to find what worked to get me writing.
1) Environment: what puts you in the mood to write? I love coffee shops; some people get distracted by people watching. Is your desk at home hard because it's also where you work/do school? Do you need a clean space? Can music put you in the write mood (I have very specific songs I listen to when I right - the wrong song can actually stop me from writing)
I think it helps to have your ideal location and your good enough location.
Ideal is 'if I have the time, freedom, and money, I would always go here' - for me that's the coffee shop. If I'm really stuck, I ditch my wife (with permission), ditch my kids, and go write.
Good enough is your everyday place, somewhere you know you'll be able to write in most situations - for me it's my kitchen table. The catch: the kitchen has to be clean.
2) Method: sometimes writers block can be overcome with how you right.
The medium may matter too - I'm talking typewriter, computer, pencil, pen. For me, if I'm drafting it MUST be hand written with pencil. As silly as it sounds, a pen or pencil in my hand makes the difference between creative and not creative.
Some writers also like doing what are called 'sprints' - where you set a timer for 10/20 minutes and just write without editing, take a 5 minute break, sit down and do it again. Not my thing, but I've done it before and see the appeal.
3) Outline, pant-ser, in between: Perhaps the lack of ideas comes from a lack of an outline . . . or maybe trying to stick to an outline is stifling your creativity. Try both and see what you like!
4) Question why: Ask yourself why you are lacking ideas . . . or motivations. Is it because it's hard to focus - a change of scenery may help. Is it because you don't like what you're writing - how can you change what you are writing so you'll enjoy it (disclaimer: sometimes, writing is hard and we have to deal)? Getting to the meat of why you're struggling is often the first step to fixing it or accepting it.
And that leads to my last point - know yourself. If you're not feeling it, you don't have to write. A lot of people suggest to build a habit, or to write daily, or to force yourself to do it, but that isn't practical with everyone's daily life and may not be helpful for them.
If think the whole 'force yourself to write' is meant for people who just need to sit down and stay down until they get words out - only you know if you're one of those people, and if it's effective for you, great (again: experiment). I'm depressed. Sometimes, if I'm not feeling it, forcing myself to write makes the depression worse. I'm also a stay-at-home-dad, the days I'm alone with the kids aren't good days to write because either they are awake and need attention, or they are asleep and so am I. I'm just mentioning this to highlight that there may be real things in your life that prevent your from writing and/or are giving you that writers block. That is OK.
Sometimes (not always) extreme measures can get us out of writers block, like doing your version of 'gardening'. But if you can't garden right now, maybe give yourself permission to put the book away and try again tomorrow. Saying it's not a good time and procrastinating aren't the same thing, and so long as you're honest about which it is, you'll be fine.
There are so many ways to write . . . try them all until you find what works for you. Sometimes, writers block is writers block and we gotta deal (the end of my rant addresses that), but I think a lot of times a change of method or scenery can do the trick.
Here are some areas that, for me, I had to find what worked to get me writing.
1) Environment: what puts you in the mood to write? I love coffee shops; some people get distracted by people watching. Is your desk at home hard because it's also where you work/do school? Do you need a clean space? Can music put you in the write mood (I have very specific songs I listen to when I right - the wrong song can actually stop me from writing)
I think it helps to have your ideal location and your good enough location.
Ideal is 'if I have the time, freedom, and money, I would always go here' - for me that's the coffee shop. If I'm really stuck, I ditch my wife (with permission), ditch my kids, and go write.
Good enough is your everyday place, somewhere you know you'll be able to write in most situations - for me it's my kitchen table. The catch: the kitchen has to be clean.
2) Method: sometimes writers block can be overcome with how you right.
The medium may matter too - I'm talking typewriter, computer, pencil, pen. For me, if I'm drafting it MUST be hand written with pencil. As silly as it sounds, a pen or pencil in my hand makes the difference between creative and not creative.
Some writers also like doing what are called 'sprints' - where you set a timer for 10/20 minutes and just write without editing, take a 5 minute break, sit down and do it again. Not my thing, but I've done it before and see the appeal.
3) Outline, pant-ser, in between: Perhaps the lack of ideas comes from a lack of an outline . . . or maybe trying to stick to an outline is stifling your creativity. Try both and see what you like!
4) Question why: Ask yourself why you are lacking ideas . . . or motivations. Is it because it's hard to focus - a change of scenery may help. Is it because you don't like what you're writing - how can you change what you are writing so you'll enjoy it (disclaimer: sometimes, writing is hard and we have to deal)? Getting to the meat of why you're struggling is often the first step to fixing it or accepting it.
And that leads to my last point - know yourself. If you're not feeling it, you don't have to write. A lot of people suggest to build a habit, or to write daily, or to force yourself to do it, but that isn't practical with everyone's daily life and may not be helpful for them.
If think the whole 'force yourself to write' is meant for people who just need to sit down and stay down until they get words out - only you know if you're one of those people, and if it's effective for you, great (again: experiment). I'm depressed. Sometimes, if I'm not feeling it, forcing myself to write makes the depression worse. I'm also a stay-at-home-dad, the days I'm alone with the kids aren't good days to write because either they are awake and need attention, or they are asleep and so am I. I'm just mentioning this to highlight that there may be real things in your life that prevent your from writing and/or are giving you that writers block. That is OK.
Sometimes (not always) extreme measures can get us out of writers block, like doing your version of 'gardening'. But if you can't garden right now, maybe give yourself permission to put the book away and try again tomorrow. Saying it's not a good time and procrastinating aren't the same thing, and so long as you're honest about which it is, you'll be fine.
When I have writers block I try to edit previous work that needs editing. Sometimes just doing something as simple as correcting mistakes or finding the right word replacement helps pull me out of it.
Sometimes I'll just start a story with two people talking to each other and all the writing is just dialogue between them back and forth. There is a conflict, it can be something as simple as one person saying to the other "Did you see how much milk was today?" and the other replies and it goes on and on. It sounds silly but at some point there's a conflict and that's your story.
I just finished a story that started with two dudes just shooting the shit and drinking a beer. The story evolved to where I ended up deleting the beginning where with the conversation during a beer. But its the part that got the story rolling.
Sometimes I'll just start a story with two people talking to each other and all the writing is just dialogue between them back and forth. There is a conflict, it can be something as simple as one person saying to the other "Did you see how much milk was today?" and the other replies and it goes on and on. It sounds silly but at some point there's a conflict and that's your story.
I just finished a story that started with two dudes just shooting the shit and drinking a beer. The story evolved to where I ended up deleting the beginning where with the conversation during a beer. But its the part that got the story rolling.