how do you break thru writer's block?

Question

i just want to write, but when i get to the computer, nothing comes out. Lightening strikes when i'm driving or otherwise occupied and can't write it down. what can i do to stimulate my creativity?

Answer 1

Creativity is like rain...just have to fill your buckets while you can. Try to carry a pad and pen with you whereever you go, or at least a pen...thats what I do and it works well for me. I end up writing lyrics on anything thats near me. In fact, carry a marker and you'll be able to jot down the idea on your hand. It's all about the kernel, the initial idea, so as long as you keep that in mind, your inspiration should return later in the day once you recall what exactly it was that made you want to write.

Getting buzzed sometimes helps too, lol, I agree.

Answer 2

Hi there. As a published author, I can tell you that there is no such thing as writer's block. It's all about creativity, not how many words you can put down on paper or onto your computer screen at any given time. Why? Because writing is a creative process, not a nine to five job.

Creativity is not something you can turn on and off at will. I wish that were true, but it simply isn't. It comes upon you when something external triggers an idea or an emotion or a conversation in your head that you, as the writer, can actually "hear" your characters saying. That's when you rush to the computer or a note pad or a recorder and make notes as fast as you can so that the fresh idea doesn't disappear before you can get it into your novel. Once you have some notes, that's when you really allow the creative process to take over. Your notes are the outline, but creativity fills the pages.

So, is it possible to trigger your own creativity? Actually, yes, it is, but not all the time. I sometimes use music in the form of a movie soundtrack to spark my imagination, especially when I have a particularly difficult part of a book to get through. I use soundtracks like "Braveheart" or "Last of the Mohicans" to set a mood in my head and that allows the creativity to be released.

Try that--you may find that you can open a can of creativity at anytime. And don't worry about how many words you write today. Some days, I bang out 500 and I'm thrilled with that. Other days, I get completely involved in the story and end up with 5,000 new words before I am done. Unfortunately, I also end up with days where I write nothing and spend the whole day editing instead. But, then that's part of the writing process too.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your writing!

Jon F. Baxley
[e-mail]

THE SCYTHIAN STONE
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming, fall '07)

Answer 3

Try free association. What you do is sit down and write stream of consciousness style. You let whatever you are thinking fill up at least one page. It can be as simple as-

I hate feeling this way. I want to express my emotions but I feel lost in how to do it.

But really you can write anything that fills your mind. This can help to get the creative juices flowing so you can move on to something more productive.

Best of luck with your writing!

Answer 4

Sit down and write about anything and eventually the thoughts will flow. Train yourself to write. Get into a routine where you write in a certain time and place EVERY day, no matter what. Write at least 1000 words every day. Start the next day be reading yesterday's work and editing it.

Answer 5

There is a book called "writing down the bones"

I am not sure if it is still in print, but it should help.

Also try doing other stuff like going out to the movie and then coming back to write, it might help.

Answer 6

You could try the ZATAOMM method of sitting down and writing about one single object near you. Eg, a brick, or a plant, or your hand. That can help set your brain in writing mode. Writing a journal also helps, in a nice book (eg. Moleskine journal) with a nice pen.

Answer 7

I like to listen to music. It stimulates my mind and helps evoke emotions that are good for writing different scenes in a story.

Answer 8

Drink scotch and have more sex. This will free up you inhibitions and you'll be able to write more and enjoy what you write about.
Fitzgerald, Hemingway, O'Neil, Steinbeck--read em while having a good time and you'll see an improvement in your work.

Answer 9

I myself am a writer, I've never had a problem in this area. My best advice is to try drinking, just enough to get you buzzed. If nothing else it'll relax you. Sorry I couldn't be more help. . .

Answer 10

ither you have it or you don't that simple. If there was a real secret imagine how many writters we would have. I mean writters not people that fill books with others ideas.