Writer's Block?

Question

How is everybody doing on St. Patrick's Day? I am sitting at home working on my book. I stopped for right now because I am suffereing from acute writer's block. Why is it that when I want to write it seems as though I can't. My brain completely shuts off on me and all is blank, just like the computer screen I stare at for three hours while trying to come up with an idea. Then when I could care less if I write anything or not, I have the ability to write great things. It annoys me so much. I mean I have to finish writing this book, and I have to finish a paper for college and although I have all the information I need for both topics, I can't write. It is not out if laziness, because I really want to write, it is just I can't think of the words that I need to make these stories memorable. Have you ever been like that? If you have it sucks doesn't it? Any advice of how to get over this dilema of mine?

Answer 1

Okay here's my suggestion. Every day, wake up ten minutes earlier than you usually would. Then take the time to do three pages of freewriting. You can write about anything - absolutely anything - even how frustrated you are because you can't think of what to write about! But do it daily and do it immediately after waking up, when your self-censoring faculties haven't quite kicked in yet.

I heard this on the radio, I have to confess, from a woman who writes books to help artists who are experiencing exactly what you're describing. I've been doing it, and it's amazing. Trust me. Try it!

Answer 2

Put the pen down or walk away from the keyboard. Read two classic books before even thinking about writing again. Then if you find you still cant work on the piece, there is a reason for it. Put it aside and start writing something else. Write something you know about. Start with a short story then see where it goes and if it can become a novel. Or try working on an outline and character studies for the story that is giving you trouble. Big secret -- the more you know about your characters the less you are likely to be blocked because you will KNOW what they would do in any particular situation.

When I am working on a book, I know my characters so well that I know what their favorite flavors of ice cream are, which way they brush their teeth (up and down or across) - virtually everything - so that I can have them respond to any situation.

Try a writing prompt game too. One of the ones I like to use with students is the "a picture tells a thousand words" one. Pick a painting - any painting - and try to write about what is happening in the picture. I kind of like to use Norman Rockwell paintings. They always seem to tell such nice stories.

Work past it. I also recommend a great book called The Novelist in which a woman who teaches creative writing writes a book for her class and goes through the whole writing process step by step. It's a great lesson.

Lastly, did you know Barnes and Noble University has online writing classes for FREE?? All you have to do is register. Ive done a couple and they were great.

Give it a shot. C.

Answer 3

Please finish your college work first. You are not going to publish anything any time soon, so get your previous contractual work as a student out of the way, and for the time being just think about the writing you would like to do.

The next thing to do is join a writers' group. There are at least several in the orbit of every college or university. That will give you inspiration and encouragement, and an opportunity to have your writing critiqued by people you can trust and get to know as friends. That is where your writing will begin.

The wording of your question indicates that your basic textual expression skills need some development. You need to learn to write expressively and with some well-behaved imagination. That takes time and practice, and considerable mentoring. Your writers' group will help you more than anything else could with those issues.

The main thing to remember is that you have a lot to do before you start trying to write seriously for any purpose other than your own entertainment. So don't worry too much about a case of "writer's block" tonight. Set it aside and work on your college work. The other will come later.

Answer 4

My best ideas come in that limbo between awake and asleep. I can write my best poems and think of the best stories. It just works for me. Sometimes, I start writing something, because I have to.. a paper, or whatever.. and I feel that it's going in the wrong direction, but I keep doing it. Eventually, my own writing causes me to realize what I actually want to write about, if that makes any sense. What inspires you? Nature? TV? Find it. When are you your most creative? Dawn? Dusk? When you're asleep? If nothing helps, just WRITE. Write down everything. Write down little thoughts, some paragraphs, a sentence or 2. Just write, if you can't write. Eventually, the little creativity river in your mind will start to flow.. you just have to relax, and let it.

Answer 5

As Robert Heinlein wrote in "The Notebook Of Lazarus Long:" Don't force an idea, let it blossom on its own. In the meantime, ALWAYS keep a notebook, electronic or otherwise, at hand so that if an idea suddenly comes at you, you can write it down immediately. And remember that it took Tolstoy many years to write "War And Peace." So, in other words, relax. It'll happen, as we both should know.

Answer 6

The way I get over the writer's block is to write one or two pages. If it's good, I keep it, if not, it'll be deleted. I almost force myself to write it and sometimes it breaks the block. Sometimes, though, it doesn't.
good luck

Answer 7

HI TIFFANY , AS AN OLD SKOOL LOWBROW/OUTSIDER/POPARTIST I'VE SUFFERED WITH YOUR PROBLEM IN MY WORK FOR A LIFETIME . I SOMETIMES WONDER WHY I NEVER GOT A REAL JOB & LOOKED AT MY OWN WORK AS COLLEGE LEVEL & NOT MUSEUM ART . I OFTEN USE NATURE TO REFRESH ME , I LIVE AT THE BEACH & WALK MY LOCAL PIER EVER NIGHT , RAIN OR SHINE . SOMETIMES WHEN ONE EXPECTS A LOT FROM THEMSELF IT'S REAL HARD TO GET GOING . I ALSO HAVE SURROUNDED MYSELF WITH A STRONG ARTISTIC COMMUNITY TO DRAW FROM , FROM ALL THE ARTS AS YOU KNOW WE SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER . TRUST ME ON ONE THING THE HARDER YOU HAVE TO WORK ON A PIECE , THE MORE YOU WILL RECEIVE FROM IT . PERSONALLY & FINANCIALLY . DON'T GET DISCOURAGED , I'VE DELT WITH THIS EXACT SITUATION FOR OVER 40 YEARS & HAVE A GREAT LIFE ! (POPARTIST) TP. MULLIN POPCLT.COM [e-mail] IF YOU NEED MORE THIUGHTS

Answer 8

What are you writing about? I may have an idea for you. You can contact me.