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Monday, February 21, 2011

Monday Musings: Writer's Block


When I first started writing seriously I had an endless flow of ideas and I wrote them all down as quickly as possible, scoffing at writer’s block.  But now I’ve noticed with the more I’ve learned the harder it is to actually write.   I’ve still got the ideas, but it’s more difficult to get them down on paper. 

I’m pretty sure it’s because I’m constantly trying to outdo myself.  Not to mention I’m finding it more and more laborious to turn off that internal editor, to just “write the damn story” and fix it in subsequent drafts.

I’ve found that the harder I struggle, the worse it gets, so I’ve to just let the muse take me where it wants to go, when it wants me to go, instead of striving to wrestle it into a bottle to sprinkle it out over the course of the year.

It may mean frantic days and nights of dirty dishes and laundry piling up as I write feverishly, but my best stuff seems to come from those frenzied hours.

However, it doesn’t stop the worried thoughts of never writing again, so I want to know…what do you do to counteract writer’s block?
Posted by at Monday, February 21, 2011
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AE Rought's avatar - Go to profile

AE Rought · 736 weeks ago

Pray. Whine. Eat too much. Abuse the story idea until it doesn't talk anymore.

Then somehow, some way, the magic rekindles when I least expect it. I've found pushing it only produces rotten writing I have to delete later or edit the crap out of anyway.
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Rockie · 736 weeks ago

I read and look for videos of other authors to get inspiration. That usually breaks me rom my writer's block. :)
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lkriegler 63p · 736 weeks ago

Thank you so much for voicing my thoughts of late! I totally agree with you here. I have virtually stopped writing because of over-analysing what I write. And yes, it's because of all the rules that I learn about :-(
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Kari Marie · 736 weeks ago

I try to remember my first draft is all about heart. I throw the rules out the window and write the story as it it comes. But when the words really won't come I don't force it. I'll write in my journal read a book, watch a movie and allow myself to dream about my story.
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Jen Daiker · 735 weeks ago

Cocktails, books, mad libs... those are what get me up when I am down. Mab libs are so fun they make my brain start to think... making the creativity flow.

I'm going to follow you on twitter now!! Cause you are too cool!
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R Ryals Russell's avatar - Go to profile

R Ryals Russell · 735 weeks ago

You hit that nail on the head. I noticed the same thing about tons of ideas and writing constantly about three years ago when I started. Now I have trouble getting a story finished. It's so frustrating.
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Alexia · 734 weeks ago

I don't worry about how sucky my first drafts are. I just try to get the bones of the story done, internal editor off. If I do get writers block, I make a contest and see how much I can write in 15 minutes. It usually stinks, but it gets things flowing.

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