writers block

[penguinabc123]

what a chore, usually i dont have to much problem with this, but today aint my day.

[trancedreams]

same. & it's incredibly frusterating, right?! =(

[.Promoter]

I had an exam today.. had a few topics to write about.. one of them just completely stumped me..

[Cdn_Brdr]

I do a lot of writing and when I block up it's brutal. I'm working on a comic book w/ a friend and it's going well but lately my poetry is all but nonexistent and the novel I've been working on for a year or so just isn't developing the way I want it too.... been stumped on that for almost two months now.

Indeed, it's very frustrating.

[baby-phat]

I've been struggling with writers block off and on (but mostly on) for like the past few years with my poetry. :( Suuuucks.

[atbell]

I get it off and on, which was difficult while I was depending on writing for paying rent.

A friend of mine suggested trying other creative things to shake it loose, like painting.

I find a good dose of stimulants / booze can shake it. Failing that just getting up and walking from one place to another can work.

[-evil-duerr-]

I went to a screenwriting seminar a couple weeks ago and learned some really great advice from an industry pro. Here's a few pearls I remember off the top.

-try to make writing one of the very first things you do in the morning, or one of the last things you do at night. Spend at least an hour or two on it a day. It doesn't have to be pros or poetry, even if you write down stream of conciousness shit- it'll help the work immensely.

-don't write exclusively from the inside of your head. But if you do , write EVERYTHING that comes into your head.

- change your environment. leave your desk. go outside. but ofcoure, dont forget to bring something to record your thoughts.

-Take a notepad (or tape recorder) with you everywhere you go. Great stuff will come to you if you make the effort to write while in an externally stimulating environment (ie on the bus, at a park, in the woods).

- READ (books,articles etc.)!!! then write the ideas that come to you - if you get any.

[Lush]

Natalie Goldbergs 'Writing down the bones' and 'wild mind' have really helped me cope with writers block.
She incorporates tons of mini writing exercises that force you to write and she suggests lots of productive strategies that i've found useful.

Also going to lit events around the city - Pandora's collective hosts a night called 'word whips' at the Soma cafe on Main.
They basically get a group of writers together and use various prompts to get you writing and then you can read your work out loud or just listen to other people's work.

[Rayeine]

....sometimes you just have to ride it out...
await the next seep in due time.
.......this has been totally inspiring me latley..
perhaps it shall bestow upon you the same just..
...inhale exhale tingle momentary of savage epicness..
Group: home

[atbell]

Originally Posted by -evil-duerr-

I went to a screenwriting seminar a couple weeks ago and learned some really great advice from an industry pro. Here's a few pearls I remember off the top.

-try to make writing one of the very first things you do in the morning, or one of the last things you do at night. Spend at least an hour or two on it a day. It doesn't have to be pros or poetry, even if you write down stream of conciousness shit- it'll help the work immensely.

-don't write exclusively from the inside of your head. But if you do , write EVERYTHING that comes into your head.

- change your environment. leave your desk. go outside. but ofcoure, dont forget to bring something to record your thoughts.

-Take a notepad (or tape recorder) with you everywhere you go. Great stuff will come to you if you make the effort to write while in an externally stimulating environment (ie on the bus, at a park, in the woods).

- READ (books,articles etc.)!!! then write the ideas that come to you - if you get any.

Good points. I think I've been doing some of them already but it becomes more clear when you read / hear it from someone else.

The note pad is a good idea, I've been using business cards of mine that I printed up and don't like enought to give out to anyone. Unfortunately this makes a mess when I dump them out at home.

[baby-phat]

I'm almost considering taking a creative writing course.. good idea?

evil-duerr - I think I'm gonna try some of your suggestions, hopefully I can get out of this 'mental rut'.

On a side note, my friend thinks I should write childrens books and says I have a unique way of wording things. *shrug*

[-evil-duerr-]

Originally Posted by baby-phat

I'm almost considering taking a creative writing course.. good idea?

evil-duerr - I think I'm gonna try some of your suggestions, hopefully I can get out of this 'mental rut'.

On a side note, my friend thinks I should write childrens books and says I have a unique way of wording things. *shrug*

if writing is something that makes you happy, get on that creative writing course for sure! do it up!

[tiedye]

I usually just stay up for a few days on end.

[baby-phat]

Originally Posted by -evil-duerr-

if writing is something that makes you happy, get on that creative writing course for sure! do it up!

It does.. at least I think it does. :p It's been so long.. lol

[NinjaBoy]

Your getting writers block because you touch yourself at night.

[baby-phat]

^ Oh shit.. well then, that explains everything!