How do you deal with writer’s block?
This is one of the two default ‘Ask the Author’ questions. I think I’m obliged to answer it now with the release of my short story Writer's Block.
My good friend and fellow author, James Field, answered that question with: Writer’s Block? What’s that? That was a gift-wrapped sugar-coated invitation for a loud-mouthed trouble-maker like myself. My answer is on his author page.
Those moments are kernels of opportunity, but sometimes, they take a while to recognise. Writer's Block, my story, not the condition, brings a number of these opportunities together.
I have a letter on my desk, which sits next to the computer where I write. The letter is wrapped in about twenty layers of acid-free paper. If you were to go through the careful process of unwrapping the paper, you’d find an envelope addressed to my mother. The postmark reads: Oxford, 8 PM, 1 MCH, 1964. Inside the envelope is a letter from J.R.R. Tolkien, who cared enough about his fans to reply to as many letters as he could manage. It’s mostly typed, but it also has his wonderful calligraphic signature and a small handwritten note.
That’s my ‘writer’s block’. Just a glance, every now and then, inspires me to keep writing.
So, how do I deal with writer’s block? With great care, reverence and gratitude.
Writer's Block is available on Amazon, so go and grab a copy.
My good friend and fellow author, James Field, answered that question with: Writer’s Block? What’s that? That was a gift-wrapped sugar-coated invitation for a loud-mouthed trouble-maker like myself. My answer is on his author page.
Those moments are kernels of opportunity, but sometimes, they take a while to recognise. Writer's Block, my story, not the condition, brings a number of these opportunities together.
I have a letter on my desk, which sits next to the computer where I write. The letter is wrapped in about twenty layers of acid-free paper. If you were to go through the careful process of unwrapping the paper, you’d find an envelope addressed to my mother. The postmark reads: Oxford, 8 PM, 1 MCH, 1964. Inside the envelope is a letter from J.R.R. Tolkien, who cared enough about his fans to reply to as many letters as he could manage. It’s mostly typed, but it also has his wonderful calligraphic signature and a small handwritten note.
That’s my ‘writer’s block’. Just a glance, every now and then, inspires me to keep writing.
So, how do I deal with writer’s block? With great care, reverence and gratitude.
Writer's Block is available on Amazon, so go and grab a copy.
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Nick
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May 04, 2015 03:14PM
The perfect response and speaking as someone who is struggling with our old friend "Mr Block" I agree we need a totem that can push us out of his grasp. For me it's not a lack of ideas but when they're already in my head the act of transferring them to paper feels too much like office work. So today I will sit in my office and transcribe the jumble in my head to a jumble on the page and make sense of the senseless. Thanks my old friend for reminding me that all it takes is care, reverence and gratitude. Damn you.
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