Cintia
asked
Erica Cameron:
Hi, my name is Cintia, and I’m from Argentina. Being a writer is my biggest dream in the whole world, but I’ve been unable to write for 3 years, and this is getting frustrating. I’m totally blocked and it’s not that I have just unfinished stories, but I’m also unable to start new things. Is there a way to fight this? How would you handle it?
Erica Cameron
Hi, Cintia! That's a hard question because I've found that the answer is different every time it happens. Sometimes I just need a few days away from writing, so I read, watch movies, make jewelry, waste time on the internet--whatever I feel like doing that isn't writing.
For something that has lasted that long, though, (and yes that has happened to me) the answer is simple and also very, very complicated: write. To get yourself back into writing, you have to write.
The important thing to keep in mind is that it's going to be grueling in the beginning and almost everything you work on is going to feel painfully awful. You're likely going to wonder why you're even bothering with any of this--I know that's what ran through my head when I was grappling with the same problem. Start small. Start with a journal if that's something you have any interest in. Then move into trying to write one paragraph of a story (or one stanza, if you're a poet). Make your initial goals small and manageable, but be sure to meet them every day. Maybe on one day all you do is write down an idea. Great! Now you have an idea percolating in your mind! Maybe the next day you write a section of dialogue. Wonderful! You've got characters! If you continue to do this, slowly making your goals larger and more complicated once you see that you can meet them, it will become habit again. Each time will be easier--though never actually easy--and before you know it you'll have a large chunk of writing completed. Maybe it will all be part of one project and you'll be close to finished with a novel, but maybe not. Maybe you will have written several short stories and a few random chapters of different possible books. That's fine! The process of breaking through your block is the hard part.
If that still doesn't work, try any/all of these things:
--Search the internet for writing prompts and story starters.
--Look through sites like Flickr, Instagram, Pinterest, PostSecret, etc. for pictures that will spark your imagination.
--Read--read a LOT of different books from a lot of different authors.
Try to learn a new craft or hobby.
--Switch up your writing process--try writing by hand if you usually type on the computer or vice versa.
--Spend more time each day moving--I have an author friend who SWEARS by plotting a book while taking a long walk.
If nothing on THAT list works? Well, in that case it may be time to consider other possible causes. The times in my life when I couldn't bring myself to write or even think about starting to write were the times when I was deeply depressed. I had to deal with my own happiness and mental health before I could consider going back to creating stories. I'm not necessarily saying that this is the case for you, but if nothing is working to unblock you, look for other factors like stress, depression, anxiety, health issues, etc. that could potentially be causing the blockage. Sometimes the block won't go away until you've found your own inner peace again--or at least found a little of it.
I hope this helps! Good luck with your writing, Cintia!
For something that has lasted that long, though, (and yes that has happened to me) the answer is simple and also very, very complicated: write. To get yourself back into writing, you have to write.
The important thing to keep in mind is that it's going to be grueling in the beginning and almost everything you work on is going to feel painfully awful. You're likely going to wonder why you're even bothering with any of this--I know that's what ran through my head when I was grappling with the same problem. Start small. Start with a journal if that's something you have any interest in. Then move into trying to write one paragraph of a story (or one stanza, if you're a poet). Make your initial goals small and manageable, but be sure to meet them every day. Maybe on one day all you do is write down an idea. Great! Now you have an idea percolating in your mind! Maybe the next day you write a section of dialogue. Wonderful! You've got characters! If you continue to do this, slowly making your goals larger and more complicated once you see that you can meet them, it will become habit again. Each time will be easier--though never actually easy--and before you know it you'll have a large chunk of writing completed. Maybe it will all be part of one project and you'll be close to finished with a novel, but maybe not. Maybe you will have written several short stories and a few random chapters of different possible books. That's fine! The process of breaking through your block is the hard part.
If that still doesn't work, try any/all of these things:
--Search the internet for writing prompts and story starters.
--Look through sites like Flickr, Instagram, Pinterest, PostSecret, etc. for pictures that will spark your imagination.
--Read--read a LOT of different books from a lot of different authors.
Try to learn a new craft or hobby.
--Switch up your writing process--try writing by hand if you usually type on the computer or vice versa.
--Spend more time each day moving--I have an author friend who SWEARS by plotting a book while taking a long walk.
If nothing on THAT list works? Well, in that case it may be time to consider other possible causes. The times in my life when I couldn't bring myself to write or even think about starting to write were the times when I was deeply depressed. I had to deal with my own happiness and mental health before I could consider going back to creating stories. I'm not necessarily saying that this is the case for you, but if nothing is working to unblock you, look for other factors like stress, depression, anxiety, health issues, etc. that could potentially be causing the blockage. Sometimes the block won't go away until you've found your own inner peace again--or at least found a little of it.
I hope this helps! Good luck with your writing, Cintia!
More Answered Questions
David Frantz
asked
Erica Cameron:
Hi I am retired and have always loved to read, and have always wanted to write a book. where do you draw your inspirations for your stories and is it a good idea to draw from real life experiences . Also can you describe what it was like when you held in your hands that first copy of your first novel? Thanks and have a great day!
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