Struggling Writers discussion
Race to NaNoWriMo: 2019
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Writer's Block
I just stare at the computer screen and PRAY I can form a coherent sentence LOL. I eventually get back into the flow. I just can't let myself give up.
I do a lot of "procrasticleaning", or various other things which are productive, but sadly don't involve any writing.And posting on Goodreads...
But it can help to clear my head. I usually come back, get my butt in the seat, and get a few more words down.
Tianna wrote: "I just stare at the computer screen and PRAY I can form a coherent sentence LOL. I eventually get back into the flow. I just can't let myself give up."So you just plow through! How is your novel coming, or are you going to start one in the beginning of the new year?
Irene wrote: "Tianna wrote: "I just stare at the computer screen and PRAY I can form a coherent sentence LOL. I eventually get back into the flow. I just can't let myself give up."So you just plow through! How..."
Haha yeah pretty much! Sometimes it takes me a half an hour to get one sentence.. but when I do, I throw my hands up and cheer lol.
And it's actually coming fairly well :) ... I think anyways LOL. I'm leaving it up to my beta's to tell me whether it's good or not :P
Tianna wrote: "Irene wrote: "Tianna wrote: "I just stare at the computer screen and PRAY I can form a coherent sentence LOL. I eventually get back into the flow. I just can't let myself give up."So you just plo..."
That's great! So how far along with it are you? You should head on over and introduce yourself.
Irene wrote:"Irene wrote: "Tianna wrote: "I just stare at the computer screen and PRAY I can form a coherent sentence LOL. I eventually get back into the flow. I just can't let myself give up."..."
hmmm I'm about 75 000 words through. It's one of those two character storylines that converge. I've recently just finished one storyline :)
ohhh... ok, I'll go do that
Tianna wrote: "Irene wrote:"Irene wrote: "Tianna wrote: "I just stare at the computer screen and PRAY I can form a coherent sentence LOL. I eventually get back into the flow. I just can't let myself give up."....."
That's a great start!
Yes, we are here to support each other :)
I put my headphones in and listen to my music, and maybe dance around my room like an idiot till I get an idea. It helps me clear my mind, get me ideas, and have fun ^_^
How do I break out of writers block ... for me, I just go mow the lawn, run on the tread mill or take a drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior. If it's raining, even better. Even when I'd gotten writers block, I normally just sit down and write. Sometimes its gibberish, but mostly I write something that might be rolling around in my head ... it might not even be something related to the book I'm currently writing. It might be a scene, that I'm trying to work out the words, so the visual and rhythm work. When I talk to others who want to write, I always recommend "Stick with what you know." Books don't have to be written linearly, write down the pieces that you do know, then fill in the blanks. On my first book, I wrote the first 4-chapters, then the last 4-chapter, then filled in the rest of the book.
J.D. wrote: "If you like mysteries, you’ll like this one. A reviewer from The Florida Times-Union loved it. “In Clay County Florida, where power, prestige and political persuasions run generations deep…Kerrig..."
JD, your comment has been removed as it does not belong here and is thus spam. Please post it in the appropriate thread.
RabidReader wrote: "How do I break out of writers block ... for me, I just go mow the lawn, run on the tread mill or take a drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior. If it's raining, even better. Even when I'd gott..."I am finding that most people find that just going and doing something else is the best way to beat writer's block.
That's interesting though, so you take more of a "skipping" around method when you write?
Irene wrote: "RabidReader wrote: "How do I break out of writers block ... for me, I just go mow the lawn, run on the tread mill or take a drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior. If it's raining, even better...."Sometimes. I'm new to the writing thing, and since it was never anything I actually considered pursuing, I never really studied how to do it. My ideas would come in randomly, usually in huge detailed chunks (really detailed), at the worst possible times. If I didn't write down what was rolling around in my head really quickly, I'd either lose it or sanitize it (over-think it). I've forgotten some truly amazing ideas over the years.
The "go with what you know" process seems to work for me. I wrote my first book (100k words) in 6-weeks, the second (same size) in 10-weeks and the last (125K) in 8-weeks. The last was the only one I wrote linear and I never reread any of it until I was done. That was the coolest, because when I did read it, I couldn't believe I'd written it.
RabidReader wrote: "Irene wrote: "RabidReader wrote: "How do I break out of writers block ... for me, I just go mow the lawn, run on the tread mill or take a drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior. If it's raining..."That's great that you know what works best for you!
I'm the same way with how those ideas pop into my head... They leave way too quickly.
I've been using tablets and phones, email and voice to text software apps to capture little notes and reminders so I don't loose a great idea. Kinda like tying a string around my finger. Something simple like a image of tattoo on the back of someones neck helped me remember the first 4-chapters of a new book I want to write. It might be the strangest filing system ever.
RabidReader wrote: "I've been using tablets and phones, email and voice to text software apps to capture little notes and reminders so I don't loose a great idea. Kinda like tying a string around my finger. Somethin..."Irene wrote: "J.D. wrote: "If you like mysteries, you’ll like this one. A reviewer from The Florida Times-Union loved it.
“In Clay County Florida, where power, prestige and political persuasions run generation..."
Sorry, Rabid Reader. I'm new to the ways of Goodreads. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Sometimes when I write I leave out punctuation and indentation.
Quinn wrote: "Sometimes when I write I leave out punctuation and indentation."I do that without even trying.
J.D. wrote: "Sorry, Rabid Reader. I'm new to the ways of Goodreads. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."It's alright! This was actually from me, though, I am one of the moderators here. I don't know that the rule applies to all of Goodreads, it's just a rule we have here :)
I'm having sort-of-writer's-block. I met my word count and have some stuff that might work, but about 400 words in, I got that annoying feeling where I can't tell if what I was writing is decent or complete garbage. Well, hopefully if it is garbage it can be salvaged. :) I hope.
♪ Tara ♪ wrote: "I'm having sort-of-writer's-block. I met my word count and have some stuff that might work, but about 400 words in, I got that annoying feeling where I can't tell if what I was writing is decent or..."Oh, I get that feeling too! I seem to deal with it best by just writing and powering onward.
I don't know what I do. Sometimes I put on some music or watch TV or something... maybe I take a break for a while. I often consult my writing mentor/advisors - my writing club advisor (the Grand Duke of the Island Kingdom of Gorgonzola in the Mountains, as we call him), or my friends who also write.
I started keeping a running log of ideas for different books. I think I'm up to 15 different story ideas, so when I get a block, I think about other book idea, and write down anything that come to mind. My last series required a lot of research, so if I got a block, I'd start surfing the research.
Another cool thing I did was try writing a scene, unrelated any specific book. Here is an example that made it into my second book. I wasn't writing it for the book, I had watch the movie August Rush, and wondered if I could write a scene that conveyed the visual of playing the piano, at the same time depict the music being played in a way that the music creates a visual.
__________________________________
“You want to know if I play.” She intimates, taking a sip.
“Well yes. We’ve got a couple hours before the data is decompressed. We’ve had great workouts, a pretty productive morning, so I would love to learn more about you.”
Rising from the couch, she walks over and sits down behind the piano. Her fingers trip across the keys, playing a few notes as she reacquaints herself with the instrument.
Michael sits down on a chair next to the piano, allowing him to see her face and watch her hands on the keys.
Rena closes her eyes, concentrating, recalling the music and notes from memory. The first chords come softly, slowly, moody yet heartfelt and light, working the midrange keys … cajoling Michael’s emotions to come out and play. The melody starts to give way to a lighter, up-tempo underlying harmony. Slowly building, the music evolves to a cacophony, reminding him of fireworks bursting in the sky, different colors, varying patterns and intensity. He watches as her delicate fingers dance an intricate ballet, moving rapidly up and down the far end of the keys. The euphonious brilliance taking him to places he’d never been before, sounds painted in vivid colors across the canvas of his mind. Eventually, she progresses back to the mid-range, only periodically venturing back to the fireworks. The mood shifts again, like rolling thunder approaching from the distance, faint to the ear, but present. The thunder grows, joined by flashes of lightning illuminating the music, like the fireworks, but deeper and more foreboding. The storm grows, intensifying, building to a crescendo, lightning and thunder entwined in rapturous magnificence, Rena’s fingers performing powerfully dexterous acrobatics, scaling up and down the keyboard. The storm starts to fade, rolling into the distance, a simple rainstorm left in its wake, that too fading away.
Placing her hands on her thighs, she opens her eyes and looks at Michael, tears forming.
He stares at her, eyes equally emotional, in awe of the beauty of this creature sitting before him. Takada referred to her as a diamond. Understanding his context, that declaration was so apt, yet so insufficient. “Rena, that was amazing. I never expected … How long have you been able to play like that?”
“You won’t believe me.” She smiles nervously.
“Let me guess, child prodigy”
“I was introduced to the piano when I was three-years old. I played that piece for the first time, flawless, when I was nine. It’s one of my favorites. I love the movements, the power and precision.”
“That was … the most beautiful and powerful music I have ever heard.” He exclaims.
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I showed this to friend, back when I was still trying to figure out if I could even do this ... write.
Her comment was "Holy shit! You're a writer!"
I ended up liking the sequence so much I put it into the book I was writing, and it really started my writing of that book.
As I said, wasn't writing anything in particular, just wanted to see if I could write something out of the box.
I usually, as some people have said before me, look through my notes that I take whenever I get an idea. I write down maybe the idea, or even write a couple of pages of what the story idea would be like, and then when i get writers block, I look the the journal! I only look at the journal when i have writers block, and I ALWAYS carry it with me in my bag-so therefore, writers block will never defeat me >=)
Amy wrote: "I usually, as some people have said before me, look through my notes that I take whenever I get an idea. I write down maybe the idea, or even write a couple of pages of what the story idea would be..."That's a great tactic :)
I try to take a short break and write a few notes on other story ideas, drink some tea, maybe take a short nap if possible. By this time I normally have broke thru my block
Ok ok call me crazy/pagan/belong in Limbo (I'd enjoy that, you know), but whatever. This is what I did and it helped:First I sat with it for a while. I moped (past of mope?). I was super upset.
I complained and complained and finally my friend gave me an idea.
So I wrote all my problems down on a piece of paper (it was like this - "Dear Muse, please let me write again, because life is so boring without writing. Love, Emma" - and I burned it. And now I can write again.
Mod
Ingrid wrote: "I have had this novel funk for about two years. When I was young, my writing was spontaneous and I would always finish what stories I liked. They were all outsidethebox stories. Now my stories feel..."I know that pain. Feel like I haven't had a new idea in months.
Mod
Have u sorted out your problem, or even gotten a writing partner to motivate you?
Ingrid wrote: "I have had this novel funk for about two years. When I was young, my writing was spontaneous and I would always finish what stories I liked. They were all outsidethebox stories. Now my stories feel..."I drag my husband/coauthor out to dinner and we brainstorm over burgers and milkshakes. Having another brain on the project helps a LOT with the sort of complexity that sounds like it's tripping you up. Is there anyone in your life you could draft (that is, drag kicking and screaming) into your writing life?
Mod
Back when I had my "funk", I had a super helpful friend who was my peer-editor, motivator. Now, thrown into a new city and lifestyle, I'm coping with the friends I have and can't entrust them with my flawed babies(writing). I like your thinking though.Thank you for your advice.
Heather wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "I have had this novel funk for about two years. When I was young, my writing was spontaneous and I would always finish what stories I liked. They were all outsidethebox stories. Now ..."I'm experimenting with a writing schedule. Seems to be more or less working.
I turn on my laptop....start typing things come in my mind about the story or character....then carve story around it.
Heather wrote: "Heather wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "I have had this novel funk for about two years. When I was young, my writing was spontaneous and I would always finish what stories I liked. They were all outsidetheb..."I too have been experimenting with a writing schedule. Trying to train my brain to automatically go into writing mode at certain times of the day.
I also have been trying to do a little creative writing using prompts a few times a week to keep different ideas flowing through me I just find a prompt and write for 20 minutes. Sometimes I use my characters from my novel, sometime I just write a short story from scratch.
Also, I'm writing a short story that I add to once a week. Like installments. (I got the idea from the way that Dickens wrote his novels back in the day.)
Threads such as these do me great service. Sometimes I'll read something and the flow will feel so smooth I'm convinced it was wrote with ease. I struggle greatly. Right now, I'm at that difficult 75% marker and have somewhat lost track of the plot. It's kinda great to know it's something all writers are hit with. I have no fixers to offer, but for me it helps to let the story be for a while, scribble down any random notes that may squeeze through, and wait for the plot continuation to catch up to me...it'll mostly strike right on the cusp of sleep.
Trysh wrote: "Heather wrote: "Heather wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "I have had this novel funk for about two years. When I was young, my writing was spontaneous and I would always finish what stories I liked. They were..."I wish I knew a trick to triggering dreams. Sometimes a dream will spark something for me.
Heather wrote: "Trysh wrote: "Heather wrote: "Heather wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "I have had this novel funk for about two years. When I was young, my writing was spontaneous and I would always finish what stories I li..."I actually take a pill to prevent myself from dreaming, so I wouldn't know
I know it sounds cocky, but it's true: I don't experience blocks. I write spiritual fiction and maybe because spirituality is such a vast subject, I have always something to write about. I have more books in my head than I could possibly write in my life. But to answer the question: it's important to know on which mental lever the block occurs. Let me explain: all my books start with an idea. An idea is a concise intention that I can put into one or two sentences. In the case of 'God Child', it was the intention to promote monohumanism. Level 2 (emotional/imagination): I fabricate a story that wraps up the book's idea (like a present). This fictional story serves as a catalyst to promote the book's intention. In the case of God Child, I made up the diary of a priest who encountered a supernatural vision and connected to the inner voice that would instruct him in spiritual truths. Level 3 (intellectual): I research and make a plan: I think about the detailed plot, list all the subjects I want to cover, come up with a conflict, etc. It was an intellectual decision to write a priest's diary, because I wanted to bridge the gap between spirituality and religion. If I manage to write from a priests perspective, I won't lose a religious reader, so I thought and I hope it worked :-)). Last but not least, I get down to the actual writing. Something that works for me on that level: I use a MacBook Air and have Alex read out loud what I write. I don't only catch spags, but get a good feel of the flow. Also, it gives a break for my eyes when they get tired reading. But it's nice too to have someone read your book for you, although it's just a computer.
Now, the block can occur on any of the four levels: the idea is missing or isn't well defined, not enough emotions are put into the story, the plan isn't well thought through, and last but not least: we're maybe be just tired. When we know which level is blocked, it's much easier to do something about it.
Hmm ... I have to correct myself: I do get exhausted sometimes and that blocks me, but in that case I just need to take a break for a few days and do nothing :-)), it's just a matter of time until the energy returns.
One last one: going for a long walk works miracles on all levels.
Rachel ~ SnapDragoness wrote: "I do a lot of "procrasticleaning", or various other things which are productive, but sadly don't involve any writing."Often times my writing begins in my head while I'm doing mundane tasks. Let your mind wander over objects you're cleaning, songs on the radio, people you see in public... see if anything you touch or see or hear could be the centerpiece of your next story.
When I have writers block, I come up with unusual names that I could put into the book and then I ask myself why I chose to put those names to a random character and then I write my response down. I change my response a little and the end result is a part of the story that I wouldn't have had if I hadn't had writer's block.
If i can't write for some reason and rotated through my projects (I keep 3-5 running for cases like this) then I play a video game or go outside to the park. usually i get ideas when i'm outside, walking, with no music and whatever i'm thinking about eventually goes onto a story i'm having difficulty with (which ever one it is in rotation) and i have to hurry home and write it down, or whip out my pda and thumb in furiously. then i get home and bam! i crank out easily 20 pages.sometimes i might not write for weeks because i'm depressed and just can't think. so i watch movies and a scene might jump me. like recently i was working on the third book of the agency series and got stuck. i looked at my outline and everything i just couldn't move forward. then i saw this film exam with the neighbors and though i was totally drunk, i hurried home and cranked out 20 pages before i passed out. once i got up and made sense of it, i've been on a roll since. XD
so sometimes you might have to do something else unreleated to writing and that random idea pops up.
I am working a rough draft for a tv series scenario. I made the director of the CIA Jewish. I want to know if that is at all plausible in real life? Would the CIA appoint a Jewish woman or man? And if not, why not?
Robbert wrote: "I am working a rough draft for a tv series scenario. I made the director of the CIA Jewish. I want to know if that is at all plausible in real life? Would the CIA appoint a Jewish woman or man? And..."I honestly don't see why not the possibilities are endless depending on how he handles his work life and his home life.
When you feel blocked, I find that I need to pull out all my reserves and draw even more inspiration from everything around me -- the natural environment, philosophers', theorists and explorers. Other writers' wisdom and basically just pushing forth.. *found an interesting quote in an article I was reading this morning over Coffee*
"Many people spend so much time doubting. Before you choose a profession, you have to stand still, close your eyes and think: who am I? … You know you are an artist when you have the urge to create, but this doesn’t make you a great artist. Great artists result from the sacrifices that you make to your personal life."
In the silence we hear the truth and it is in times of melancholic musings that we seek out solutions!
Ooh I got a great one for this. If you are having writers block, its probably because you are stuck trying to get particular scene or part of the story to move forward and you cant think of anything.
So what you do is MOVE FORWARD TO A DIFFERENT SCENE. If you jump ahead to a part of the story past that scene, you dont have to worry about getting the scene you were stuck on just right.
We all know what I am talking about, the dreaded bug that all of us seem to catch at some point or another without a cure. So, do you have any favorite ways or resources that you use to kick this unwanted guest to the curb? Please share them!