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#Post#: 370--------------------------------------------------
Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Dot Dreadful
Date: October 1, 2013, 10:31 am
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Some say this restrictive beast is a myth, and those lucky
enough to never have spent any amount of time trapped underneath
this monstrosity won't understand the terror it inspires just
reading the title. But for those of us who do experience this,
breaking out of the throes of Writer's Block can seem a very
impossible task; and it seems no one person has the magic
response to what exactly to do about breaking it. Some say to
just write, write, write! No matter what. Others say to take a
break from writing, focus on something else; others still say
reading is the best cure for Writer's Block.
What I'd like to know is, how do you identify that you have
Writer's Block (and aren't just feeling lazy) and what do you do
to break it? Or do you just wait it out? Share tips, any will
do, as you never know what help you'll provide a fellow writer!
#Post#: 377--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Bikky
Date: October 1, 2013, 12:33 pm
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I usually just wait for inspiration to hit me. I tried the
write, write, write thing, and I either just wrote crap or
stared at the empty page before my ADD kicked in and I went
somewhere else. The reading thing for me, just left me wanting
more books. And with that you have to be careful you're just not
rewriting that story into your work. (not sure if that made
sense) However, I agree reading is a good idea if you're serious
about being a writer. It's a good way to see how other published
authors write.
I guess you just have find out which method works for you. We're
not all the same person; therefore if something worked on me it
might not work you, Dottie.
#Post#: 381--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Dot Dreadful
Date: October 1, 2013, 12:53 pm
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I've heard that tip before, to be careful not to write
immediately after reading someone else's work or you'll emulate
their writing style and that's bad--and I can understand why
reading would make you want more books. I will say though, that
reading my favorite author does help me open my own eyes to my
own potential, so I'm not entirely convinced it's a bad idea.
When it comes to me I can only force if I'm just feeling lazy;
if I seriously have no inspiration there's no amount of forcing
that's gonna get anything done, and I detest forced work anyway.
I've been doing drabble exercises over the last couple weeks
that has been helping me get back on the horse so to speak, but
it's slow-going at best.
And I wasn't looking for a fix-all; I was just curious how
others deal with Writer's Block. I don't think there is a single
one fix that's universal, now wouldn't that be too much to ask
for. u_u; But I thought maybe sharing tips would help because
maybe you do something someone else hasn't tried yet, and it
winds up being useful to them in some way.
#Post#: 384--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: renohotness
Date: October 1, 2013, 6:24 pm
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I've dealt with writer's block so many times, I've lost count.
The longest being over a year. I can usually tell the difference
between my imagination just being tired and the block of it
being empty. Most days, I can sit down and the words flow until
I have to make myself stop. The block, for me, is literally
diving into my head and stubbing my fingers over and over again
trying to grip words. It's a lot different than staring at my
computer and thinking "I'd rather be playing Mass Effect." or
annoying my cat for no reason at all. More than usual. But I'm
sure the sensation is different just like their 'fixes' are
different.
I don't normally try to write through mine since it usually
happens because I write too much and end up with an imagination
drought. And I truly believe that's possible. I've learned now
to just take a day off once or so a week and do everything
except write. Mostly that consists of gaming or smooshing my
face to Tumblr as I oogle my current fandom obsession (Vaas,
darling~).
I'm scared that if I try to write during a block and nothing
happens, it will only discourage me more. If all else fails,
going outside on a pretty day and just breathing as I let my
mind wander also helps. I don't think it's any one fix. You have
to go through the stages just like any other tragedy.
Denial
Panic
Guilt
Grief
More panic
A little more denial
Raging
Acceptance
Eating crap loads of chocolate and ice cream isn't a known cure
but they sure are delicious.
#Post#: 386--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Felina Frenzy
Date: October 1, 2013, 10:02 pm
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You know, writer's block seems a lot like depression.
/cries in corner
#Post#: 393--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Dot Dreadful
Date: October 2, 2013, 9:40 am
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^ u_u; So much this. /comforts
Also Amber you're pretty dead on with what it feels like trying
to write when there's no goddamn inspiration. That well runs dry
and there's not a goddamn thing to be done about it. I've had
Writer's Block for over a year before, but that's been a long
while ago now and I think what I have now is just a small case
of it. It's just a touch, where there's inspiration, but like
the car is stuck between neutral and drive. I'm getting there,
I'm still getting plot ideas and things that I want to do, but
writing them is just...so slow. So like I said, I am writing
drabble exercises when I can, and I set a limit for myself (no
more than two pages) and I just write. Even if it's mildly
forced, even if it sucks, I write. It's difficult and I hate it
but it'll never get better (at least for me) if I don't do
something.
Otherwise I do, wind up playing Gears of War or yes, annoying
the piss out of my cat while she's trying to sleep because I'm
wanting to do anything other than stare at the blank page and
blinking cursor.
#Post#: 397--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: renohotness
Date: October 2, 2013, 7:21 pm
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Yes. That slow trudge through the quicksand kind of writing.
Those feels. I've run into that quite a few times and do one of
two things: (aside from start to panic/get frustrated) write
something so completely out of my comfort zone that I want to
burn it afterward or read. I have a friend I like to throw ideas
at and if I'm lucky enough, it spurs her to write something. Her
writing is like a drug for me. I can slam my head into a wall
for days but reading something from her just opens my mind. It's
the weirdest feeling. She helps me find my words. I can never
explain in a way that makes sense. My living, breathing muse, I
suppose.
I think it's also important for us to step out of our safe zones
as Writers sometimes. We get comfortable writing certain kinds
of stories/readers. Even if it's something so hardcore and
embarrassing that you'd never post it or so sappy and sugary
sweet that hearts drift by your head as you type it, give your
brain something new to figure out. If nothing else it might lead
to ideas you can use in a current story. Just like you can't do
jumping jacks forever and hope to be lean and awesome, you have
to exercise your brain in different ways, too.
#Post#: 399--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Bikky
Date: October 4, 2013, 6:20 pm
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Oooo I never thought about writing out of my comfortzone
#Post#: 401--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Felina Frenzy
Date: October 4, 2013, 7:04 pm
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Lol, if I thought about writing out of my comfort zone, that
freezes me up. I won't write because of that. BUT THAT'S JUST ME
RESTRICTING MYSELF. -Looks in mirror, does the finger thing.- Oh
you.
Ah, as for my piece of advice: they say writing everyday is
supposed to help you. Even if you feel like you cannot write,
write about anything and everything. Freewriting is supposed to
help loosen you up before you actually begin to write. I've
tried freewriting, like true honest freewriting no fucks given,
twice in my life and I love it.
#Post#: 452--------------------------------------------------
Re: Writer's Block : A Massive Four Letter Word
DIR By: Such A Fckn Lady
Date: October 5, 2013, 3:45 pm
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[color=green]I say start writing for writing prompts. That
actually helped me to write a short story for my creative
writing class when I was a senior in high school. That gets you
writing outside of your comfort zone, you're writing everyday
(or every week...whatever your speed is), the prompts could end
up becoming some really good ideas, you could end up writing
more...the possibilities open you up and you may feel a bit
better.
That Writer's Write page that was posted on the FOS facebook
page always posts some prompts up...some really good ones, from
what I've seen. So I would say to give it whirl and see where it
takes you.
Reading also helps me, sometimes. It depends on the book for
me...I find that if something really inspires you, like a song
or a book or a painting, go to that. Music and books often
inspire me whenever I'm in a jam, so I turn to those, and I
write down every little idea that I have when listening or
reading, even if it's dumb, it helps me. Or I'll talk to my
little sister, who's always super supportive and is actually a
fan of what I write (and she keeps pushing me to start on my
novel...which I'm procrastinating on and I should really take my
own advice, lol), and just talking with her about writing will
give me ideas.
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