So it seems writer's block is running rampant the last week or so, myself included. *sigh*
What's your favorite way to clear it?
Active Ink Slinger
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Clearing Writer's Block....
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Active Ink Slinger
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A good sexual experience or fantasy gives me inspiration : )
Torture the data long enough and they will confess to anything.
Active Ink Slinger
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Just get out and do something besides writing, watching movies, or listening to music. Get out and move while thinking about possible situations.
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Active Ink Slinger
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For me personally, not thinking about the story helps. I mentally put the story on the back burner and revisit the idea a few days later. More often than not, I'm able to run with an idea.
In custody.
I love baseball!!!
I love baseball!!!
Alpha Blonde
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I procrastinate a lot and am easily distracted, but if you're having a hard time getting back into the writing... try just committing to writing a 1000 word story (without the intention to post them) every other day, just to get back into the groove of writing again. Knowing that it's just a short writing exercise sometimes takes the pressure off feeling like you need to create the perfect story. And eventually it gets the creative wheels turning again.
Lurker
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Reducing stress in my life seems to work for me, if I have worries I have trouble focusing on writing and can feel guilty for spending time sitting down when I know I have other things I need to do!
Purveyor of Poetry & Porn
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For me, reading other stories usually helps...and chatting is always a source of story ideas...
In the same vein, here is a quote I posted over on SS...
"My quote for today..."I recently asked a published author what I could do about a story that had simply come to an end without making a book-length work. Her answer was "You didn't give your hero enough problems at the start." Louise McMaster Bujold says her plot generator is "What's the worst thing I can do to this character?" If you've invented enough problems, all you have to do is put your characters at the entrance to the maze and let them run.""
In the same vein, here is a quote I posted over on SS...
"My quote for today..."I recently asked a published author what I could do about a story that had simply come to an end without making a book-length work. Her answer was "You didn't give your hero enough problems at the start." Louise McMaster Bujold says her plot generator is "What's the worst thing I can do to this character?" If you've invented enough problems, all you have to do is put your characters at the entrance to the maze and let them run.""
You know you want it, you know you need it bad...get it now on Amazon.com...
Lush Erotica, an Anthology of Award Winning Sex Stories
Purveyor of Poetry & Porn
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Damn, that posted twice...pretend this isn't here...
You know you want it, you know you need it bad...get it now on Amazon.com...
Lush Erotica, an Anthology of Award Winning Sex Stories
Active Ink Slinger
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chat to a femail friend and take a few of her key words and run with it......husband out for the evening...her new heels....girls night out....and then create,around that ...simple !
Lurker
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Quote by DirtyMartini
For me, reading other stories usually helps...and chatting is always a source of story ideas...
In the same vein, here is a quote I posted over on SS...
"My quote for today..."I recently asked a published author what I could do about a story that had simply come to an end without making a book-length work. Her answer was "You didn't give your hero enough problems at the start." Louise McMaster Bujold says her plot generator is "What's the worst thing I can do to this character?" If you've invented enough problems, all you have to do is put your characters at the entrance to the maze and let them run.""
Good idea Thanks for that advice Alan.
Moderator
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Quote by DirtyMartini
For me, reading other stories usually helps...and chatting is always a source of story ideas...
In the same vein, here is a quote I posted over on SS...
"My quote for today..."I recently asked a published author what I could do about a story that had simply come to an end without making a book-length work. Her answer was "You didn't give your hero enough problems at the start." Louise McMaster Bujold says her plot generator is "What's the worst thing I can do to this character?" If you've invented enough problems, all you have to do is put your characters at the entrance to the maze and let them run.""
I love that quote. I haven't really thought about it that way before.
Active Ink Slinger
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Quote by DirtyMartini
For me, reading other stories usually helps...and chatting is always a source of story ideas...
In the same vein, here is a quote I posted over on SS...
"My quote for today..."I recently asked a published author what I could do about a story that had simply come to an end without making a book-length work. Her answer was "You didn't give your hero enough problems at the start." Louise McMaster Bujold says her plot generator is "What's the worst thing I can do to this character?" If you've invented enough problems, all you have to do is put your characters at the entrance to the maze and let them run.""
That's the best advice I've had in.. wel... Forever!! Thanks DM!!
Active Ink Slinger
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I think the biggest cause of writer's block is taking the writing too seriously and thus becoming perfectionist about it. The best way to get past the block is to make use of whatever ideas come to mind no matter how stupid or unworkable they seem to be. If they really are unworkable then you can always change them later, but the only way to get to the next idea is through the one you are not satisfied with.
The reason I don't write much other than erotica is that I don't take erotica seriously. If I were going to write a mystery story, let alone a serious deep novel, I'd be very fussy about plotting and characterisation and researching settings for the action. And I'd probably never finish what I was writing. But I can write erotica because it is trash where nothing really matters except to titillate and entertain. My expectations of myself are fairly low when I write erotica. Of course that doesn't mean that it is true of others. Of course there are great works of erotic literature, but that isn't what I'm trying for.
One of the best books on overcoming writer's block and setting free your imagination is Impro : Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone. It is actually about improvising on stage, but the exercises he suggests and the basic philosophy of accepting and using your stream of consciousness have been tremendously helpful to me. In fact, I doubt if I would have started writing stories at all if I hadn't read his book many years ago.
The reason I don't write much other than erotica is that I don't take erotica seriously. If I were going to write a mystery story, let alone a serious deep novel, I'd be very fussy about plotting and characterisation and researching settings for the action. And I'd probably never finish what I was writing. But I can write erotica because it is trash where nothing really matters except to titillate and entertain. My expectations of myself are fairly low when I write erotica. Of course that doesn't mean that it is true of others. Of course there are great works of erotic literature, but that isn't what I'm trying for.
One of the best books on overcoming writer's block and setting free your imagination is Impro : Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone. It is actually about improvising on stage, but the exercises he suggests and the basic philosophy of accepting and using your stream of consciousness have been tremendously helpful to me. In fact, I doubt if I would have started writing stories at all if I hadn't read his book many years ago.
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Quote by aussiescribbler
I think the biggest cause of writer's block is taking the writing too seriously and thus becoming perfectionist about it. The best way to get past the block is to make use of whatever ideas come to mind no matter how stupid or unworkable they seem to be. If they really are unworkable then you can always change them later, but the only way to get to the next idea is through the one you are not satisfied with.
The reason I don't write much other than erotica is that I don't take erotica seriously. If I were going to write a mystery story, let alone a serious deep novel, I'd be very fussy about plotting and characterisation and researching settings for the action. And I'd probably never finish what I was writing. But I can write erotica because it is trash where nothing really matters except to titillate and entertain. My expectations of myself are fairly low when I write erotica. Of course that doesn't mean that it is true of others. Of course there are great works of erotic literature, but that isn't what I'm trying for.
One of the best books on overcoming writer's block and setting free your imagination is Impro : Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone. It is actually about improvising on stage, but the exercises he suggests and the basic philosophy of accepting and using your stream of consciousness have been tremendously helpful to me. In fact, I doubt if I would have started writing stories at all if I hadn't read his book many years ago.
Great advice, I'm reading a book that mention's you have to find meaning in what ever it is, even the mundane has some meaning behind what you do. Also having fun with writing like Auzzie said is a must!
Wild at Heart
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I actually find that the more time I spend dicking around on lush the less likely I am to write. I feel that the few times Ive been able to squeeze a little tale out is when I have been away from the computer for a few days. Also I feel more into writing after doing something fun. If I'm too bored just lounging around I can't think of anything.
Advanced Wordsmith
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Sometimes I just walk away and listen to music. I will also turn my attention to watching television and another thing in my arsenal would be to just write another story. I have also been known to just stop writing for a week or two to gather my thoughts as life gets rough. Sometimes surfing the internet or watching television will give you an idea or a starting point.
Just let it go.
Active Ink Slinger
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Brainstorming notes is a good way to get your mind active on any subject. Very often as you write the notes you can get good ideas. However if you've written the notes and aren't particularly inspired by anything - leave them and stop thinking about whatever the problem is. Your subconscious mind will then work on the material and within a few days ideas will start popping in your head.
Lurker
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I'll preface his response by admitting I'm probably the lesser of all writters on Lush, but I've been a musician for more years than I care to remember and the two arts are very similar. I never force myself to write, so I never really get writters block. Sometimes I can sit down with a notebook and blank mind and ideas just come to me as I write. Other times ideas come to me at inopportune times, like while driving, or at work. I've missed out on some good ideas so I actually cary a digital recorder with me I won't forget them. I started doing that with musical thoughts and it works well for writting too.
When ideas dry up for me musically, I listen to different genres... classical, opera, rennessianse, gregorian chant, anything that's not on my IPOD. I find it keeps creativity fresh. I suppose someone who has writers block could use that same approach by reading something different, or save time and "read" an audio book while driving.
Collaboration is another good way to get the creative juices flowing.
When ideas dry up for me musically, I listen to different genres... classical, opera, rennessianse, gregorian chant, anything that's not on my IPOD. I find it keeps creativity fresh. I suppose someone who has writers block could use that same approach by reading something different, or save time and "read" an audio book while driving.
Collaboration is another good way to get the creative juices flowing.
Author
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I have simply denied myself sex. Once the pressure builds enough the creative juices start flowing...
But going without sucks
... literally.
But going without sucks
... literally.
Active Ink Slinger
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I just went through an awful case of writer's block. It helps to know why you are blocked - know yourself and be honest. Some things that helped me:
1. Know you are not alone or weird or doomed to never write again.
2. I need to write daily or I lose connection with it and doubt sets in and I forget what I loved about writing and I stop having fun. That's not a good thing!
3. If your write's block is connected to life stresses or insecurities - put it into your story. Make your character an insecure person who fights and wins, for example.
4. You have to separate creative brain from the editor brain. The editor's job is to check the grammar, pick the write word, check spelling, make it as perfect as can be...That is totally not productive when you are writing a story. The creative/muse is fun and along for the ride, the editor is serious and meant to enforce rules. Just write and worry about the proofreading stuff later. There is always time to make it "right".
5. Getting Ideas etc: The creative two-step: I just found this technique for tricking your Muse/creative brain to give up the goods...so to speak. The article is below and it has been such a godsend for me...the ideas were there, I just didn't have days to wait for them. I get to frustrated and this helps me get some fresh ideas to keep me excited.
Tricking the Muse: The Creative Two-Step: http://www.writersstore.com/story-weaving-story-structure-for-passionate-writers
I hope this helps!
1. Know you are not alone or weird or doomed to never write again.
2. I need to write daily or I lose connection with it and doubt sets in and I forget what I loved about writing and I stop having fun. That's not a good thing!
3. If your write's block is connected to life stresses or insecurities - put it into your story. Make your character an insecure person who fights and wins, for example.
4. You have to separate creative brain from the editor brain. The editor's job is to check the grammar, pick the write word, check spelling, make it as perfect as can be...That is totally not productive when you are writing a story. The creative/muse is fun and along for the ride, the editor is serious and meant to enforce rules. Just write and worry about the proofreading stuff later. There is always time to make it "right".
5. Getting Ideas etc: The creative two-step: I just found this technique for tricking your Muse/creative brain to give up the goods...so to speak. The article is below and it has been such a godsend for me...the ideas were there, I just didn't have days to wait for them. I get to frustrated and this helps me get some fresh ideas to keep me excited.
Tricking the Muse: The Creative Two-Step: http://www.writersstore.com/story-weaving-story-structure-for-passionate-writers
I hope this helps!
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Purveyor of Poetry & Porn
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Btw, I'm most happy to report that the definitive cure for writer's block has finally been found...
Just a public service announcement for my Lush friends...
Just a public service announcement for my Lush friends...
You know you want it, you know you need it bad...get it now on Amazon.com...
Lush Erotica, an Anthology of Award Winning Sex Stories
Lurker
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Quote by DirtyMartini
Btw, I'm most happy to report that the definitive cure for writer's block has finally been found...
Just a public service announcement for my Lush friends...
I concur and add some
with good friends to the mix and you're jamming. Nothing more fun than writing when inebriated.
Lurker
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I clear my writer's block by sometimes just letting my stories come to me.
Internet Philosopher
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Everyday stresses can block me for long periods of time. Writing poetry sometimes gets my creative juices flowing but not always. After my last creative period I again found myself looking at a blank page and this time nothing was helping until I picked up my kindle and read a novel that I had been eyeing. Viola now I'm working on a project that had been shelved for months.
Lurker
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Quote by Milik_The_Red
Everyday stresses can block me for long periods of time. Writing poetry sometimes gets my creative juices flowing but not always. After my last creative period I again found myself looking at a blank page and this time nothing was helping until I picked up my kindle and read a novel that I had been eyeing. Viola now I'm working on a project that had been shelved for months.
Working too hard saps my creative ideas, because I'm still thinking about what I have to do next. My most creative time, is when I have no distractions and no alcohol, typing random thoughts like a monologue! I write best when it's either really early and quiet in the morning or very late at night when I feel a quiet decend on the house.
Also, get un-finished writing material out today and just edit it, editing is fun, it's what makes you a writer!
Lurker
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I meditate.
I only get writers block when I'm stressed and/or have a lot on my mind and for me meditation gets rid of both of those things. I meditate for about 30 minuted to an hour and I am able to get right back in to my story
I only get writers block when I'm stressed and/or have a lot on my mind and for me meditation gets rid of both of those things. I meditate for about 30 minuted to an hour and I am able to get right back in to my story
Lurker
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Usually a day or two put in at my bookshop, plus a hot cup of coffee while I unblock my brain...hopefully.
Active Ink Slinger
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I deal with writers block (as in preventing it from happening or clearing it when it does) by simply having two or three stories in the works at a time. That way if I get stumped on one, I can switch gears and work on something else. And quite often one story will work to clear the bock on the other! Especially if they are in different categories.
But then I'm a pretty twisted sort anyway! ;)
But then I'm a pretty twisted sort anyway! ;)
Story Verifier
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My solution to the formerly all too frequent bouts of writers block is keeping a word count and changing my writing aim to avoiding stagnation. I've got a huge folder of unrelated snippets and openings to which I add when I'm stuck with my stories. If I haven't managed to continue one of the "real" stories for ten minutes, I open a blank document and simply start typing whatever comes to my mind, either a situation between people that pops up in my mind or just a completely mundane moment that happened over the day, and on really bad day, just strings of random words pushed into a correct grammatical order. It really doesn't matter, and once I've managed more than 100 words, I allow myself to stop. More often than not, this is enough of an igniting spark to give me an idea for one of my ongoing stories, but if not, I doesn't matter either. Once I'm done, I add the new writing to the word count and am happy that it has increased. At first it may seem a bit unimpressing, but, as time goes by, a week of writer's block isn't a week without writing anymore, but rather a week of slower rising word count, and three weeks of blockage still make 3000 words.
