Writer's block

27 Dec 2012

To all the authors out there...what, if any, things you try to get over a writer's block..
The story is inside me.. I want to write but the second I click on the Word Icon.. nothing really comes to mind.

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
― Helen Keller

27 Dec 2012

One thing I have found helps me is writing on paper. I put my laptop and all its distractions away, take out a pad of paper and just write. It's a much freer way to let your creativity flow out and, even if a lot of what you write doesn't end up in the final piece, at least you're getting it out there and building a basis for the story.

Another bonus of this is the extra time to edit and proof-read when you transfer it on to your computer later.

27 Dec 2012

The flashing cursor at the top of a blank page can be intimidating; as Clum has suggested scribbling ideas on bits of paper can help to start you off. Alternatively, just borrow a line from somewhere - out of a newspaper, a magazine, wherever.

Remember that you don't have to start a story at the beginning - just write whichever bit you have in mind. Trying to come-up with the perfect opening line for a story is a waste of precious writing time. Better to get on with writing the story and then add a good opener when you know what the story is about. Or come-up with a good title - maybe a pun or recycle a well-known title. For example, 'Toy Story' is an obvious one for a girl and her vibrator.

Writing is like any other exercise, it's difficult to start with but the more you do it, the easier it gets.

These days, I often start writing and see where the story takes me. I don't worry about grammar, spelling or punctuation, I just write. Obviously I go back and edit, but that's later in the process. The point is, it doesn't look like the finished article first time round. It's sometimes a mess of half-finished ideas which I highlight by putting a block of [][][][][]

Sometimes it's like the words are already there, lined-up just waiting for me to capture them and glue them to the paper. Writing can (and should) be fun - as an example, my story 'Witch Way to the Apocalypse' was an absolute blast to write. I decided that I wanted to write a witch vs devil story, created a file called 'EndOfDays.doc' and started writing. I'd been thinking about the basics of the story in the shower. I hadn't written anything down, but it was lurking; 'things' were starting to take shape. The first decision I made was what to call the devil... I liked 'Stan' as a play on 'Satan'. The name was an important ancor for the character in my head - and it was cemented by the first line:

“Hello ‘Stan’, or should I say Spawn-of-Satan, Master-of-Lies, Lord-of-Darkness, Devil-Incarnate, Author-of-all-Sin, Tempter, Wicked-One, Enemy-of-Righteousness…”
“Just ‘Stan’ is fine,” the Dark One interrupted.

The next line I had was "Maggie gets awful cross when she catches me spitting on the carpet." so I started writing towards that.

The only thing I cut-out was a rather obtuse chemistry joke - "The buggers have probably changed the recipe,” Granny replied quickly, throwing Alice a look sharp enough to split a water molecule back into an ‘H’ and two ‘O’s.

If someone didn't get that it's a joke, it just looks like a mistake. Again, the point is that when you write, you should write to entertain yourself first. Whatever you write, some people will love it, some will hate it. Just try and make sure you're always in the first group.

My parting advice - just write. If you want me to have a look at it before you go for publication, just send it through.

27 Dec 2012

Here's an article on writer's block that I think makes some good points...

Writer’s Block: The 12-Step Cure
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/11/30/cure-writers-block/

Here's another related article...

3 Cures for Writer's Block: Risk, Risk, Risk!
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2011/04/3-cures-for-writers-block-risk-risk-risk/

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2 Jan 2013

Try the paper and pen/pencil approach. Just jot down the idea even if it's in an outline form.

Another thought... is record your idea with your voice. There are several free programs where you can record your voice so instead of trying to type... just speak your idea (you can also use a tape recorder or other devices) and later, listen and type. director

I think it's more of a psyching yourself out... too much stress at a blank word document. Also, do you like quite or are you a noisy background person. I personally do my best writing when there is music or the TV making noise in the background. Some need absolute quite. computer

Okay... I wish you lots of luck & I hope one day I'll be reading your story.

5 Jan 2013

I took up photography to help get over writer's block. Sounds odd, but I was inspired to write again by an image I captured on my camera. The image I captured became a poem I wrote that got published in an anthology a year ago.

www.szadvntures.com

Latest story:

TBD
Bump in the Night-Microfiction
Smoke Break-Interracial

14 Jan 2013

I keep a daily journal of morning pages - basically I scribble all of the nonsense that pops into my mind into it 9 times out 10 when all the clutter is out of the way I'll get snippets of the story boiling in my head. That's when I open Word and start typing. Hope this helps - I know how daunting the white page can be... Good luck!

2 Feb 2013

Something that i use sometimes is thing of how the story is gonna go, plot out the dialogue, and just start typing as the thoughts come to you. Over time, the edits will come.

"I ‘accidentally’ wrapped my hand over my pitched tent. “Trying to cover it up” I lied to myself. Only to be rewarded by chills rocketing down my spine. Fuck! I needed to cum now! "

"Wasted Time" by

Gentleman With Handcuffs

7 Feb 2013

I usually try to diagram the story out. Set up a timeline, plan how certain scenes will go, &c. I guess it's almost like a story board. Then, I just write. Doesn't matter if it's garbage, I just write, and if it's bad, I edit it later, but I at least get something onto the page to work with.

7 Feb 2013

I'm a bit blocked in that I have several bits of stories written but I'm having trouble hitting closure on any of them. Last time this happened, I cracked off a "quickie" and that seemed to get things moving. Hasn't worked this time, though, because my mind really, really wants to write something longer and a bit plotty. Next strategy is to pick on that's been ripening (i.e. that's been sitting untouched on my Google Drive for a while) and try to edit and finish it.

17 Feb 2013

Btw...if you think you have trouble with writer's block...

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18 Feb 2013

Something that I've tried is to work on another project, or even a writing prompt. This is especially true if you've been working on the same project/series/etc. for a long time. The change of pace allows you to stretch your creative mind in a different direction and may give you new insights into your main creative focus. I wouldn't necessarily recommend stopping writing; it's hard to get started again.

Keep in mind that I'm not really an expert at this. In fact, I'm going through my own dry spell right now; I open up a story title that sounds interesting, and that cursor just stays there at the beginning of the first paragraph.

Maybe I should take my own advice. d'oh!

20 Feb 2013

if you really can't come up with anything just stop and try again later.Something else that helps me is just write what comes to your mind.the beauty of writing on pc is you can always fill the blanks later

21 Feb 2013

One way to get past a block is to think like a wingman/wingwoman, instead of a cock blocker. Think of ways the writer can "assist" the lovers to get together. Build up one or the other or both; make a conversation where the characters seduce each other; create a spontaneous event that throws them physically together..let Nature take its course.

11 Sep 2013

I call it thought barriers

28 Nov 2013

I usually try watching well written TV shows. Like Castle, or Person of interest. Sometimes TV will get my creative juices flowing, but not always. Or, sometimes I just stopped for a short while. I find myself trying, trying, and trying, but I get nothing. It's because my nerves become shot, and just freezes my creative juices. Take a break for a day or so. Maybe shorter, or longer. I hope this helps you.

3 Dec 2013

I (if the situation permits) try to carry around a small pad and pencil to jot down any ideas I get there's nothing worse than being away from any writing utensils and getting a great story idea. As for story ideas I always like to use previous experience as inspiration, try thinking of exciting encounters you've had previously, or have wanted to have to get the creative juices flowing.