Not even WRITER'S BLOCK.
The Block of the Writer is such a broad term. It's like the monster under the bed. It's there, living and breathing and just as real as my teddy bear (which is very).
This is when writer's block happens to me:
- When I lose interest in a scene
- When I don't write for a while
- When I spend too much time on the internet
- When I over-think things
- When I compare my writing journey to that of a "more successful" writer
But the thing with writer's block (just like the monster under the bed), is that it's often only there when I think about it.
As my interest in a scene is dwindling, I'll stress about how bad it is and how I can't write better and then the words WRITER'S BLOCK smack me like my character bashing me with a fly swatter. Or a brick. Soon, all I can think about is how I have writer's block and therefore can't write, so I sit staring at a wall like the pathetic failure of a writer that I most certainly am.
The thing about me is that I have the tendency to view everything as permanent. That includes everything from the writer's block I'm wallowing in to the rush of writing the perfect scene. I often don't realize that these things come and go.
But I've discovered that my fleeting emotions and mindsets make me no less of a writer. Whether or not I feel like I can write, what defines me is that I do. That I just write. That I push past writer's block again and again and keep writing. That's what makes me a writer.
This is how I get over writer's block:
- Write random thoughts/journal (a later post!)
- Write a blog post
- Pinterest prompts!
- Call a friend
- Go for a walk
- Read
If you're struggling with writer's block, just keep going! Work on something new, walk away from the computer. It's just temporary, but you do have the power to determine how long it will last. Make a list of what triggers writer's block in you and come up with a battle plan to fight and defeat it next time it attacks.
Have a blessed Holy Thursday!
Anne Marie, I spent last night listening to Joyce Carol Oates talk about writing. An audience member asked her about writers block and she answered that she has it when the story is not ready yet. She gives it time, by running, looking at art, listening to music and when the story is ready it comes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that if I start another project or walk away and come back the block is gone. Sometimes just a cookie or scoop of ice cream is all I need.
Keep up the good work.
Good advice! Thanks for reading!
DeleteUsually for me writer's block comes whenever I'm feeling some emotion very strongly that is not present within the story I'm trying to write. In that case, I write a story that emphasizes that emotion, or in some cases the exact opposite of that emotion, or sometimes some form of nonfiction.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, thanks for sharing!
DeleteWriter's block sucks! I had it really bad once. I couldn't write for months. I then realized it was because my story was too immature since I'd grown a lot when I first started it. Listening to music, taking a walk, doing some other form of art like drawing often helps me defeat the block.
ReplyDeleteThat happened to me before, not fun at all! And those are all fabulous ways to combat writer's block!
DeleteI love the monster under the bed analogy, it's so true!
ReplyDeleteRight?! Scary!
DeleteGood post, Annie. I find that for me, writer's block is most often an excuse for laziness. ;) But that doesn't stop it from developing into total frozen mode every time I sit down to write after being away from the computer for over a week. When I get to that point, reading excellent books gets me back into the game better than anything.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree!
DeleteGlad you're surviving the Challenge so far.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I've ever suffered from writer's block, but sometimes I do get bouts of laziness that keep me from writing. Or I just get in a mood that I want to do something other than write. I can always think of excuses.
But I think you covered the topic well and your solutions make absolute sense to me. Actually I do a lot of these things though I hadn't thought of my actions in terms of curing writer's block, but doing them does work.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Arlee!
DeleteJ here, stopping by from the #atozchallenge as part of the A to Z Ambassador Team! (I'm a minion/volunteer under Arlee.)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I'm looking forward to more. Let me know if I can help you in any blogging way this month. I've followed you on G+, but your GFC wasn't connecting for some reason.
@JLenniDorner
My tip on overcoming writer's block? Go write a letter of resignation.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/391109548862482187/
Thank you so much, J! Very sweet of you.
Deletesome great ideas to remove the block! sometimes reading helps too. or visiting other bloggers!
ReplyDeletehappy b day!
Truth! Thanks so much, Tara!
DeleteWriter's block is a serious menace! I love the idea of taking a walk, or sometimes yard work or something else completely unrelated to writing helps too. I have a book of prompts that helps me "unblock." I love your statement, btw, of what makes you a writer, that you keep GOING!!!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you so much, Cortney!
DeleteDoing the comparison game is the best way for me to get blocked up. I usually give myself permission to write some crappy stuff to get me rolling. That helps take the pressure off. Going for a walk or decluttering a closet helps too.
ReplyDeleteVery true! High expectations are my downfall. Thank you for your comments!
DeleteHi Anne Marie, I'm zipping around your A-Z posts, like I promised.
ReplyDeleteI get writer's block all the time. For me, it's because I know what I want to say but I can't figure out how. I'm not a planner, so apart from the beginning and end - and a few odd scenes in between - I'm completely free falling.