How to cure writers block??

[partial2passion]

Any ideas? I've tried reading other stories watching movies.. I dunno, any thoughts??

 

[Cruel2BKind]

If I knew, I would have a lot more stories out right now

 

[SamScribble]

In my experience, the only cure for writer’s block is writing. It doesn’t seem to matter what you write, as long as you write.

Write about writing. Write about not writing. Write about walking to the corner and back. And then, once you have a head of steam up, you can ditch the dross and get on with writing what you wanted to write all along.

 

[partial2passion]

In my experience, the only cure for writer’s block is writing. It doesn’t seem to matter what you write, as long as you write.

Write about writing. Write about not writing. Write about walking to the corner and back. And then, once you have a head of steam up, you can ditch the dross and get on with writing what you wanted to write all along.

Nice I'm gonna try that. Write about not writing? Lol more like vent...Smh

 

[master_chay]

Writer's block is often stress related. One way out of that is to de-stress first. Something that's helped me in the past is to write first thing, get up a bit earlier, rather than waiting for after work when I'm fucked and have nothing left to give.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

This topic pops up about every 6 weeks or so.

BOTTOMLINE: You need something worth writing about. Writers Block is pretty good evidence that your well is dry.

 

[mythtrav16]

Struggling with this myself ATM. I have this theory that it might be based off a sense of self-conciousness about my writing. In other words, I don't let myself write because I'm afraid what I write might suck, or I'm afraid that I'll be writing a story that I can't take anywhere.

I think that a helpful trick might be to remember that not everything you write will be seen by the public - only polished works that you approve make it out there. So there's no harm in committing loose thoughts - no matter how rediculous - to your hard drive. Even if the ideas are unusable, they might give you some building blocks that you can later refine for a different purpose. And even better, simply letting yourself write them down will fight the self-conciousness that blocks you writing the better stuff.

 

[lovecraft68]

Any ideas? I've tried reading other stories watching movies.. I dunno, any thoughts??

Try re-reading your previous stories.

This has worked for me in the past, re-read them and maybe you can recapture the mood.

The other thing is find something else to do for awhile and just let your mind relax. For me that's either darts or pool. I'll head to the bar, find a game with someone for awhile then come back and try again.

 

[partial2passion]

Oooff you people are awesome! I think mythtrav16 is right on the money. I'm gonna try everyone's suggestions. Thanks you guys!

 

[litfan10]

Hey P2P!

Honestly, the first "cause" for writer's block is people who have a thought to write, but the spark - desire - need is just not really there. They look at written work and think "I can do that" or "that looks like fun" but they are more readers than writers, and when they sit down it becomes work with many blank moments.

So taking you as a true writer, writer's block is very often a different issue. I have found as an editor and teacher working with other writers that the problem is they try to do more than one aspect of writing at a time.

A professional, or even serious amateur, writer really comprises five different "jobs." A writer is first a thinker and researcher, next a writer, then an editor followed by a proof reader and then finally a publisher. To do it right you need to do each separately. You can't write well when you are thinking if you spelled a word correctly or not. If you're thinking about a comma or hyphen then you are not thinking about the next words in the sentence or paragraph. If you have no idea what's next you shouldn't be writing but thinking or researching. If you are worried about a publishing deadline it's not going to help the writing of the words.

On and on and on and on, basically if you can keep the five phases separate and switch distinctly from one to the other (you don't have to move continually forward through the progression) writing should be easier as each phase enhances the others.

Good luck! I look forward to reading your work.

 

[lance gt]

Hey P2P!

Honestly, the first "cause" for writer's block is people who have a thought to write, but the spark - desire - need is just not really there. They look at written work and think "I can do that" or "that looks like fun" but they are more readers than writers, and when they sit down it becomes work with many blank moments.

So taking you as a true writer, writer's block is very often a different issue. I have found as an editor and teacher working with other writers that the problem is they try to do more than one aspect of writing at a time.

A professional, or even serious amateur, writer really comprises five different "jobs." A writer is first a thinker and researcher, next a writer, then an editor followed by a proof reader and then finally a publisher. To do it right you need to do each separately. You can't write well when you are thinking if you spelled a word correctly or not. If you're thinking about a comma or hyphen then you are not thinking about the next words in the sentence or paragraph. If you have no idea what's next you shouldn't be writing but thinking or researching. If you are worried about a publishing deadline it's not going to help the writing of the words.

On and on and on and on, basically if you can keep the five phases separate and switch distinctly from one to the other (you don't have to move continually forward through the progression) writing should be easier as each phase enhances the others.

Good luck! I look forward to reading your work.

I agree, LF. I can be writing away madly and then it's like someone threw a roadblock up. I found, as you say, that I was doing all tasks at once and losing focus on the primary goal, get the story down on paper and correct it later.

I'll write the scene out entirely, so it's down on the creen and then go over it for errors, or punctuation, before I start the next scene, or idea. Keeping the flow going is hard enough, so I stay with it, until the idea stops, or I need to take it somewhere else and concentrate on that.

 

[partial2passion]

Yea I agree. Thanks you guys.

I just finished my first story and that came natural because I pretty much had the whole story in my head and hashed it out quickly. But now I'm working on the sequel with new leading people. And I guess my writers block is more about making sure I stay accurate with first story. This story is a bit out of element (fast paced) and I can't decide on how my leading lady physical and personality will be like. I've already written a chapter but now I wanna scrap the whole thing. I dunno it'll come to me.. I hope.

 

[nicecthulhu]

If I may be so bold...

I think many of the ideas suggested are good, but the best one I like is...just write!
I would suggest writing stuff you know you can't publish anywhere. It can be something you shamelessly stole/copied/whatever. The people can be someone you know/hate/wish you knew. It could be something that's boring to everyone on the planet except you.
Just write something for the hell of it and don't think about ever letting anyone else read it.
See if that frees up your imagination somewhat.
Otherwise, I try to read (reread) my favourite authors such as Sturgeon, Heinlein, Spider Robinson, Lovecraft, Pratchett, etc. I'll then try to write something in that style, which I obviously cannot do, and then modify it in editing.
Otherwise a little action with your partner can stir up the creative juices...

 

[Brigid_Mo_Chroi]

Sometimes it's nice to try getting away from it for a little bit. Even just a few hours or few days. I don't know about you, but when my muse does cooperate I tend to be isolated from the world and working my butt off for a while. When I get writer's block I try to focus on getting out and doing things. New experiences if possible. Disrupt routine. Inspiration often comes from real life. So experience life for a little bit and see where that takes you.

 

[4glory6]

Do you have to write? For your income, or something? If not, just go do something else. When you are compelled to write, you'll be able to do it.

 

[SexyAlison]

Look for inspiration somewhere. Whether that be through other stories, movies, anything.