How do you deal with writer's block?

[LovesNipples]

I have had a horrific case of writer's block, doing only one submission in a year, because I just can't seem to get the juices flowing. Any suggestions on how to deal with it?

 

[jdnunyer]

Poorly.

I've struggled with it at times and overcome it easily at others. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I understand what accounts for the difference. When I'm fortunate enough to be unaffected by it, I don't allow myself to procrastinate during designated writing time. But when it's bad enough, resisting the siren song of spider solitaire only seems to result in staring at a blank screen.

Reading articles like this sometimes helps, but ultimately I find them a bit trite. "Trying to lose weight? Have you tried eating less and exercising more?" they might as well ask. To which, I'd respond, "Why no, I haven't! Thank you so much for that brilliant suggestion, random person I just made up for rhetorical purposes!" But YMMV.

 

[SamScribble]

Pour yourself a large glass of decent red wine and just start writing. It works for me.

 

[sr71plt]

Find something else to do until/unless you just can't wait to get back to the keyboard.

 

[TE999]

I have had a horrific case of writer's block, doing only one submission in a year, because I just can't seem to get the juices flowing. Any suggestions on how to deal with it?

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Here's some thoughts about what to do:

1) Don't think about how you're not writing. Seriously. The muses are fickle wenches and will approach you when they're ready.

2) Read everything you can get your hands on. Books (fiction and non-fiction), magazines, newspapers, etc. Quite often there's a germ of a plot idea lurking in there.

3) Avoid overexposure to movies, TV and Video games. They're colossal time wasters and there are no ideas there worth exploring. The internet can be a source of ideas, however.

4) Go where people congregate like malls, street fairs, boardwalks, local parks and attractions, amusement parks, concerts, sporting events, etc. Seeing the human comedy in all its bizarre manifestations will pique your interest and energize your imagination. Think up scenarios about people you see and how you'd think they'd react.

5) Keep a notebook handy and jot down story ideas no matter how shopworn, banal, geeky or outre'; ideas are ideas and can often be developed into something useful.

Good luck.

 

[SecondCircle]

That kind of writer's block is a bit different from the type usually seen.

Normally, a writer is stuck on a story. A tricky element, an ending, the direction it's headed, etc.

Yours seems to be a problem with inspiration. Really, it just starts with what you know, what you are passionate about, and what you want to ultimately create. Just find something you think is hands down awesome and try to spin a tale from it. In the case of Lit, think about what sexual scenario that really turns you on, throw some characters in there that you can really identify with, and go with it. With horror, for instance, I think of what scares me. Usually what scares one will scare another.

For you, I would start small. Write a one or two page lit story. Basic premise, basic characters, and use a fantasy of yours that gets you hot. Chances are, the story might advance and grow from there. Just start writing something you enjoy. Even set aside some time for it.

Really though, you have to have the passion for the actual act of writing to start with. You seem to have the "want" to write, but a lot of times, writers can't look in any direction without spitballing some sort of plot bunny. But if nothing is jumping out at you, just pick something that makes you feel hot and bothered just thinking of it.

Or hire a big Somoan guy.

 

[GorgeousGeekGirl]

I have had a horrific case of writer's block, doing only one submission in a year, because I just can't seem to get the juices flowing. Any suggestions on how to deal with it?

Walk away from it for a while. Do other things. Let hose other things be enriching experiences like learning a new skill, getting together with friends and family, reading or watching a classic, going to a concert or local festival, or finally cleaning out that closet you've been meaning to do. Once you've recharged, you'll either continue the story, decide how you want to change the story, or nix it altogether. You're not a paid author under contract so even hitting the delete button isn't a huge loss. The two things you don't want to do is try to force a breakthrough or force a story where you think it should go. Staring at blank paper only gives eyestrain, and forcing a story produces drek. I've been in life and death situations and trust me, lack of written porn ain't one.

 

[jdnunyer]

I've been in life and death situations and trust me, lack of written porn ain't one.

Well said.

 

[robertreams]

I have had a horrific case of writer's block, doing only one submission in a year, because I just can't seem to get the juices flowing. Any suggestions on how to deal with it?

Two things:

1. analyze your reluctance. Are you afraid of rejection? afraid of success? etc.

2. Hell it is hard work anyway. Sit down every day. go to work, just as you would if it wee your job. Why shouldn't you drive yourself as hard as a boss would?. WRITE WRITE WRITE, don't edit, just write!

 

[sweepthefloor]

It's like the writing never stops in my head but when I try to write something it doesn't type out. I used to write the best under some kind of stress but lately I just don't feel like it. I am ok with that because I don't write for a paycheck.

When I want to write but can't find the story I go bobbing for memory apples in the spit germ barrel.

 

[horrorotica]

Maybe you need to approach your writing from a different angle. If you're a pantser then maybe learn how to plan your stories and scenes first rather than just sit in front of the PC waiting for inspiration to hit you. If you're a total planner then maybe you need to allow yourself to be more creative. The problem also may be something else in your life that you need to change. In the end only you can discover why you have writers block as the reasons can be complex and as I don't know you or you're circumstances I can't be anymore specific than that.

 

[driphoney]

Who do I deal with it?

I haven’t.

 

[HeyAll]

If I'm stuck on a particular story, then I start writing another story.

Keep the creativity flowing, eventually it'll flow to the story where you're blocked.

 

[SamScribble]

One of my former editors used to reckon that trying to think your way out of your writing block is usually a waste of time. Better by far to write your way out of your thinking block.

 

[sr71plt]

It's all a waste of time and beating yourself up unless you are on a contracted writing deadline. You don't have to write any more than you have to perform heart transplants. It's likely that it's your system telling you it doesn't want to do that now--and maybe never. And I don't think there are many who can produce wonderful prose on demand when their muse doesn't feel like it.

I don't have much sympathy for people who think they just gotta write when their muse isn't agreeing. It isn't like we have a shortage of writers in this world.

When your muse has just gotta write, you'll know it and be able to do it.

 

[Darkniciad]

Kick myself, cuss and fume, write and delete garbage that makes me want to stab myself in both eyes with a #2 pencil...

Then finally do the sensible thing and walk away until something grabs me and demands to be written.

 

[robertreams]

here here

 

[sr71plt]

Or maybe there, there. Or even the proper Hear! Hear! (it's in Webster's.)

 

[slyc_willie]

Pour yourself a large glass of decent red wine and just start writing. It works for me.

Salud.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Become a housewife. I have to bite the inside of my cheeks sometimes (not those ones! sheesh! what am I? a contortion artist!), because I have so many ideas for stories in my head and I have to make sandwiches and clean things. I think the two go together. When I get a moment in which to write, I really use it because otherwise I will have to clean the oven.

(I don't bother with cleaning the oven, LOL. I figure anything that didn't get burnt off has earned its right to live there. Hey ... I could write a cool story about a contortion artist, a thing that lives in an oven and ...)

Seriously, my partner used to start writing a paper like this:
First day - read papers and grouch about bitching about life.
Second day - read papers, bitch about life and glare at PC.
Third day - make a plan which he threw in the bin.
Fourth day - write something which he bitched about.

Nowadays he just doesn't have that time. He puts his head down and writes on Day 1.

As my colleague used to say: Don't get it right, get it written.

 

[damppanties]

Seriously, my partner used to start writing a paper like this:
First day - read papers and grouch about bitching about life.
Second day - read papers, bitch about life and glare at PC.
Third day - make a plan which he threw in the bin.
Fourth day - write something which he bitched about.

That's eerily similar to how I write papers, except, mine always tend to have more bitching and the writing is squeezed to the absolute last moment. I once finished writing a paper 5 minutes before the deadline and submitted with only a once over for an edit.

 

[NaokoSmith]

That's eerily similar to how I write papers, except, mine always tend to have more bitching and the writing is squeezed to the absolute last moment. I once finished writing a paper 5 minutes before the deadline and submitted with only a once over for an edit.

LOL, if you have a kitten, er I mean kid, then the first moment is the last moment you can get it done so you immediately put your head down and get on with it. And the kid does the bitching and moaning for you so there's another few seconds saved.

 

[damppanties]

LOL, if you have a kitten, er I mean kid, then the first moment is the last moment you can get it done so you immediately put your head down and get on with it. And the kid does the bitching and moaning for you so there's another few seconds saved.

Probably why I don't have a kitt... er... kid.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Probably why I don't have a kitt... er... kid.

Oh you soon get used to working with a constant drone going in your ears and occasional screams of "Mom! Mom! I am stuck, I can't get out! Please puhlease come and help me! PLEASE PLEASE! Aaaaaah!"

Naturally you leave it as long as you can if they are stuck, as this means they are out of the way for two minutes and you can cruise smut, er, I mean very fine writing by those whose cleavage, I mean grammar! you deeply admire.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

It's all a waste of time and beating yourself up unless you are on a contracted writing deadline. You don't have to write any more than you have to perform heart transplants. It's likely that it's your system telling you it doesn't want to do that now--and maybe never. And I don't think there are many who can produce wonderful prose on demand when their muse doesn't feel like it.

I don't have much sympathy for people who think they just gotta write when their muse isn't agreeing. It isn't like we have a shortage of writers in this world.

When your muse has just gotta write, you'll know it and be able to do it.

Very true.