My strange case of writers block.

[Beatnic_jazzman]

Obviously there's a bigger back story but I currently find myself with the desire to write, a clear story line, and plenty of time. My problem is my imagination has had its wings clipped. Its flights of fantasy are now limited by the new physical reality of my worsening health problems. If I can't 'see' myself being 'capable' of doing, then I can't readily recreate a believable 'scene' in my head.

It's funny position to be in, I can see the broad picture going forward but I struggle to get the 'right' details down when portraying it. As it's a kinda 'all in the head' problem there's probably little advice that can be offered that I haven't already considered, not that that should inhibit you.

I'm still writing, it's just now I'm getting fifty to a hundred words per session instead of the eight hundred to a thousand previously. It's a lot more like hard work than the fun it used to be, but the more worrying thing is the limit it's putting on my output. It’s funny how a change of perspective on life changes how you can express yourself.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

When we really wanna do something we find ways to do it. Its that simple.

And I don't limit the desire to the part of me who pays the bills and mows the grass. I know I should, say, go the MD when I'm sick, and that other part of me hates the medical industry so I remain home and tough it out. I don't fight it.

So do something that's possible right now.

 

[sr71plt]

The only ones who "have to write" are the ones depending on a paycheck to do so. If the urge isn't there, go do something else until the urge reappears. Unless, of course, your paycheck depends on writing.

 

[lovecraft68]

. If I can't 'see' myself being 'capable' of doing, then I can't readily recreate a believable 'scene' in my head.

You're correct-and I think you know you are-that this is in your head.

The part I highlighted stuck out to me. You are physically hindered and unable to perform the feats you are trying to write about.

Now for me I would see that as frustration getting into your creativity. You don't want to write about what you can no longer do, its not can't, its rather not because your inability to perform these acts is being driven home by trying to write them "salt in the wounds"

So you need to be able to see your stories as what they are: Fantasy. I will never have sex with my mother(Nor would I really want to) but I write about people having sex with their mothers. I distance myself and become the character, the character is not me.

You have to get so your characters are not you, relax, live vicariously through them at that point. If you have health issues then your creativity is a great outlet many don't have so look at it that way.

You read about guys like James Bond, you couldn't ever be him, but you immerse yourself in the fantasy so do that with your writing, don;t make it personal, make it fun.

 

[lovecraft68]

The only ones who "have to write" are the ones depending on a paycheck to do so. If the urge isn't there, go do something else until the urge reappears. Unless, of course, your paycheck depends on writing.

Their first line is they have the desire to write. The urge and everything else is there, they have another issue causing the block.

 

[sr71plt]

So what? I have the desire hang glide and to have dinner with Tina Fey (maybe simultaenously), but it ain't gonna happen.

In this context and venue, having the desire to write good erotica isn't suprising but it also doesn't mean much in attaining the goal.

 

[stlgoddessfreya]

Have you tried writing about something intentionally impossible with your own body? Like writing a story from the perspective of someone of the opposite gender or something with a heavy fantasy element? You may just need to prime the pump of imagination to get your flow back.

 

[lovecraft68]

So what? I have the desire hang glide and to have dinner with Tina Fey (maybe simultaenously), but it ain't gonna happen.

In this context and venue, having the desire to write good erotica isn't suprising but it also doesn't mean much in attaining the goal.

The problem is the person has physical issues that are affecting every aspect of their life and they are looking for advice or help with how to work around a handy cap

What they are not looking for is arrogant snark which is all you're ever good for.

Your problem with this is it involves someone going through a tough time and as always you have no concept, compassion or understanding for anyone but yourself.

And seeing you can't turn this thread into something about you, you just blow it off with one of your "I've led a soft life and have no understanding of the word struggle" replies.

Try obtaining the goal of being human for once.

Better yet just go take a nap old fool.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Gender equals sexual costume for no one ever changes their sex.

I mean, if you dress up in a horse suit youre not really a horse. Ditto a gorilla suit.

 

[sr71plt]

The problem is the person has physical issues that are affecting every aspect of their life and they are looking for advice or help with how to work around a handy cap

What they are not looking for is arrogant snark which is all you're ever good for.

Your problem with this is it involves someone going through a tough time and as always you have no concept, compassion or understanding for anyone but yourself.

And seeing you can't turn this thread into something about you, you just blow it off with one of your "I've led a soft life and have no understanding of the word struggle" replies.

Try obtaining the goal of being human for once.

Better yet just go take a nap old fool.

Oh, bullshit. You're the sick one here. Never being able to pass up an opportunity to attack me. Nor passing up an opportunity to promote yourself. You don't give a shit for the OP (or anyone but yourself). You just want to attack me.

This isn't a therapy institution and you aren't a licensed psychiatrist. My response to anyone saying they have a writing blockage is to go do something else until the urge to write is overwhelming. You don't have to write anything like you have to breathe.

I'm not going to pretend to be able to deal with any real psychological problems of a stranger giving just a hint of that problem on an Internet discussion board. And you aren' doing anyone any good by doing it either. The issue given was writer's block, and I gave what I think is the best advice for that--for writer's block.

 

[Swilly]

Maybe you need to find a way to accept your limitations before you can write. If you're still in that stage of trying to accept a new way of life, writing might be a painful exercise. (I'm assuming these are permanent things. If not, then I'm guessing you'll want your energies to go to battling the illness.)

Probably not what you want to hear, but maybe something to think about.

 

[sr71plt]

Which is the same advice as walking away from it and engaging in other activities until/unless the compulsion to write is there enough that there isn't a blockage.

Unless it's what brings in your paycheck, it isn't a "have to." And your whole life shouldn't be wrapped around having to do this one thing.

 

[Swilly]

Not really the same advice. Learning to accept limitations will carry over to many areas of life. Failure to address them will crop up everywhere. Writing is the least of it.

 

[sr71plt]

OK, it's not the unlicensed, not fully informed, armchair psychatrist aspect of the advice--just the specific writing advice on a writing board advice.

 

[RoyceConnors]

I'll weigh in on this, as I faced a similar decline in health while writing. As much as my physical health declined and presented challenges to me personally, I never let it affect where my head was at with writing. I divorced the two and never let the pain, or misery of my ailments affect what my mind wants to create for the story.

I know it's hard at first not to put yourself personally into it, but once you condition your mind that it has no physical limitations and can do anything at all, you can still write as a 'normal' person can. Work on that headspace for a while and your writing will go back to the way it used to be.

 

[RoyceConnors]

OK, it's not the unlicensed, not fully informed, armchair psychatrist aspect of the advice--just the specific writing advice on a writing board advice.

Let's be honest here, it's your advice and nothing else. He can take it or leave like everyone else can. Same as anything anyone else suggests.

 

[Swilly]

Unlicensed, uninformed psychiatry is the best kind. Lie down on the couch Pilot. Maybe we can figure out what's wrong with you. Beyond the obvious. Get to the root of your arrogance mixed with a persecution complex. Whaddaya say?

 

[Beatnic_jazzman]

Thanks for the bumps guys.

I've been unable to have sex for quite a while because of hormonal treatment, I can still 'imagine' having sex. The root of the problem is I can no longer dismiss my frailties when I create the protagonist in my mind. Prior to this development I was happily able to 'fantasise' being as young, fit etc, as the character demanded.

All three of my current compositions need a younger mindset/perspective and their own unique blend of knowledge and abilities when it comes to the what and why they do next. (Hows that for run on?)

I'm still writing, I'm just finding that I'm not as 'fluent' as I used to be. I'd like to finish my current stories but its no longer easy to 'create' them in my mind. It's getting to the point where I'm considering just jumping to writing stories featuring characters that fit the new mould.

In a nutshell, plod on or cross the bridge?

 

[sr71plt]

In a nutshell, plod on or cross the bridge?

That should be up to you and your own druthers. It does seem to be that you need to stretch your imagination more on separating your characters from yourself if you want satisfaction from the writing.

 

[Swilly]

Doesn't sound like you want to cross the bridge.

 

[Beatnic_jazzman]

No

I don't. I've got a fondness for the stories and the characters, but it's become difficult to visualise them.

 

[JKendallDane]

Prior to this development I was happily able to 'fantasise' being as young, fit etc, as the character demanded.

All three of my current compositions need a younger mindset/perspective and their own unique blend of knowledge and abilities when it comes to the what and why they do next. (Hows that for run on?)

I'm still writing, I'm just finding that I'm not as 'fluent' as I used to be. I'd like to finish my current stories but its no longer easy to 'create' them in my mind.

Always remember that the best sex (and by extension, best erotic writing) happens between the ears. You are allowing something you had no control over, to control something you *DO* have the ability to control. Even though your present situation may dictate you can't do something physically, your mind can tell that diagnosis to go to hell.

Perhaps putting aside the current projects and do one or two based on something from your own personal past will help you get beyond the blockage. Relive on paper (or computer screen) that couple of wonderfully fantastic romances or encounters from 20 or 30 or 40 years ago. Find your passion again by reminding yourself of the passion you have already experienced.

I feel for you as I too have been fighting writer's block for several months now thanks to health issues also. It sucks. But the one thing that I won't do...and you shouldn't either...is to let the body win when the mind is much stronger. Good luck!

 

[sr71plt]

I don't. I've got a fondness for the stories and the characters, but it's become difficult to visualise them.

Can you bring up the emotions you felt when you were fully functional? (If you can't do that or visualize, I'm not sure where the urgency comes from to be writing about it). Most of my erotica didn't start flowing until the actual activity was waning and I wanted to recapture the emotion of the experiences and the lifestyle that was changing.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I've been unable to have sex for quite a while because of hormonal treatment, I can still 'imagine' having sex. The root of the problem is I can no longer dismiss my frailties when I create the protagonist in my mind. Prior to this development I was happily able to 'fantasise' being as young, fit etc, as the character demanded.

If you can't get away from your own frailties, can you work with them?

I've had a similar problem this last year, dealing with a lot of gloom and death around me, and it's made it really hard to focus on the stories I was trying to tell. In the end I decided to write a story that involves some of those same themes; it seems to be coming along OK so far.

Some readers do prefer reading about young fit people who can go all night, but there are plenty who'll make time for something different.

 

[RoyceConnors]

I don't. I've got a fondness for the stories and the characters, but it's become difficult to visualise them.

I would suggest stop making them come from a part of you and write them as themselves. Their lives aren't and shouldn't be affected by your life. Live in that world of your story as you write and not in the physical world we live in.

That's your bridge to cross.