Breaking the Barrier

[entitled]

It's been some time since putting one of my twisted little stories on the site (see first link in signature) and it's time to get around to writing another. However, there is a problem.

i've forgotten how to write.

Yes, yes, it's as simple as putting words on paper, but the smoothness and transitions aren't there. The flow is gone. Descriptive words seem to fail miserably. It feels like a third grade report all over again, and doing those the first time was bad enough.

What do you do to get past that mental block and get things rolling again?

 

[English Lady]

oooh it's not easy sometimes!

Ideas I've seen suggested :

*just write, force it, write it - throw it away or edit later!

*listen to music as that often inspires emotion and might trigger off the writing stuff.

*try writing by doing a writing excercise,hey I'll even start one just for you if you like *L* joining in with others and or having a deadline might help.



Hope something there makes sense

 

[patricia51]

One of the ways I try to overcome a dry spell is to pull up one of my other incomplete stories (I have some 20 odd ones in my "In Progress" file) and see if I can get anything jump started by working on a completely different subject.

I also often write in a non-linear fashion. That is, I might bounce all over a story, skipping to the middle or even the end and writing a scene that occurs to me. Sometimes it ends up not fitting and goes to what I call my Nibblets file, bits and pieces of ideas and scenes, but it gets me writing.

And sometimes I just don't get anywhere and I go off and play my usual rotten game of golf.

 

[impressive]

I also often write in a non-linear fashion.

I wish I could do this!

 

[Goldeniangel]

you could always just try free flow writing, sitting down and writing anything that comes to your head, no matter what it is. sometimes it just gets the juices going and you'll end up getting out like, frustrations nad stuff like that that you didn't even realize was effecting your writing before, and then suddenly it's like *poof* everything's back! at least, that's the way it is for me sometimes =D

*HUGS*
angel

 

[scheherazade_79]

Try creating a whole new world. Start off with setting, then imagine what kind of characters would live there and draw up character profiles, stating what their dreams are, their fears are, their worst habits, their way of dressing, way of speaking etc. etc.

Once you've finished your planning - and it can be as detailed or as undetailed as you want, choose one of the characters and start writing. It's always good to put them in an awkward position - builds up the tension nicely and gives you the chance to find out even more about them.

The freshness of it all will boost your interest and make you want to keep writing as soon as the first word is down.

Good luck!