Getting back into writing

[ravenmx]

This is more of a how to question but seems to fit better here. I have two stories posted here, both written a few years ago. Both were well received and both carry high votes. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and under went chemo and radiation. While on chemo I got "chemo brain" (yes there is such a thing) and now I find that I have a hard time writing. I find I struggle with words to come up with and finishing stories. Some of that is RL but I have started stories for the last two contests and both sit three quarters of the way done. I think I get frustrated with the process when I am having trouble trying to find words and spending time on the internet looking for words "like" something.

So the question is how to get back into writing when the words do not seem to flow from the brain as they used to? I am getting better at remember things, my job requires that, but I also have many people that know of my issue and provide words for me when I struggle. It is like the word is there on the tip of my tongue but my brain just has not quite provided it yet. I suppose I could start out writing very simple however I am not sure I would be happy with that, I was never one for slot A goes into slot B.

Any ideas would be welcome.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

Sorry to hear of your ordeal with breast cancer and chemotherapy. But, I'm very happy you're getting back into writing again.

As to the question of how to get back into the process, I would suggest reading as much good material as you can get your hands on. I have always found that reading great writers stimulates me and also helps me to find patterns and ideas that inspire me. I also recommend writing freestyle for a time until you get comfortable with your words again. Sometimes the pressure of a strict format stifles creativity.

Good luck.

 

[TxRad]

First off, welcome to the madhouse.

If you write in MS Word and get stuck, pick the word that does come to mind, right click on it and check the thesaurus. That is about the only suggestion I have other than to just write and let the brain mend and relearn the right words.

 

[The_Fool]

Sorry to hear of your ordeal with breast cancer and chemotherapy. But, I'm very happy you're getting back into writing again.

As to the question of how to get back into the process, I would suggest reading as much good material as you can get your hands on. I have always found that reading great writers stimulates me and also helps me to find patterns and ideas that inspire me. I also recommend writing freestyle for a time until you get comfortable with your words again. Sometimes the pressure of a strict format stifles creativity.

Good luck.

To add to that, stop sometimes while you are reading and think of how you would have written it different.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

To add to that, stop sometimes while you are reading and think of how you would have written it different.

Excellent idea.

 

[_Lynn_]

Searching for that elusive word is frustrating. After a stroke, my mom had to learn how to talk again. She struggled to remember the simplest things, agitating her to no end. Living with my family and I before she returned home, we scrambled for ways to help her.

Though the ideas here aren't for writing, they might re-train your brain a bit. If nothing else, they might give you another idea for a way that will help in your specific case.

 

[ravenmx]

First off, welcome to the madhouse.

If you write in MS Word and get stuck, pick the word that does come to mind, right click on it and check the thesaurus. That is about the only suggestion I have other than to just write and let the brain mend and relearn the right words.

Thanks for the welcome. I didn't think about the thesaurus, I will have to check that out.

 

[ravenmx]

Sorry to hear of your ordeal with breast cancer and chemotherapy. But, I'm very happy you're getting back into writing again.

As to the question of how to get back into the process, I would suggest reading as much good material as you can get your hands on. I have always found that reading great writers stimulates me and also helps me to find patterns and ideas that inspire me. I also recommend writing freestyle for a time until you get comfortable with your words again. Sometimes the pressure of a strict format stifles creativity.

Good luck.

I have been reading for a bit now. It does seem to be helping, especially with my attention span, so that has been nice. I think I will try the freestyle for a bit, just random writing with no place to go. That is a great idea. Thanks much

 

[ravenmx]

Searching for that elusive word is frustrating. After a stroke, my mom had to learn how to talk again. She struggled to remember the simplest things, agitating her to no end. Living with my family and I before she returned home, we scrambled for ways to help her.

Though the ideas here aren't for writing, they might re-train your brain a bit. If nothing else, they might give you another idea for a way that will help in your specific case.

Thanks for the link, some great ideas. My grandmother had a stroke a few years a ago and she to got very frustrated as well. She had a hard time getting out what she wanted to say and I would always have to tell her to slow down and explain. Most of the time she would get so frustrated she would just end the conversation. Me, I get embarrassed. Especially when it is a simple word and there are people around. I find I am at my worst the more tired I am.

 

[DeeZire]

I feel your pain (as Bill Clinton would say.) I have a similar problem, but it's age-related. Perhaps you could just put in a dummy word, highlight it in red, and keep writing. We do that in songwriting all the time. The important thing is to keep the flow going. You can always fix things during the second draft.

 

[sadangel]

*writing thread bump*