I F***king Hate Writer's Block!

[FallingToFly]

I had the most surreal conversation ever with my mother today. Apparently, she finally gave in to temptation and read some on my Literotica submissions... and then proceeded to say "How on earth do you come up with such creative sex?" Okay, if you've read my stuff- it is tame. Boring even. How the fuck is that creative?

So then we started talking books. My mother writes (as in, has a dozen completed novels and needs to start looking for an agent already) as do I- completely opposite genres. She asked what I was working on, I told her, vice versa. She loves my Crow story concept (although she hated the movie and the graphic novels when I owned them, go figure) and is intrigued by Wicked Ways.

Here's the pain in my ass- I have six stories outlined from start to finish, but if I go to work on ANY of them... I stall. Can't write a bleeding sodding word.
WTF???

Please, someone, anyone- kick me. Throw something at me that can get me thinking and writing again. Because this is giving me a migraine.

 

[Antfarmer77]

Wow...that's rough. I've read a bunch of stuff about how to beat writers block but I don't know if any of it works. My biggest problem is getting started, I always have trouble creating a beggining I like. But you'll get through it *tassles your hair*
Kudos to your mom though! All those books is pretty impressive. I would have to write a Pulitzer Prize winning series of books just to pay for my pyschiatrist sessions if I had to talk sex with my mom LOL

 

[neonlyte]

My advice, for what it is worth, is to write out a simple scene. One you can visualise - doesn't need to be at the beginning, or the end, any scene will do. It sounds like what is stopping you is starting, if that makes sense, so start anywhere. If you stall, go to the next outline, write a simple scene.

If you start, don't set targets, don't aim for completing a chapter a week or any of that nonsense, it'll only serve to increase the pressure. If the story wants to be written, it ought to begin to flow. You can't pressure these things. Writing a simple scene might get the story flowing around the scene and lead you forward.

Good luck.

 

[Aurora Black]

Here's the pain in my ass- I have six stories outlined from start to finish, but if I go to work on ANY of them... I stall. Can't write a bleeding sodding word.

I know about this. It sucks hard and long.

Is it possible that you may be overthinking your plots beforehand? I sometimes plan out a story to death and I wind up staring at the screen (or cruising the forum) because my creativity is stifled when the majority of the story's details have already been taken care of on paper. There's no room for my instincts to kick in for me to write something on the fly, and as a result... *staring off into space*

I agree with Neo that you can't rush yourself to write if you're constantly thinking "I have to" and putting all that pressure on. Relax, listen to some music for a while and then come back when your soul cries out to be heard once again. As far as I'm concerned, there's no other way.

 

[672]

As your kittay, I completely disagree with Neo, but I agree with Aurora and the Ant.

For one, I think you are overthinking your story, but I also think you aren't allowing yourself to brainstorm in drafts. Just because you write something down, doesn't mean it's written in stone. You can destroy and rebuild anything you write, but you have to get something down on paper first. Even if it is crap. You know why? Your first draft of anything is going to sound like crap.

My own creative writing teacher just published his first book. He told the class he wrote three different, fully different drafts of his story, before it finally sounded 'right'. You'll never know what sounds right, until something makes a sound.

I disagree with Neo, because sometimes the only way to get anything down on paper, is to set deadlines for yourself. Let's face it, lady, when you get professional, you will have to follow deadlines. Get yourself used to them. Everyday make a set number of pages you -want- to write. Even if you don't reach them, you know you wrote -something-.

I think the best things written, weren't planned. Isn't it wonderful, you know? When you don't know what comes next? A mini-soap opera thrill?

Deadlines. Set them. Set page deadlines. Set word count deadlines. Tell everyone about the story you're writing, so you don't feel funny whenever they continue to ask about it, and you haven't written anything yet. You can't continue to update others about the work you haven't done. Doing it becomes a relief, and a brainstorm, and gives you the material you need to actually start making your masterpiece. It's there, it just doesn't know how to come out.

And you know me. I'll constantly be asking. But my point is, if you plan to have it done, the first draft, within 8 months, at least, then you'll have something to either go over, or scrap, but you'll know where to start from next. This is just advice I got from a published novelist. The industry, after all of your editing, takes care of further editing that you missed.

Anywho. I was saying something...forward motion...lost...in playful IMing...umm...

Oh yes! Get used to deadlines. Tell people about your progress, so it gets outside of you. Look up other popular or famous writer's methods of writing. (My teacher made us read interviews on writers and many other artists of different genres, and many do make writing a 9-5 job. It goes beyond a hobby, when you're looking to publish, I think.) Lots of them write between a very set time, and since you are looking to get published, you should, too. Pick a number of hours set aside just for writing. Writing anything. Not complete and utter crappy anything, but let your first draft be your brainstorm. If you don't see it as, "This is it. That's all I wrote.", it's typically much easier to write what you feel down.

And of course, anyone will tell you the best way to get rid of writer's block it to, well...just write. My philosophy teacher told me, you can pre-think all the ideas for you paper you like, but truly, you can't organize your ideas until you are in the process of writing it down. The essay (or story) itself is apart of the process.

I think you get my blatant redundancy on this, so I'll stop. And I fully expect to hear all of these outlined stories in full. And I will ask you every time we talk, "So, how's the story coming? What have you written recently?"

And I will make you feel bad for not staying on your game. I want you to get published, too, you know. Lack of deadlines makes anything that much easier to put off, lady.

~snug~

 

[672]

Woah. I'm experienced. Cool.

 

[AchtungNight]

I agree with everything said here, especially what 672 wrote. I will add the following:

- Research your subjects. Look for what you can use on them. If a detail seems right, don't be afraid to use it. Who knows, you may find the thread which you've sought.

- Don't let stupid problems that are really not relevant to your stories get you down. I speak here of things like trolls and categorization.

- You actually got your mother to read and enjoy your stories? Congrats on that! I myself have often dreaded the same thing ever happening. At the same time, if she ever found out, I'd have to admit it. So therefore...

- The best thing you can do is discuss whatever aspects of your writing are bothering you most with someone who knows nothing about them and cares even less. My original draft of "The Rendezvous" had way too much Scientology satire. I was bothered by it, and so were my betas, but none of us were sure how to resolve the problem. Then I discussed the issue with someone who didn't even know what a Scientologist was, and I was reminded, hey, this issue ain't that important. Why is it even in there? I went back to the story and found myself very able to tone it down. A better tale with clearer themes and characters resulted. Just a suggestion based on personal experience. You will of course have to be very careful doing such a thing. It's never wise to give too much of what you're doing away.

- There may be some articles on this in the "How-To" section.

 

[672]

I agree with everything said here, especially what 672 wrote. I will add the following:

- Research your subjects. Look for what you can use on them. If a detail seems right, don't be afraid to use it. Who knows, you may find the thread which you've sought.

- Don't let stupid problems that are really not relevant to your stories get you down. I speak here of things like trolls and categorization.

- You actually got your mother to read and enjoy your stories? Congrats on that! I myself have often dreaded the same thing ever happening. At the same time, if she ever found out, I'd have to admit it. So therefore...

- The best thing you can do is discuss whatever aspects of your writing are bothering you most with someone who knows nothing about them and cares even less. My original draft of "The Rendezvous" had way too much Scientology satire. I was bothered by it, and so were my betas, but none of us were sure how to resolve the problem. Then I discussed the issue with someone who didn't even know what a Scientologist was, and I was reminded, hey, this issue ain't that important. Why is it even in there? I went back to the story and found myself very able to tone it down. A better tale with clearer themes and characters resulted. Just a suggestion based on personal experience. You will of course have to be very careful doing such a thing. It's never wise to give too much of what you're doing away.

- There may be some articles on this in the "How-To" section.

Oh. I can use some of this for myself. You are much wise, sir, even if your name reminds me of sneezing.

~heart~






Personally, I think making fun of scientology owns all.

 

[FallingToFly]

Hmmm..

I don't know... it's like, when I was talking with my mom, it was all there, easy as pie. When I'm thinking about writing a particular scene, it's all there, just bubbling over-

And then I sit down at the pC or with a notebook... and nothing. Not a drop, not a dribble, not even a dry shot. Can't write one damn word.

Vaguely related to this- last night I had a dream where I was at a Litogether, and Abstruse (which is REALLY weird) was screaming at me for the way I had mangled the French in the latest chapter of Falling.

There is no French in that chapter, but I was cowering back into my chair and afraid to tell her that. She had a big bowl of green jello salad. The rest of you people were agreeing with her, and a couple were offering me French lessons. Twas very surreal, especially when Rora broke out the nipple clamps and car battery. I made myself wake up then.

 

[672]

I can't even begin to imagine why you are not only NOT online, but not directly ADDRESSING ME in your post.

As you sit, selfishly, offline. Did you think I would not notice?

I am hurt. An hour of thinking about what to say to you, woman. And that's the resolve I get? That's the cadence?

I won't stand for this. I won't sit for this, neither.

I require your attention, fleetingly, for about five seconds. Or else you shall bear my wrath. I have wrath.

I have wrath? When did that shipment come in.

Yesterday.

Really?

Yah.

Cool. How much of it is there?

You know it's funny. They sent me this really cool thimble.

Sweet.

=\

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Hmmm..

I don't know... it's like, when I was talking with my mom, it was all there, easy as pie. When I'm thinking about writing a particular scene, it's all there, just bubbling over-

And then I sit down at the pC or with a notebook... and nothing. Not a drop, not a dribble, not even a dry shot. Can't write one damn word.

Vaguely related to this- last night I had a dream where I was at a Litogether, and Abstruse (which is REALLY weird) was screaming at me for the way I had mangled the French in the latest chapter of Falling.

There is no French in that chapter, but I was cowering back into my chair and afraid to tell her that. She had a big bowl of green jello salad. The rest of you people were agreeing with her, and a couple were offering me French lessons. Twas very surreal, especially when Rora broke out the nipple clamps and car battery. I made myself wake up then.

*putting on psychologist hat*

did it occur to you that perhaps it was the talk with your mother that shook you somehow?

especially considering this dream... fear of failure... someone else's expectations of you... and what you said about your mother's sudden approval of "The Crow" stuff after her disapproval earlier...

your psyche is shutting down, sounds like, to protect you from the pain of disappointment...

while all of the above are great suggestions for your average writer's block... my suggestion will be just for you in this particular instance...

write... a letter to your mother. doesn't matter what comes out (and stuff will...) just write it... then burn it.

then see if you can get back to some fiction writing...

*taking off psychologist hat*

 

[neonlyte]

*putting on psychologist hat*

did it occur to you that perhaps it was the talk with your mother that shook you somehow?

especially considering this dream... fear of failure... someone else's expectations of you... and what you said about your mother's sudden approval of "The Crow" stuff after her disapproval earlier...

your psyche is shutting down, sounds like, to protect you from the pain of disappointment...

while all of the above are great suggestions for your average writer's block... my suggestion will be just for you in this particular instance...

write... a letter to your mother. doesn't matter what comes out (and stuff will...) just write it... then burn it.

then see if you can get back to some fiction writing...

*taking off psychologist hat*

'Mother' was my first thought, the dream, as Selena says, boosts the connection.
Good advice from the 'house analyst' me thinks

 

[Aurora Black]

There is no French in that chapter, but I was cowering back into my chair and afraid to tell her that. She had a big bowl of green jello salad. The rest of you people were agreeing with her, and a couple were offering me French lessons. Twas very surreal, especially when Rora broke out the nipple clamps and car battery. I made myself wake up then.

LMAO!

 

[FallingToFly]

Hmmm... maybe. Although I was writer blocked before I talked with the maternal unit. I think the most surreal part of the conversation was my mother asking me how I managed to write sex. Here, let me give you the convo:

Mom: How do you write sex like that? Everyone tells me I need to add more sex into my stories, but I just don't know how to do it.

FtF: Uhm- you just write it the way you would do it in real life?

Mom: Really? But, how do you write all that exotic and creative sex?

FtF: *panicking* Exotic and creative? What?

Mom: Well, like oral sex...

FtF: (the devil made me do it I swear) Mom, haven't you ever performed oral sex on a man in your life?

Mom: That is hardly an appropriate question to ask your mother! (which means yes, but I thnk it's a filthy habit)

FtF: Well, it's no big deal Mom, write your stories how you want to write them, and let everyone else go hang.

Mom: *very quiet for a while* Well, I read one of your stories, Killing Loneliness?

FtF: *attempting to quietly drown self in the pool* Oh, really?

Mom: Do gay men really do it that way?

FtF: *strangling on tongue, because if I say yes, she wants to know how I know, and if I say some noncommittal she'll never shut up* Uh, yeah, yeah they do.

Mom: Well, how do you know?

FtF: Uhm.. reading gay romance novels! *inspired*

Mom: Oh...

FtF: *sigh of relief*

Mom: But wait a second.. how did you come up with how it would feel for the man?

FtF: Oh, look, there's a wasp drowning in the water! I'd better go rescue it! *splash*

I'm still slightly twitchy from that. No, the stories are still there.. I just can't seem to write them down.

 

[Sex and Death]

Hmmm..

I don't know... it's like, when I was talking with my mom, it was all there, easy as pie. When I'm thinking about writing a particular scene, it's all there, just bubbling over-

And then I sit down at the pC or with a notebook... and nothing. Not a drop, not a dribble, not even a dry shot. Can't write one damn word.

Vaguely related to this- last night I had a dream where I was at a Litogether, and Abstruse (which is REALLY weird) was screaming at me for the way I had mangled the French in the latest chapter of Falling.

There is no French in that chapter, but I was cowering back into my chair and afraid to tell her that. She had a big bowl of green jello salad. The rest of you people were agreeing with her, and a couple were offering me French lessons. Twas very surreal, especially when Rora broke out the nipple clamps and car battery. I made myself wake up then.

Your dream says a lot, and if you're relaitng it to your writer's block, then that says that you feel there's a connection.

If you want your writer's block to end, you may want to consider not sharing your writing with your mother. You're giving her all your creative energy and allowing her to be in control of it. Think about...of course she's not going to want to let your creative energy go...your probably the most potent, creative and interesting man in her life. Your mopther's not going to let that go, and no one else is going to draw that boundary and line between you and her, you're going to havr to do it yourslef, and she's going to be hurt and angry if you do it. There is no magical quick fix, but I'm certain you can rise to the ocassion.

Writer's block can be a lot like impotency, and impotency can occur because you're feeling manipulated, controlled and smothered, and are seeking approval instead of deciding on your own direction as a writer and following it. I would listen closely to SK on this, too, but your dream suggests that seeking approval form women costs you a lot in your life...possibly it costs you waht you really really want for yourslef (and maybe you'r enot exactly certian what that is...or maybe you know it but feel you don't have what it takes to really pursue it fully...I dunno).

This situation can be embarrassing for men, but if you're willing to face that embarrassment and push past your comfort zone and into your resistence, the outcome will be worth it.

You have an interesting opportunity to write some mother-son incest stories, if you haven't done so already, to help begin letting go of your mother's control and manipulation and taking full ownership of your own balls.

If this hits home for you, or you have any more questions about it, I'll check back here, or feel free to PM me if you'd like.

S&D

 

[FallingToFly]

I can't even begin to imagine why you are not only NOT online, but not directly ADDRESSING ME in your post.

As you sit, selfishly, offline. Did you think I would not notice?

I am hurt. An hour of thinking about what to say to you, woman. And that's the resolve I get? That's the cadence?

I won't stand for this. I won't sit for this, neither.

I require your attention, fleetingly, for about five seconds. Or else you shall bear my wrath. I have wrath.

I have wrath? When did that shipment come in.

Yesterday.

Really?

Yah.

Cool. How much of it is there?

You know it's funny. They sent me this really cool thimble.

Sweet.

=\

Don't make me beat you with a feather pillow. -.- I'm not awake yet.

 

[FallingToFly]

Your dream says a lot, and if you're relaitng it to your writer's block, then that says that you feel there's a connection.

If you want your writer's block to end, you may want to consider not sharing your writing with your mother. You're giving her all your creative energy and allowing her to be in control of it. Think about...of course she's not going to want to let your creative energy go...your probably the most potent, creative and interesting man in her life. Your mopther's not going to let that go, and no one else is going to draw that boundary and line between you and her, you're going to havr to do it yourslef, and she's going to be hurt and angry if you do it. There is no magical quick fix, but I'm certain you can rise to the ocassion.

Writer's block can be a lot like impotency, and impotency can occur because you're feeling manipulated, controlled and smothered, and are seeking approval instead of deciding on your own direction as a writer and following it. I would listen closely to SK on this, too, but your dream suggests that seeking approval form women costs you a lot in your life...possibly it costs you waht you really really want for yourslef (and maybe you'r enot exactly certian what that is...or maybe you know it but feel you don't have what it takes to really pursue it fully...I dunno).

This situation can be embarrassing for men, but if you're willing to face that embarrassment and push past your comfort zone and into your resistence, the outcome will be worth it.

You have an interesting opportunity to write some mother-son incest stories, if you haven't done so already, to help begin letting go of your mother's control and manipulation and taking full ownership of your own balls.

If this hits home for you, or you have any more questions about it, I'll check back here, or feel free to PM me if you'd like.

S&D

All of that is really great advice.

But neither am I male- nor particular of the caring what others, of either sex, think of me.

But thanks for the thoughtful advice. I think I may print it out and give it to my brother.

 

[Guest]

 

[Sex and Death]

All of that is really great advice.

But neither am I male- nor particular of the caring what others, of either sex, think of me.

But thanks for the thoughtful advice. I think I may print it out and give it to my brother.

LOL...good thing I like egg!

Don't know who has the case of gender confusion...me or you!

Your dream does still suggests a controlling critical mother and the need for you to separate your identity from hers...it's the same destination for males and females, but the path is different.

Hope it's helpful to your brother.

S&D

 

[672]

Your dream says a lot, and if you're relaitng it to your writer's block, then that says that you feel there's a connection.

If you want your writer's block to end, you may want to consider not sharing your writing with your mother. You're giving her all your creative energy and allowing her to be in control of it. Think about...of course she's not going to want to let your creative energy go...your probably the most potent, creative and interesting man in her life. Your mopther's not going to let that go, and no one else is going to draw that boundary and line between you and her, you're going to havr to do it yourslef, and she's going to be hurt and angry if you do it. There is no magical quick fix, but I'm certain you can rise to the ocassion.

Writer's block can be a lot like impotency, and impotency can occur because you're feeling manipulated, controlled and smothered, and are seeking approval instead of deciding on your own direction as a writer and following it. I would listen closely to SK on this, too, but your dream suggests that seeking approval form women costs you a lot in your life...possibly it costs you waht you really really want for yourslef (and maybe you'r enot exactly certian what that is...or maybe you know it but feel you don't have what it takes to really pursue it fully...I dunno).

This situation can be embarrassing for men, but if you're willing to face that embarrassment and push past your comfort zone and into your resistence, the outcome will be worth it.

You have an interesting opportunity to write some mother-son incest stories, if you haven't done so already, to help begin letting go of your mother's control and manipulation and taking full ownership of your own balls.

If this hits home for you, or you have any more questions about it, I'll check back here, or feel free to PM me if you'd like.

S&D

Dude. She's not a dude. I can vouch for her. I can vouch. I used to chew on her panties.

No, not in that way.

Maybe.

 

[FallingToFly]

Dude. She's not a dude. I can vouch for her. I can vouch. I used to chew on her panties.

No, not in that way.

Maybe.

I love you kittay... why the hell are we dicussing my panties again? Juken will get jealous.

S&D: No worries... I'm constantly being accused of being male.

 

[Sex and Death]

Dude. She's not a dude. I can vouch for her. I can vouch. I used to chew on her panties.

No, not in that way.

Maybe.

LOL...I will take her word for it...guess I should have asked.

 

[672]

I love you kittay... why the hell are we dicussing my panties again? Juken will get jealous.

S&D: No worries... I'm constantly being accused of being male.

He can get jealous. I'm still the one who got the honour to chew countless times on your panties until my heart exploded. And therefore, when referring to your sweet Juken - ~presses the I Win button~

 

[Sex and Death]

I love you kittay... why the hell are we dicussing my panties again? Juken will get jealous.

S&D: No worries... I'm constantly being accused of being male.

Now, now...some of us males wouldn't exactly see being called a male to be an "accusation."

 

[FallingToFly]

Now, now...some of us males wouldn't exactly see being called a male to be an "accusation."

LOL, true true... if I was male I would have no issue.. but I try to make it obvious that I'm female. I think it's the lack of boobies in my Avatar that throws people off.