Muse, why have you abandoned me ??

[ezlay_2nite]

Hi everyone, I got exactly what I asked for Christmas. Among other things, three hours a day, for one week, to write. I’m at the end of day two and this is about the only thing I have done so far.
I think I’m blocked or distracted by finally having time to write. I sit and watch that darn curser blinking and all I can think about is “What are the kids doing”? It’s so quiet, way to quiet for our house.
I have broken out old outlines, I read them like some sober person reading a drunks rumblings. I’m not much of a drinker so I know it’s not that. It’s all junk I really can’t put on paper, or even want to add to.
Has anyone else been where I am? How can I snap out of it? Do I need the chaos of the house rocking and write like a mad person and edit later?
Please chime in with anything that may help. PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

If you care to look for a different fetish, to see if it will kickstart your muse, take a look at:

The Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices

Even if it doesn’t help you with a story idea, it will help you pass the time.!

 

[ezlay_2nite]

Could be just what the doctor ordered. Thanks Virtual

 

[logophile]

Have you tried free associating with yourself? Take one of the outlines you already have and pull a few key words from it. Type them in a blank document and then just ramble words out for a while. It will usually break my block when I'm clogged up like that. Good luck...

 

[ezlay_2nite]

I haven't logo, I'll try it. Thank you

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Don't try and write anything great. Just think of some hot scene--sex on the beach, a seduction, a BDSM scene, whatever turns you on--and write that.

Concentrate on telling the story. Leave all the fancy imagery and clever language behind. Find something that excites you and write about it and don't edit it or go back over it till it's done.

---Zoot

 

[ezlay_2nite]

Thanks Zoot, that's how I wrote my one and only one so far.

 

[Seattle Zack]

Lawrence Block wrote about one technique, which was leaving the story mid sentence for you to pick up when you started writing the next day.

As I rounded the corner, I saw a shadowy figure at the end of the hall. Ducking back into concealment, I reached into my pocket and ...

He said he never found it particularly effective. Having tried it, neither have I.

Personally, what I have found effective is starting a stream of consciousness babble, start writing about how you don't have anyting to write about, and how you have this character in mind, and you'd love it if a story idea evolved with him doing this, and then he ... and so on. Eventually, the writing mechanism takes over and you get a flow going. That's what works for me. Just write.