| Writers Block.........
Posted: 4/26/2005 7:45:37 AM | | I have been writing on and off for the last couple of years..i finally found a subject I wanted to cover but am having a mental block regarding detail... I like how the story line is shaping up but would appreciate any input on making my ideas flow a little better... having said that hopefully someone will wave their magic wand and make my mind and fingers work together... thanks all! | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 4/26/2005 8:54:14 AM | | thanks I will perhaps forward some through email ect...my main issue is thinking too fast for my fingers at this point! | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 4/27/2005 6:00:48 AM | | thanks you guys... i suppose i could just put some exerpts in here or would it be easier to email em to you? | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 4/30/2005 10:33:27 AM | What I do when I develope writers block...
I read a lot... on the topic I am writing about..
I jot down notes and opinions of mine on scrap.
I read over what I have written.. in my book and in my notes
and see what happens.. See if there is anything I can do to improve what I've already written and see if my opinion has changed in anyway since I did some reading..
I also go for a nice long hike.. I live in the boonies.. So it's easy for me to do so.
I hike up to an old abandoned ranch with picnic basket in hand and my diskman.
along with pen and paper... Never erase anything you wrote.. no matter how wrong the idea seems to you.. it can be used for further inspiration.
Mistakes in notes are a necessity... well at least for me.
Most importantly... don't think.. relax.. it'll come to you when you are ready.
Just my thoughts anyway. | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 5/3/2005 12:47:38 AM | | What about when you don't even know where to start anymore? Idea block? | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 5/3/2005 5:07:29 PM | | I like my general ideas it seems however that i am lacking in the details department... i write what i want and then usually leave it for awhile and go back sometimes this works and i find things i can get more descriptive with ... i suppose more practice will help in the long run. I will however try the going for a walk idea..nature seems to clear my head so this might give me some much needed inspiration. | |
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Cin4U
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Joined: 2/26/2005
Msg: 10 | |
| Writers Block.........
Posted: 5/3/2005 8:01:56 PM | THIS POST IS FOR ICAN4U HE IS HAVING ISSUES POSTING.......IM DOING IT FOR HIM
Inspiration is where you least exspect it...
Not in ideas, concepts,or theories... For some inspiration can be found in the smile of the person you love. The look of that special person, as they see you for the first time, today... The fragrance of her hair after washing and drying it... The formation of their mouth as they say hello to you... The melodious sounds of her talking to you about her day... The sight of her after a long day full of b.s.....
If you don't want to use the physical aspects of someone as inspiration, use the way they make you feel.
To hear her sorrow, is to know sorrow... To hear her joys, is to know joy for ones self... Yet, to hear her problems is to know the feeling of helplessness...
To know her is to love her... for she is all that is good and kind and right w/ the world... I could continue to sight the examples of inspiration, that she inspires in me.... I now know the feelings of someone who is on the quest for knowledge and finds out that all he every needed to know was love and compassion... and that it was in allowing yourself to love others in a greater sense than you would love yourself... I find my inspiration in YOU(cin)...... | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 5/3/2005 8:05:41 PM | | Thanks but I don't have that in my life at this time, I am trying to find it elsewhere and in myself. Any suggestions? | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 5/3/2005 8:09:47 PM | experience life from a childs perspective ..... We all remember what it was like to be a child.... Use that as your guidefor experiencing life a new...
good luck w/ it.... | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 5/4/2005 4:54:33 PM | Look for someone you love... It doesn't have to be like a mate.. It can be A grandparent, or cousin that you grew up with.. Someone that is important in your life..
Prefurably an elder.. The can be very inspirational.. Spend time with them... Chatting reading.. or even just sitting silently.. Remember that our elders won't be around forever...
They are people that need love and attention too..
Before my last grandparent passed away I spent time with him as much as I could.
Not only did it make him feel good to have a visitor, but it really helped with my writers block.
And sometimes the little things they say through out the day give you the greatest ideas.. | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 6/19/2005 5:12:49 PM | There are many ways to defeat the dreaded writer's block. The ones that might work for you have a lot to do with who you are and how you work. Also, any block is only as bad as you make it; it's about perspective. The maxim 'for every problem there is a solution' applies very well in this case.
One thing I can say for sure is that once you've completed your first book, the block never will be more than a minor nuisance again, as you already know you have what it takes to see a project through to completion. That boost of confidence makes all the difference in the world, and the first book you complete always will be the most important one.
Another way around the block? Passion for your project. If you have that, and it stays with you, you'll also get past any impediments as the story will seem to force its way out of you. That's when you know it's going well.
It was mentioned in a previous post that you should go back through the material you've already completed and see if you can improve upon it. That also has the effect of keeping the story fresh in your mind; it keeps the wheels turning. Another thing you can do is go to a point in the story beyond where you are presently and work on a scene you might be thinking about- flesh it out as much as you want, then maybe build a bridge to it. Sometimes that helps the pieces fall into place. Even if you don't use the scene in that story, who's to say you won't use it in the future?
Although walking away and leaving the project for a short time can help, I'd say don't do that for too long, as the iron can get cold. Maybe get a voice recorder to have with you, as you never know when inspiration will strike...
Flexibility is important, too. Actually, it's vital, as far as I'm concerned. Just because you may have outlined the story, don't feel that you have to stick to that layout. Outlines can stifle creativity. In my first book I changed direction midstream and let the story take me where it wanted to go, and I'm very happy with how it turned out. I never work with an outline, anyway- only notes.
It's different for every writer, as there's no set formula as to how to write a book. You do what feels right for you, and what works. The more you experiment with all the different methods, the more likely you are to find the right formula for yourself. As much as outside factors might help in the short term, ultimately the inspiration has to come from within. If you have that, you will beat writer's block every time. | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 6/23/2005 6:29:00 PM | | Details are where i have the most fun. Well im not sure if im talkin about what you are... but anyway what i have found from classic writers is that this is where they leave clues to the depth of what they are expressing. Like whith names setting and so forth. They weave very intracate puzzles with... well im realy not sure anymore what you mean by detail but i hope i touched on it. | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 6/23/2005 11:48:50 PM | | what i usually do is imagine myself in each scenario, and think of how i would handle it. if you've already developed each character, place yourself in each character's shoes and do a mental role play. feel the character out, then write what you see | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 6/25/2005 8:43:42 AM | When I feel like I am at a loss for words...which isn't often *blush* I google...lol. Really...I go to www.google.com...put in various words or phrases...I always come up with something interesting.
The best way to get past "feeling" blocked is to simply write...brainstorm...put whatever comes to mind down...even if it is "Hmmn, I am bored and cannot figure out what to write about...this really sucks...I guess I could write about...."
see?
You just keep going..at least you are writing...other good ideas are to join a good writing group where they critique..it is so very helpful...a great one (if you can get in) is www.writecraftweb.com there are many others.
Or google writing contests...some are short (100 words or less) just to get your creative juices flowing.
Hope this helps somewhat....now this girl needs to get back to her article...deadline WEDS and editor cranky if I miss it *smirk*
SkY aka that girl who writes in Ohio | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 6/25/2005 5:09:51 PM | I used to write all sorts of stories, poems, lyrics...
but I have had writers block for ummmm... lets say
about 5 years now... can't seem to get my groove back.
It's quite frustrating.
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 7/1/2005 12:16:22 PM | I'm a professional in the publishing biz and I've developed a methodolgy that avoids writers block. In simplified fashion it involves writing like a sculptor. Start with a bunch of notes, turn them into an outline, and continue to add detail to the structure. The key is that you don't need to work in a linear fashion. If you get stuck at one point, go back to another section and work on improving that. Feel free to skip around. This allows you to keep working even if you feel "blocked" at one or more junctures, rather than stare into space and get frustrated. Before you know it, the whole piece will be completed.
Creativity blocks are another story. I'd recommend reading William Burrough's Naked Lunch for awhile to get loosened up, and then try to let your stream of consciousness flow without pre-editing your ideas. Then go back and pick out something interesting that came out of it to work wih and cultivate from there. | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 7/4/2005 10:54:43 AM | There are about as many ways to get over a writers block as there are writers,...unfortunately what helps one often doesn't do a thing for another,...so you kind of have to find your own way,....There is no magic pill you can take,...
I personally have 2 parts to my writing,..1) the creative 2) the edit
The creative I personally can not do other than pencil and paper whilst watching a movie,...
I know it sounds weird but often when I write,...actually my best writing comes when I don't pay attention to what I am writing,...I do have the story blocked out and the charaters etc. but mostly just a general idea of the chapter. Then while the movie is on I write very fast almost like automatic writing,....I liken it to someone (also like me) who knitts,..if you watch the knitting needles you make mistakes because the fingers can move faster than my eyes can keep up....This portion I can actually unblock with the right movie. When it works the words come so fast,..that some actually flow together or have to many ooooo's in to,....or a a word comes out backwards,....
and my spelling,.......forget about it.
On occasions this part has even creeped me out because later after reviewing what I have written,....It is not only new and unfamilliar to me,...but since I write mystery stories,...on occasion it has even scared the heck out of me,....
I don't know if there is a name for this but I have heard other writers say this has happened to them too.
The edit portion,...well that's the part I have more trouble with,...since I can't spell my way out of a paper bag sideways,....with this I would be happy for advice,...  | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 7/5/2005 5:35:24 PM | There are tons of online writing groups that can help put you in touch with other writers who can offer even more writer's block suggestions. Yahoogroups has a bunch and I belong to a writer's forum that's pretty active: http://fictionfactor.1.forumer.com/index.php?http://fictionfactor.1.forumer.com ( you have to scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the "register new account" link if you haven't been there before)
For me, most of the time writer's block comes from a problem in the plot of the story I'm writing. I rarely do more than the roughest of outlines and sometimes I find that what I've planned isn't going to work with the characters I've created. Sometimes this is a good thing as I develop the characters they take me on an even more intriguing journey than I'd originally planned. Other times, it's not so good as I realize the character I've just created isn't going to work for the story the other characters need me to tell. When that happens, I pull the offending character and put him/her into a file to be revisited later.
Rereading what I have written is a must for me. When I sit down to write, I read the previous few pages or chapter, depending on the length of the story and how long it's been since I worked on that particular project.
As for help editing, Marita.... don't trust your spell checker. ;)
Consider checking with any local colleges or universities in your area. Sometimes college students will line edit for far less than you could hire a professional editor. Just make certain the person you're hiring is making good grades in English! | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 7/6/2005 7:04:45 PM | I've written 7 Feature Film Scripts and 1 Miniseries. Have'nt tried to sell anything as yet {building a portfolio first}... The 'Insipiration is simple. "WHAT do you want your Characters to do TODAY? Remember: It's Setup, Conflict, Resolution... regardless of genre'..... | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 7/6/2005 10:02:42 PM | | It is if you're writing generic McCrap, which the world needs like...well, like more McCrap. Go read some Burroughs, stare at some Dali, listen to some Pink Floyd. Whatever you do, don't just add another steaming turd to the pile! | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 7/7/2005 11:09:26 AM | Boy you can always learn something new can't you but,...pet lion what exactly is
moto-journalism,...that one's a new one for me?????  | |
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| Writers Block.........
Posted: 7/7/2005 11:12:24 AM | | Hey there Dr,...what I was saying earlier is for me anyway,...the block comes from my trying to manipulate the story ,....the damn bursts when I allow the storry to flow through my pencil......forget the structure,....and see it in my minds eye like my own personal movie,... | |
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