Discussion Question: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
What do you do to overcome writer’s block? Do you have any tips or tricks? Does it just happen naturally?
Please discuss your responses to this question in the comments. Is there something you’ve always wanted to ask your fellow writers? Email your discussion question suggestions to twentysomethingwriters[at]gmail[dot]com.
(Credit for this discussion question goes to Pam.)
May 6th, 2009 at 4:04 am
It’s hard, really. I usually try reading a good book (even if I’ve read it before). It gets my thoughts flowing, and it gives me ideas.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am
This is a good idea, I’ll have to try it.
May 6th, 2009 at 5:31 am
I run – it’s my way of relaxing, and thinking! I can only think of one thing at a time when I’m running which really helps open up doors in my mind.
May 6th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Sometimes you just have to keep writing.
May 6th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Since starting to read frequently again I’ve found myself more inclined to write. I also like surfing news sites for ideas, using prompts, and occasionally I’ll just try writing regardless and see how it goes.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Three ways.
1. Talk out loud about what you’re thinking, and jot down notes.
2. When you are on a roll, simply get out of bed and veer from what you’re doing and jot down copious notes.
3. Don’t write when you don’t feel it. Write lots when you do.
May 6th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I don’t have a good method… and I sure could use one. Right about now. I don’t know what to blog about! ARGH!
May 19th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Two things that have really helped me: write daily, no matter what, and write to a particular person.
Writing daily takes away the idea that the act of writing is an event or production that you must be prepared for. Seeing it as an event makes it much easier to procrastinate and avoid – you make excuses about not having the right pen or it not being the right time of day. When you write daily, it becomes less of a big deal.
As for writing to a particular person, I came up with this after realising I could easily write sparkling, witty anecdotes when they were in emails to friends, but if I had to write the same story for publication, I’d freeze up. I’d start questioning every sentence and trying to make it sound better. I’d cram in obscure words to make myself appear learned, then wonder why my prose was so forced and lifeless.
This happened because when I was writing to a friend, I was writing to someone I felt comfortable with. I was relaxed, I was chatty, and while I wanted to entertain, I wasn’t bothered if I made a mistake or sounded a bit goofy. When I was writing for publication, however, I’d picture a crowd of unimpressed people, each looking at their watch and giving me ten seconds to impress.
Now I choose one person to write to every time I write. It makes me feel much more at ease and has resulted in flowing, more natural prose.
I recently wrote a blog post on this very topic; it’s here: How to Quit the Procrastinating and Get Writing.
May 20th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I usually listen to music and sit outside. If I am away from the TV, computer, and other distractions it really helps. I listen to the music, and get pictures of stories, or ideas for my writing.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:15 am
Not to brag, but I’ve never had it. I go through slow periods, however, and during those I just read.