The Writers Block Thread

Discussion in 'General Writing' started by Sapphire, Sep 21, 2006.

  1. frigocc

    frigocc Contributor Contributor

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    Every time I have writer's block, I think of what my own made-up character, Peter Parkinson's, would do (besides shoot a very inaccurate web): buck up and keep writing.
     
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  2. Shenanigator

    Shenanigator Has the Vocabulary of a Well-Educated Sailor. Contributor

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    This. Then when I come back, it's usually with good ideas and a massive amount of words in one shot.
     
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  3. DK3654

    DK3654 Almost a Productive Member of Society Contributor

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    I have found that to be often true as well. Gives you motivating energy to get back in to things after a break.
     
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  4. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    I lowered my expectations. Well, that I went out in the world and really compared what I have to offer as a person compared to others. I did freelance writing for a little while and I realized I have a lot to offer in the grand scope of humans trying to write in English. I honestly thought I was bottom of the barrel before that for a while. I was comparing myself to the wrong people. I'm not comparing myself to the people on top anymore. I may not even be comparing myself to people in the middle, haha. That is where I lowered my expectations and it's made me a more confident writer. I don't read Hemingway or Miller or whoever and think "wow how can I ever compare". Instead I compare myself to a different group. I'm writing genre fiction, a sub genre of romance and having a great time! I compare myself to self publishers on Amazon and feel like I can compete. That I could one day (after years of experience) be one of the better (best? ) ones in that arena. I'm having fun so I know I'll stick with it long enough to at least learn how to tell a good story at some point.
     
  5. GrJs

    GrJs Active Member

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    I don't doubt myself. The difference between a bad and good writing is how many times you look back on it. The thing with that is you can't go over your writing right after you've written it. Leave for a bit, read it over, reword things where you think they need to be reworded and then by the third or fourth time you've done that it's good.

    Your problem with dialogue is probably that you can't find your characters voices so when you read it out to yourself they all sound like one character. I heard some good advice from George RR Martin, write a speech for your characters then read through them, if they all sound like they've been said by the same person then you need to work on knowing your characters more so you can channel their voice.
     
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  6. Fallow

    Fallow Banned

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    The nice thing with writing is that you don't need to buy paint or pay to take a welding class. You don't need a practice space, band members or a travel budget. So you can spend as much effort as you want working on your writing by simply using the computer you already have and the imagination you were born with. Keep trying - it's free.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2019
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  7. frigocc

    frigocc Contributor Contributor

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    I paid to take a welding class once. It was very fun, but not doing it for 8 hours straight and still sucking, lol. Glad I changed my career path.

    And now, I will say, I still doubt my abilities often, but these past few days, been writing a ton and making progress. Will probably post the first couple chapters in the workshop sometime soon.
     
  8. frigocc

    frigocc Contributor Contributor

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    Part of my problem is that I have probably unrealistic expectations. I feel like an idiot even suggesting this, but I want to not only get published by Penguin, but I want to pay off all my credit card and student loan debt with my first 2-3 books. Merely being published or selling 100 books won't cut it for me. I want to be a successful author.

    I think that's why I doubt my abilities. I know that my Deadbeat's Guide isn't too great, so it'll probably be one of those that sell only like 10 books.
     
  9. Maverick_nc

    Maverick_nc Contributor Contributor

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    People will probably say your foolish but I don't see any problem with having those ambitions. You can't achieve if you don't dream.
    I really like the direction your Deadbeats Guide books are taking, but obviously it will take a lot more work, blood, sweat, tears and polishing.
    Don't let the content/genre distract you, not every book has to be deep and philosophical.....sometimes just being entertaining is enough.

    Best of luck.
    NC
     
  10. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    Difference between unrealistic and realistic can be:

    1. Workload. You work like a horse to make unrealistic become realistic.

    2. Intelligence. You see the way to make unrealistic to realistic.

    3. Creativity. You create something new which makes the difference. Unrealistic becomes realistic because of this new creation.

    4. Co-operation. You get help. You give help.

    5. Research. You keep on digging and you start to find packets of "how to".

    6. Divine intervention, luck or something else outside your own deeds.

    Unrealistic is very often realistic in disguise.
     
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  11. DK3654

    DK3654 Almost a Productive Member of Society Contributor

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    I've found it's often easy to doubt when I'm focused on pushing myself to write the next scene, but when I go back and read over what I've written already I actually feel more confident. Like, "look, you actually wrote all this".
     
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  12. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    If you can get a deal with random penguin its not unrealistic to pay off your debt etc - however getting that deal is a pretty big if, and getting it with your first book is even more unlikely... it can happen (vis say Andy Weir) but it's a long shot not a dead cert
     
  13. cosmic lights

    cosmic lights Contributor Contributor

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    "Maybe it's time to try a new hobby and let this ambition go because let's face it, the chances of you getting published are zero and you're work isn't any good anyway. You'll never get published in a million years and I'm an oracle who is 100% accurate and never wrong. Success in this area is not for you. Now...do you still want to write regardless?"

    My Grandfather said this to me once and the answer from me was "Yes". Once I stopped expecting and setting goals and thinking about being published and writing for a market or a group. I found the fun in writing again. Try asking yourself this question. Think about it. If the answer is genuinely no then move on to something else. But sometimes you have to off load the pressure a bit. Hope this helped.
     
  14. labelab

    labelab Member

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    You were one strong-willed kid! Probably would have burst into tears myself.

    But thank you, this did help ;) I love this.
     
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  15. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    It sounds like you're putting more thought into your roadblocks than your writing. Why not name your inspiration instead of your self-inflicted problems? Every writer goes through doubting themselves, but we're not chained to that doubt. I mean you say you think you're good at this. Why are you trying to complicate it by creating some alter ego that isn't doing you any favors? Most aspiring writers will give up. That's a choice. It's also a choice to bust your ass and work hard. I would really think about where you're putting your energy. If it's not going into your writing, maybe there is no point.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2019
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  16. GrJs

    GrJs Active Member

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    I suggest you shoot Rick. Given you called him Rick, try the Rick and Morty fandom. There's a whole citadel of Ricks for you to do with as you please. Shoot, slice, dice, pull apart, burn, melt, freeze, turn into gelatine, skin, harvest his organs, remove limbs, pop eyes, wrench teeth, kill the one person he seems to care about.... Just kill Rick is what I'm getting at.
     
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  17. Desire2write

    Desire2write New Member

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    Hi there
    I have not been on for a while due to a bout of depression. I have started writing but I am finding it very fit difficult. Not much inspiration. Low ebb. How do I unlock this unsightly iffliction? Any ideas? Thanks
     
  18. LoaDyron

    LoaDyron Contributor Contributor

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    Hello friend. :superhello:

    Welcome back. Now... don't wait for inspiration because that will delay you to write anything. Just get used to having your computer on, and a word page in front of you. Meanwhile, you can listen to music to help you write something. Any music. Do you have a small story? Write it down. Do you have a short scene between characters? Write it down. What I mean is to create excuses to write even if you don't write a page, that's fine, but at least you are creating good habits.

    I hope this helps. Don't give up! Have fun. :superagree:
     
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  19. John Calligan

    John Calligan Contributor Contributor

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    I use the triple prong of keeping up on chores, exercise, and watching documentaries.
     
  20. Desire2write

    Desire2write New Member

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    Thank you LoaDyron for the inspiring comments. I'm keep on listening to last night's Eurovision winner let's hope it lifts my mood and writing practice. Thank you again.

     
  21. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    There's no other way than just to do it. I get that things get in the way and can make us feel like doing anything but writing. And that's okay. Sometimes we need time to focus on life outside of writing. However, establishing some sort of routine can help us get through the hard times and back in the game. Writing is a choice. Not writing is a choice. And no one can really help you make that choice. I think it often comes down to how bad you want it. If that's not enough motivation for you, maybe it's not something you really want or at least really want at this time. That's okay, too. The option and choice to write is always going to be there when you want it.
     
  22. labelab

    labelab Member

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    you always say such wise things but all i can see is a chicken behind them
     
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  23. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    LOL. If you've got a better suggestion for my avatar, I'm happy to mix things up. :)
     
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  24. jim onion

    jim onion New Member

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    For me, writer's block has always been a cover-up. Not that it doesn't exist, but rather that the term - and the way it is conceptualized - obfuscates and compounds the actual issue. (We misidentify or misunderstand the cause.)

    More simply: at the bottom of my writer's block, fear, doubt, and the inner-critic can be found. So when I fear failing or "not being good enough", I become chronically dissatisfied with my abilities and the resulting product, and I am swamped with doubt. But psychological repression has a way of trying to write it all off as "I can't think of anything". Probably because that's comforting to my inflated ego.

    In conclusion, I am of the opinion that "I can't think of anything" is a lie. Maybe that's just my personal experience because I'm fortunate enough to always have ideas; if I say "I can't think of anything" it means that I can't think of anything that doesn't make me despair over how shit I apparently am.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2019
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  25. labelab

    labelab Member

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    maybe a cooked chicken this time? someone's gonna get salmonella dammit
     
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