This week's topic is how we deal with writer's block, but honestly? I don't believe in writer's block. I think writer's block is a fairy story we tell ourselves when we want to avoid the fact that we're not being productive.
Obviously, we have days when we feel lethargic, fed up, and writing 200 words can seem like an uphill struggle. But, I think that describes bad days in any job, I don't think that it's unique to writer's. But because we're on our own clock we can get away just saying to hell with it.
Of course, I could be just grumpy. This is very possible, as I have been sick for the last week and am sleep deprived. Every time I lie down I get a coughing fit. This means I get no sleep, and I wake up husband several times a night. It's easier to come down downstairs and work. Of course, then I wake up my dog with my periodic coughing fits. She's not speaking to me now, and every time I cough she gives me a withering look. She honestly does. I'll have to bribe her with a rawhide chew.
What do you guys think about writer's block?
I love your take on this!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I really do feel "blocked" but that's because I've usually made a mistake earlier on in the story. When I identify it and fix it, the block magically disappears. :)
Good point. I sometimes think the best cure for writer's block is to write. Hope your coughing goes away.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that! Writer's Block is just an excuse not to write! And I agree with Carrie- the cure to writer's block is, well, to write!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, although I'm sorry you've been feeling rotten. I know when I am sleep deprived, I don't do well at all. I don't believe in Writer's Block, either, but writing it tough when I'm exhausted. And I know about those doggie withering looks, as well. They are killer. ; )
ReplyDeleteI totally agree.
ReplyDeleteI too don't believe in writer's block because even if you aren't sure how to proceed on a particular story, there's always another project you can work on. Some stories do need more thinking time than writing time, but it's always good to have something else queued up.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I think there are good days and less good days. And personally, the late middle is ALWAYS harder, but the only time it is REALLY hard is if i take time completely off--it is hard to get back into it again. The best way to get past 'writer's block' is to write.
ReplyDeleteAw, sorry to hear you've been sick - it sucks! Don't worry, I'm sure your puppy will forgive you with or without the rawhide chew (though the merits of bribery should never be underestimated!).
ReplyDeleteAs for writer's block, well, I do believe that we writers do have times when ideas just don't flow. That's when I bust out an exercise or prompt from one of the many writing books I own and freewrite! I find it helps remove the blockage so to speak. Also, I sometimes look at it as a signal to take a break. A nap, walk, chore or whatever can do wonders!
I hope you feel better soon!!!!
ReplyDeleteheather
I wish I was like all of you--not believing in writer's block, but sometimes I just feel like that's what it is. Not so much that I don't want to write, cause I always want to, it's more like I can't get the right words out. Leaving the writing and doing something else always seems to work for me.
ReplyDeleteCoughing sucks, so I hope you feel better soon and get some sleep.
ReplyDeleteI totally think writer's block happens. I suffer from it enough but it's usually because the scene's difficult, or I'm tired, or some other reason. Sometimes I soldier on. Sometimes I go take a nap.
sorry you've been sick!
ReplyDeletei believe writers block is a thing of the past, something authors got who wrote for a living and couldnt think of a new story or article for a while. i just have bad days, then i'll get inspired by a picture or shopping trip. or maybe i just havent experienced it to know. what do i know?
good post =)
I think you may be right. *sigh* I have no excuse for not writing...not anymore. Better get myself over to the keyboard. ;) Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely heard before--and found to be true--that "writer's block" is just a symptom of something else that's wrong. Whenever I get stuck, I figure it's something about the way the scene is going, or the character's arc is progressing, that I know deep in the back of my mind isn't right for the story.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better!
I like your view on this... every job has slow days or even slow weeks. That is true. Sometimes there is just too much other crap going to let you really focus the way you want to. I dread those weeks, but they happen.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteYours is a good view, and one I try to emulate by making myself write even when I don't want to.
I think you're right. I know I have to turn up and put words down and if they don't come it's not a block... it's my instinct saying I'm going wrong.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better!
Some of my best outlines have been done under the influence of nyquil. Might be worth looking into to help your cough and lack of sleep.
ReplyDeleteI think people use writer's block to name the burn out that comes with pushing on top of the every-day stuff, sitting so much and just the lack of slack writer's usually give themselves because they don't have a 9-5 schedule for writing usually.
Writers block is usually just me saying I'm lazy. Yup, totally agree.
ReplyDeleteHello, fellow blog campaigner from Racheal Harrie's blog. I'm in you YA group. It's good to meet you!
ReplyDeletePS I think that it's cool that you are from Ireland.
Writer's blog stinks! However, sometimes it's okay because I need to get out and about anyway. :P
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better - ugh.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I guess everyone has their own take on writer's block, but I will admit to times I type 20 words, erase them, type in the same 20 words, erase, bang my head on the wall - that's a block for me. Then, I go for a walk. It usually helps.
I think it can be easy to get stuck and lost on what to do next. You've got a block (more like a boulder) sitting between you and getting down to business.
ReplyDeleteBut it's all in how you handle it. Do something productive, free-write, cook, garden, go for a work, take a freaking shower, do anything! Don't just sit about brooding over being blocked.
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