Blockage
Argh! I can’t write!
For some reason I’ve been having serious writer’s block these past few weeks and simply cannot get my ideas onto the page… it’s very frustrating as I know exactly what I want to write but I can’t make it get out of my head and become Written Word.
Harumph.
hypatia said,
28 July, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Boy, writer’s block can really be frustrating. Have you tried using stream of consciousness as a way fo breaking it up? Sometimes it is helpful too to start something new instead of trying to force work on something already underway. Then when an idea comes about the forst piece, it flows and doesn’t feel forced.
Agapanthus said,
29 July, 2006 at 10:57 am
Have you tried Strong Drink? In moderation, of course. Enough to stop feeling self-conscious (my main block), but not so much you can’t spell.
Seriously, you have my deepest sympathy. I’ll sit here and harrumph with you, if I may.
aberdeenquinie said,
29 July, 2006 at 11:35 am
Would it help to jot down the main themes and ideas as a couple of words – and leave it until you feel able to come back and kick them into shape?
Of course, you’ve probably done this already.
Not that I know much about it.
The only stuff I tend to write is my scribblings on here and at The Other Place – and some factual stuff for staff training and patient information.
I like the idea of being able to write the stuff you guys do – I’m just not talented anough to do it and therefore will gladly join you in the harrumphing corner.
Reed said,
31 July, 2006 at 9:33 am
Any shiftage on the blockage yet? How’s it going? Personally I find writing about not being able to write very therapeutic, gets things moving again, stimulates the old creative juices.
Mr. Dreadful said,
31 July, 2006 at 11:41 am
No blockage shift at the moment I’m afraid… I’m going to have a stab at writing other stuff (Guide Entries, etc) for a while to see if my brain can get into a suitably write-y mood.
hypatia said,
31 July, 2006 at 8:08 pm
Hope that move is successful. Sending a cyberhug.
Solnushka said,
1 August, 2006 at 8:05 am
Yes, selfishly hoping for the next installment of the story on my part. But obviously for you to feel less frustrated too.
Singing Librarian said,
1 August, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Would it help if we all applied sink plungers to your head?
I hope you can shift the block soon. Mental blocks of any kind are terribly frustrating.
healingmagichands said,
4 August, 2006 at 3:36 am
To elaborate on Hypatia’s stream of consciousness idea, I have read and tried successfully the application it this way. If you have to, set your alarm early. Then, the very first thing you do when you get up in the morning, after you have made your bathroom visit , is sit down with a pen or pencil and three sheets of paper. And you start writing. Whatever it is in your head, even if what is in your head is “I can’t think of a thing to write, this is stupid. Oh look, the cat is out there trying to tear the screen out of the window because I am sitting here writing instead of letting it in. . .” And you write until you have filled three sheets. And you do this every morning religiously. It is important that this be longhand unless you are paraplegic or have severe carpal tunnel syndrome, because there is some connection of muscle to brain that seems to facilitate the opening up of the block. Somehow using this method of stream of consciousness first thing seems to allow you to access what might be blocking you.
good luck. Your writing is too much fun for it to stop.
echomikeromeo said,
30 October, 2006 at 6:09 am
I feel your pain. I often find that while I may have ideas throughout the course of the day, I forget them when it comes to sitting down at the computer. Lately I’ve taken to dropping everything in order to write when I get an idea — which, while something of a waste of time, has stimulated my creative output.