Colby R. Rice's Blog, page 5
January 11, 2020
5 Ways To Break Your Writer’s Block
Let’s face it, we all encounter the horrifying blankness and uncertainty that is writer’s block. It creeps upon you in the dead of night, filling you with dread and doubt about your talent as a writer. But it can be slain! Here are five different and dramatic ways to divert your attention from the big bad monster that is writer’s block.
Channel Your Physical Energies
No, it’s not communing with the spirits. Sitting in a dark room typing away might take up your mental energy, but it’s keeping your physical energy trapped up and angsty. Take a hobby you may have and upgrade it to the more extreme intense version, like upgrading regular fishing to ice fishing. Embracing the distracting physical activity and finding the best rod for ice fishing will completely banish writer’s block from your mind. Not only that, it will give you something else to write about.
Remind Yourself How Wonderful You Are
Writer’s block is more of an inner demon that rears its ugly head when you doubt yourself. Think about how wonderful you actually are. No really! Make a creative round-up of your biggest and brightest achievements. Make sure you take a look at it every so often and update the list every time you do something else incredible. If you’re struggling to do it yourself, grab a trusted friend and get them to tell you.
Break The Routine
If you’re constantly writing in the same environment, you’ll fail to feel inspired and the fog of writer’s block will descend. Change your scenery, whether that’s writing in the local coffee shop or library, or simply moving around your own home so you’re staring at a different wall or window. Make sure you take a break from your screen too. Even five minutes of doing something different can refresh your mental activity and get those cogs turning again.
Think About The Big Picture
As a writer, you often have a tendency to be overly detail-focused, and it’s perfectly understandable to lose track of the big picture. Break down your creative goals for the upcoming months and make time every week to look at it and remind yourself that determining the personality flaw of a minor character won’t impact your entire novel. If you’re really struggling, go back to basics and have fun with a story generator, get some inspiration from some out of the box ideas.
Get Some Creative Friends
It might be attending an immersive writing retreat, or simply grabbing a coffee with some close creatives, but surrounding yourself with interesting conversation is bound to wrangle that writer’s block. If you treat it like troubleshooting you’ll also be able to get their feedback on what helps them get through it. Writing in the same room as your creative cohort will also make you feel supported and less alone in your writing endeavours.
Slay your writer’s block dragon by trying something inspirational or extreme, shake yourself from the shackles of your daily routine and get some creative backup. You’re not alone in your writer’s block, and there’s many fellow creatives out there to help you get through it.
January 4, 2020
CEFJ #103 Happy New Year! + My Creative Goals for 2020! (1/4/20)
HAPPY NEW YEAR, my creative lovelies! And a very happy new decade for all!
So 2019 was a whirlwind of both challenges and successes, but we made it, and I’m still here, here, HERE! Lol. Though I’m super mellow on this podcast, I’m excited for 2020! I’m amped for the novels and upcoming film production I’m working on, and especially for the special theatre projects I have in the works for my kids.
2020 is about keeping focused, concentrating my energy, creating like a BOSS, and moving in SILENCE towards my goals and creator infamy. Find out what exactly I have in the works by tuning in!
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: http://www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
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December 29, 2019
CEFJ #102 2019 Creative Achievements Round Up! (12/29/19)
Grab the BOOKS OF EZEKIEL OMNIBUS (Books #1-#3) on the retailer of your choice today!:
https://books2read.com/BOEboxset
I have been gone for over THREE WHOLE MONTHS, and I apologize for that. I’ve been steadily working the entire time, pushing 16- and 17-hour days, and in the past month of November, I was even working on Saturdays.
Lots of adjustments, lots of changes, lots of learning, lots of challenges, but I’m still out here doing my creative thing. As such, I have A LOT to report for my 2019 Creative Achievements Round Up, so tune in and see what the tea is!
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: http://www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
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September 28, 2019
Even J. R. R. Tolkien Didn’t Make It Without Help
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, or J. R. R. Tolkien as most readers know him, is the writer who gave us the epic saga Lord of the Rings at a time where fantasy sagas were long gone. The epic fantasy story we all love first began in 1937, but it was only finished in 1949. However, the first readers had to wait until 1954 to get to buy the first book of the famous trilogy.
In the world of writers, especially at a time where there was no other way than to print-publish, you sometimes have to wait several years before finding not only a literary agent who believes in your work but also a publisher who is willing to take a risk with your manuscript. It’s fair to say, however, that in the case of the Lord of the Rings, Tolkien produced a 9,250-page-long manuscript, which developed over the course of the writing into the story we all know. In other words, his phenomenal work and depth of details suffice to justify the delays in creating the Middle-earth saga. Truth be told, Tolkien didn’t make it without help. For aspiring writers, there is still a lot to learn from Tolkien’s creative work.
Tolkien was a linguist before becoming a writer
First of all, it’s important to understand that Lord of the Rings was designed as a sequel to the Hobbit. Indeed, the first idea was to create a much shorter story. However, Tolkien’s extensive research into the geography and history of Middle-earth to the creation of functioning new languages – not only the Elvish languages but also the languages spoken by the Dwarves, the Black Speech, and the Men – has been an essential part of his writing. It’s fair to say that Tolkien divided his writing time between research and fantasy, and so should modern writers do too. You can nowadays rely on modern tech to figure out how to do split screen on Mac and divide your work into the two main pillars of creativity highlighted by Tolkien. It’s always a good idea to keep your research notes when you’re writing!
If he hadn’t put his health first, we might never have heard of the Hobbit
Tolkien struggled with poor health during the WWI. Many enthusiasts praise his health issues for inspiring him some of the most epic scenes in Lord of the Rings. Tolkien himself has admitted being inspired by his time in the trenches. But, more importantly, if his poor health hadn’t kept him away from the battleground, he wouldn’t have survived the war. There’s no other lesson that taking your time and listening to your body. Your health is your priority as a writer.
His kids kept him creative
Tolkien maintained his creativity by writing Santa letters to his children. He created a variety of stories and characters to entertain them. More importantly, he shared his creative work with them – he finished Lord of the Rings for his son Christopher. Sharing your writing keeps you focused. You can get valuable feedback and also find your inspiration.
There is a lot to learn from many of the most inspiring writers. However, Tolkien offers a new perspective on researching and creating. His dedication to making an imaginary world feel real to himself and his children is what makes Lord of the Rings so magical.
September 15, 2019
CEFJ #101 Green-lighting Yourself & Your Projects: My 10 Year Artist’s Journey! (9/15/19)
Grab the BOOKS OF EZEKIEL OMNIBUS (Books #1-#3) on the retailer of your choice today!:
https://books2read.com/BOEboxset
Here it is, y’all! My TEN YEAR ROUND UP. Holy moly! I have grown so much in these past years, and today I’m looking back at my journey.
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: http://www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
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September 8, 2019
CEFJ #100 I’m BAAAAAAACCKK!!!! (9/8/2019)
Grab the BOOKS OF EZEKIEL OMNIBUS (Books #1-#3) on the retailer of your choice today!:
https://books2read.com/BOEboxset
WOOOOOOWWW.
It has been 4.5 months since my last podcast and vlog, and obviously, that’s super unacceptable. But I have some really awesome-sauce news about, well, EVERYTHING that’s been going on. The summer has been both beautiful and a challenge, but things have finally shaken out in a lovely way.
How, you ask? Listen to find out the tea!
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: http://www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColbyRRice
My Instagram: https://instagram.com/colbyrrice
April 22, 2019
CEFJ #99 Short & Sweet (4/22/19)
Pre-order WHEN IN R
Ō
HM on the retailer of your choice:
http://books2read.com/wheninrohm
Hey y’all! April’s been a long and kinda crazy month, but I’m still enduring. And yes, I am STILL resting and taking care of self, lol. Still, I’ve been able to get a sprinkling of things done last week, and I’m here to give an update! xoxo
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColbyRRice
My Instagram: https://instagram.com/colbyrrice
April 15, 2019
CEFJ #98 Q1 2019 Creative Achievements Round Up! (4/15/19)
Pre-order WHEN IN R
Ō
HM on the retailer of your choice:
http://books2read.com/wheninrohm
It’s been an insane first 3 months of the year, and you know what?
I STILL KICKED ASS.
Let’s get into it.
The Podcast: http://www.colbyrrice.com/the-epic-fa...
My Author Website: www.colbyrrice.com
My Novels: http://bit.ly/ColbyRRiceAmazonAuthorPage
Support the F’empire on Patreon: http://patreon.com/colbyrrice
My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColbyRRicePage/
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColbyRRice
My Instagram: https://instagram.com/colbyrrice
April 1, 2019
CEFJ #97 I PASSED My Thesis Defense! Senior Spring BEGINS! (4/1/19)
Pre-order WHEN IN RŌHM on the retailer of your choice:
http://books2read.com/wheninrohm
So, after 10 grueling months of learning TV writing, reading Shakespearean plays, writing, plotting, worldbuilding, and more, I finally DEFENDED my Masters Thesis and I PASSED!!
YAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!
And as a result, I’ve pretty much officially met all my requirements for getting this degree. So yes, I am AMPED. And my Senior Spring has officially begun, which means? I AIN’T DOIN’ NOTHING! And don’t ask me for anything, either. 
March 18, 2019
CEFJ #96 I’m in Love… and Love Comes First! (3/18/19)
So first things first, lovelies!
MY MASTERS’ THESIS IS FINISHED AND SUBMITTED! WOOT!
I had a GREAT time developing the first iteration of the WHEN IN RО̄HM TV series for my Masters Thesis. I’m really happy where the series is right now, and I will spend the rest of the semester honing my script and my concept. AND I’m going to translate this TV series into a serialized novella series, coming this summer 2019!
But PHEW! IT. IS. DONE! I defend my thesis on April 1, and after that? SENIOR SPRING, BABY!
I also talk about LOVE, y’all.
