Struggling Writers discussion
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Tips for Squashing Writer's Block
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Try changing your writing location when you are stuck. Taking your writing outside can be very effective. Stop where you are and write either a scene you've been lookng forward to, or one you've been dreading. Look for the strong opinions in your novel, embrace the opposite of an idea, and find somewhere in your novel for it to live. Find some way of revisiting the inspiration for your novel - whether that's a feeling, a memory, or a place. I must confess, I am a writer of a book all about tackling writer's block (as well as honing your draft once it is complete): http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D9NRF8U
Also, preparation can be key. Time spent experimenting with different outlines of your plot, even if all the details aren't tied down before you begin to write, can give you a map to return to when you find yourself lost.
This was really helpful, especially the going outside part. I need to remember to use that!
You’ve given me an idea: In honour of NaNoWriMo, writers who buy my book '52 Dates for Writers' (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D9NRF8U) in Oct / Nov and email proof of purchase to contact@clairewingfield.co.uk can send me an outline of their work, or the idea they are working from, and I will prepare a list of questions and prompts to email you to help keep the words flowing. If you have any recommendations on where I would be best to post this, just let me know!
I write erotic, when I get a block I sometimes let the book settle when I start another one. Or another sex scene works.
write something else for a while. Could be another story, could be a blog post, could be an email. Anything to distract your brain and hopefully remove that block.
J.G. wrote: "write something else for a while. Could be another story, could be a blog post, could be an email. Anything to distract your brain and hopefully remove that block."That's usually what I turn to, also. I usually try free-writing. Just taking five minutes to write whatever comes to mind.
Claire wrote: "You’ve given me an idea: In honour of NaNoWriMo, writers who buy my book '52 Dates for Writers' (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D9NRF8U) in Oct / Nov and email proof of purchase to contact@clairewin..."Hi Clarie! That sounds like a great opportunity, why don't you go post it in the Bulletin Board folder? The Promotions and Giveaways folder would also be a good place.
Writing something else is useful as too is free-writing, so i have to completely agree with this advice. There were times when i stopped for cups of tea and snack breaks. Dog walks (to get some fresh air) and even watching a television programme for some relaxation.
However, the biggest cure for writers block i found was to push ahead and keep writing. This i know is not a solution for everyone, especially if you are pulling at your hair because you're not sure of what words to even write. But, i was constantly aware of not the daily word count as such but rather how much i wanted to actually put my ideas onto paper rather than talk about it.
It is easy to talk about writing a novel than to actually write one, and so in a way forcing myself to try my hardest to keep going (even if it took 20 mins or more per sentence) was important. I knew that every single word i was writing down was contributing to making this novel a reality, and so this kept me going...
before i felt the impulse to throw the computer out the window!
Thanks Irene, I'm going to post this in the folders you suggest today. Great to hear everyone's ideas and experiences.
I usually get the Writer's Block after I complete a chapter of the story. Is there a way to break this thing ?
What do you mean by AFTER? You don't know how to start the next chapter?
It's the feeling of taking a long break on completion of the previous chapter, relax and chill out for a few days. Once the mind has been relaxed, the desire to get onto the next chapter starts. But until then, I get the feeling of not to write.
I think that's the biggest part of NaNoWriMo. The goal is to make sure you write every day, which is an effective way to help you kick that feeling of not wanting to write :)
I do get that feeling once i have completed a section and i move onto writing a new one. Each 'section' takes you to a different place, with different events and sometimes new characters. In some instances it is like starting from scratch. If i plough ahead the words eventually come to me and then the story flows...its not always easy!
Lucinda wrote: "I do get that feeling once i have completed a section and i move onto writing a new one. Each 'section' takes you to a different place, with different events and sometimes new characters. In some i..."Thanks Lucinda. That's exactly what I wanted to mean. It took me almost a day to get back into the flow. Until then it was research on the locations, character details, and inner details about how to get along with other details. For example, when it came for a point of an evil character befriending someone from a higher position, there was a need to create a storyline of itself, about getting the character become inflicted with pain, until the evil guy succeeds in helping him get out of it and saving him.
So I take it that your writer's block has vanished, Shlomo?(:
We all have good days and bad days. Some days i struggle to write anything at all, and i feel like i am treading through treacle. Other days the words come easily, without thinking, and so when i check my word count i am pleasantly suprised.
Personally, I am having trouble writing a story that has a huge plot and having to build up to it. I just want to work up to the big scenes, but it's terribly hard. I wish I could write the big scenes and go back to the beginning, but I know that would confuse me and possibly even hinder me further. I'm trying to plow ahead, but it's definitely NOT easy!
♪ Tara ♪ wrote: "Personally, I am having trouble writing a story that has a huge plot and having to build up to it. I just want to work up to the big scenes, but it's terribly hard. I wish I could write the big sce..."Well good luck to you! You could try doing a brainstorming session and build on a small idea.
Brainstorming sessions usually help me !
I get a lot out of them too! Even if I can't immediately use the stuff I get I set it aside and it sparks things later.
I would love to do a brainstorming session, but alas, I am trying to base this on a true story, so I really can't change up what actually happened! Ugh... I probably should've chosen something a bit different for NaNo, but I didn't, and I'm going to finish what I started! :)
Jessica wrote: "So I take it that your writer's block has vanished, Shlomo?(:"Yup... for the time being, it has. I hope I'll get out of it soon, when I start out either a new chapter or a different location.
I have it right now...grrrr!!
Princess pink diamonds posh bird LINZY.x. wrote: "I have it right now...grrrr!!"Same. It is so frustrating ~ i have the desire and longing to write and yet i don't know what to write!!
I'm feeling so exhausted and just NOT in the mood to write. Grr.
Week 2 has been so distracting as compared to Week 1. Things outside of writing are starting to display their desire to be with us. I am starting to see things in my mind. The only way for me as of now is to keep listening to music while writing. Any small movement within the vicinity is making me want to get off writing. I think I'm going to get mad before the month's end. It's so frustrating. Somebody help me. AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!
Aw! Well I think that's part of the biggest problem with week two. But as of tomorrow it'll officially be week three!
Jessica wrote: "Aw! Well I think that's part of the biggest problem with week two. But as of tomorrow it'll officially be week three!"And it's probably even working on me. As far as I sit down to write, my concentration's getting better. Early morning until afternoon is time for me to keep to my writing. And I'm starting to love it.
I think that everyone will feel much better once the dreaded week two is finished.
So, now that week two is over and we're getting closer and closer towards the home stretch, how is everybody's writer's block feeling? Better? (Hopefully not) any worse?
Jessica wrote: "So, now that week two is over and we're getting closer and closer towards the home stretch, how is everybody's writer's block feeling? Better? (Hopefully not) any worse?"Mine is banished...for the moment...*peers around cautiously*
Things are looking better, and I'm stretching further up from 2k words, and looking towards 3k these days. Only have to keep the writing continuous.
My trouble is actually getting the story out, I know how I want it to go more or less but I'm such a perfectionist that I keep rewriting one chapter until I'm 90% satisfied to move on.
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♕ ❤ ♕ Princess pink diamonds posh bird LINZY.x.♕ ❤ ♕
(last edited Jan 13, 2014 10:57AM)
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I managed to do almost another 2 chapters since I last posted..yay!!:)
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What are your tips and tricks for making it go away?