Does writer's block exist?

[Ann]

If you are a fan of Terry Prachett, he famously said that writer's block was invented in hollywood as an excuse for poor writing (Or something, too tired to remember) We all have those days where nothing goes right, of course. That happens with anything.

I personally think 'writer's block' is really just a lack of confidence in one's own ability. Confidence stops you from doing alot of things. Once you have it you can do almost anything easily.

I splurge quote tweets out all day and they come to me on the spot, because I really don't care if they get critque (they do ALOT, its quite tedious sometimes to anwser it)

But I like my tweets personally, I believe in them, and I mean every one I write. So, They don't stop coming to me when I want to write them.

The same with my writing. It just never stops once I start the flow. Because I believe in my ability to create a story.

Editing takes me longer, I get 'Editor's block' but I know that I am very unconfident in what I'm doing. And I know that I need help, but thats something I can work on. So it doesn't stop me for long.

Thoughts?

[Jack]

I don't acknowledge the existence of writer's block, but I expect the definition varies widely. Some might define writer's block as not being able to write on your current project. My definition is not being able to write ANYTHING, and in that respect, has never existed nor do I ever expect it to raise its ugly head. There are too many sources for prompts and ideas and we writers are just too creative to get blocked from writing anything.

[J.K.]

To me, writer's block definitely exists. I don't see it as poor writing or anything like that. I see it as, "just not feeling it right now," or "my mind is over occupied with other things at the moment."

I see writer's block as: time to take a break. If I am blocked, I put it away for the day and go watch a movie, read a book, or do something else. When I come back to it the next day, writer's block gone and away I go.

[J. David]

Neil Gaiman also famously said that writing was a battle between the writer and the blank page, and sometimes the blank page wins.

Yes, I'd say writer's block exists, all it really means is that the blank page wins, you can't seem to get anything out of your head to fill it up. Sometimes you start then delete everything you just wrote because it's not working.

I've been fortunate not to have this happen recently, although I have had days where I don't get much done because I need to think about the scene more and let it marinate for a while before it's ready to come out of the oven. But I have had writer's block in the past, and it sucks.

[Michael]

I don't know... I get 'stuck' sometimes. that is when the beauty of co-authoring with my wife really shines. If I get stuck we sit down over a cup of coffee or whatever and brainstorm. By the end of the conversation I am 'un-stuck' and able to move on.

[Valerie]

I've certainly experienced blockage when writing and it's terribly frustrating to stare at the blank page, wait for words to come.

[Ann]

Its really interesting to hear different interpretations :3 We all write differently, afterall :3

[Carry]

Ooh i had this discussion with my co-writer not so long ago. She believes in it, I don't.

I do get that you can have lesser days, but if something doesn't want to work out, move to something else for a bit. I think that trying and trying and trying even though it doesn't work, makes you frustrating and gets you stuck.

I also believe that writing something bad, is better than nothing at all. You can always go back and edit it later!

If there is such a thing as a writer's block, it is when my characters refuse to talk to me. I have this one scene that i just cannot write (luckily it's not in the story but more background info for me) because my character refuses to tell me what exactly happened and what he felt during it. It might sound silly, but it really feels that way.

[Ann]

Its beginning to sound abit like a mythalogical creature :p

[Samuel]

I don't believe it exists. It is just a thing of being in a funk and not liking what we are writing at that point. It is always better to go do something unrelated to what you are writing at that point to recharge. You are simply tired not suffering from writer's block...

[Andi]

I don't believe it exists. I believe it's an excuse to not write. I absolutely agree, though, that sometimes it's hard to get words to the page and sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing is to take a walk. But like "inspiration," I think these are things people say to make writing seem more mystical than it is. It's just hard work - like any other work. :)

[Heidi]

I believe in it and that is comes in many forms. Everyone has given great examples in how to get past it and I've used them. But if the words won't flow from the pictures in your head onto paper when you know yesterday they flowed just fine what would you call it? Not bad writing.

[Jade]

I have definitely had writer's block, many times. And yes, Virgina, it does exist. Sylvia Plath once sat at a blank page for 6 hours. It's not an excuse not to write, but an inability to do so. Writer's block is a psychological affliction for certain, and getting past it can be some of the hardest work of all. I don't think having writer's block equates to laziness or unwillingness. Banging your hands against the keyboard and forcing words when words don't want to come won't result in good writing.

[Carry]

Jade wrote: "I have definitely had writer's block, many times. And yes, Virgina, it does exist. Sylvia Plath once sat at a blank page for 6 hours. It's not an excuse not to write, but an inability to do so. Wri..."

Yes, but bad writing is still better than no writing at all, because even bad writing is practice.

[Carl]

No.

Sometimes we struggle with writing but that's part of the magic.

[Ann]

"Sometimes we struggle with writing but that's part of the magic. "

What a lovely way to put it, Carl.

[Carl]

Thanks.

[Vanessa Eden]

for me when 'writers block's occurs it is basically because I have not had time to devote to writing, research, and reading.
I don't think it is a mental block, just a like of time, motivation and desire...or perhaps even depression. I am surmising this out of my experience, however . I am curious on other writers opinions. :)

[Ann]

Thats interesting, I definatly know my writing is related to my mood. As I've said before, writing leaves you alone with thoughts. So I do think you need a certain amount of strength to just sit down and do it. I can always write, but the quality of my ideas wanes with my happiness. I only finished my first novel after I met my best friend. I need a certain amount of inner peace to be utterly creative *focuses chi*

So, I guess for me writers block doesn't exist, I can always write about something, but I sometimes get 'massively good/full book' idea block?

[Vanessa Eden]

I like what Carl said. The struggle in writing and creating a concept is the magic of writing. I suppose if having an idea worth writing, everyone would do it. That reminds me the thrill of over comming the trials is what makes the journey and the fruition of our art the real masterpiece. I guess what I am saying is the journey is the actual art and the end product is just what comes out of the art(journey). Art is a verb, kinda thing.

[Ann]

Yeah, I guess what I meant is that I can be alittle bit arty most of the time. For example my tweets (back afew years ago I was constantly spewning poetry) but there was a time when I had no ideas for stories. Now I get it all the time, but I'm the happiest I've been since I was maybe... 13? lol

[Vanessa Eden]

That's great! ;)

[Ann]

I agree though, I didn't feel much after my book was finsihed last time. Writing is what makes me feel like a writer, but I guess thats what will change if I ever get anything in print :p

[Vanessa Eden]

My sentiments exactly. I just want one book with actual paper rather than an ebook. I think I would feel like I have arrived

[Ann]

Saying that, I probably will feel like that when I publish to kindle. But there is always that charm of being able to sign something :p Been researching it alittle, doesn't seem to be worth it (to go to Createspace) for my first publication :3 Maybe when my first is out there for a little while :3

[Vanessa Eden]

I thought about going through kindle if Zebra and a few other small publishers don't work out.

[Ann]

I haven't really researched it properly yet *scratches head* I'm still editing so it will be a few months before I can even consider it. I've had requests for signed copies and things but I don't know if I will have the resources to do it for my first book :|

[Vanessa Eden]

yea that's kinda been my block too.

[Ann]

I was gonna make a thread about it nearer the time, but feel free if you want to ask :3 I've had a couple of Indie Publishers approach me, but I really want to do this myself *is stubborn*

[Carl]

I used to invoke writers' block for poor planning or outright laziness. That's why I don't give creedence to it. But I get stuck. Them I think/write/blast my way through it.

[Ann]

I think that not having enough time to think really has something to do with it :3

[Harmony]

If the story's flowing I'm writing, when it's not I'm not. I never force it. Often life interrupts, but I always get right back to it. My problem tends to be too much imagination, rather than not enough :) The times I've leapt out of bed at 3 in the morning to write down what I should really be snoring through. Oh well ...

[G.G.]

I don't know about writer's block, but I know about a tiny pet peeve of mine. It's when I'm sitting in front of my computer, and I have my story in mind, but all of a sudden, I can't find the word. You know, THAT word, the word that is playing hide and seek in your brain. You've heard it often. You've even used it before, and for some reasons, there is just no other words that can replace it BUT it still continues to evade you and you just can't pin it.
I start looking for words in the synonyms dictionary and still can't find it. I switch tactic and search for antonyms. Same thing. That stupid word nags me so much I can't think of anything but to nail it. I've got to get THAT word!
It usually comes back to me when I am far from my computer (or anything I could take notes on) or after I'm like 10 pages further and there is no way I will rewrite everything because of THAT word.
(And that's how story line changes from the original idea. :p)

[Ann]

Gah! I know exactly what you mean! lol

Usually I hear a word in my head that I've always said, something really random and either Irish/Scottish/old english influenced from a random family memeber and I can never find how to spell it.

Usually find it on a forum somewhere :p

[David]

Bisky wrote: "If you are a fan of Terry Prachett, he famously said that writer's block was invented in hollywood as an excuse for poor writing (Or something, too tired to remember) We all have those days where n..."

It completely exists. To me, writer's block is when the story you had planned out in your head is not turning out the way you want it to. It's a disease that fills the heart of every writer, turning his fingers brittle and his mind feeble. Sadly, there is no cure for it.

[Harmony]

G.G. wrote: "I don't know about writer's block, but I know about a tiny pet peeve of mine. It's when I'm sitting in front of my computer, and I have my story in mind, but all of a sudden, I can't find the word...."

Oh boy do I know this one! It'll find me in the wee small hours when I should be asleep ... do I get out of bed, shove on my false leg, and go and write it down? Or do I groan, turn over, and hope it'll be there in the morning? Usually ... I get up :)

[G.G.]

@Harmony lol I can't count how many times I have gotten up at 3am to write a paragraph or two in my draft/book or just a word. I guess it all comes with the 'job'. :p

[Harmony]

@GG - lol :3

[Ann]

I often have to dodge cars when a really awesome scene pops in my head while I'm out walking.

Kinda glad the fact that they drive on the other side of the road here puts me off driving so much.

[G.G.]

@Bisky Oh you mean that in Sweden they actually know which side is the right side to drive? /ducks

[Ann]

You just wanted to be little bloody rebels.

[G.G.]

:p