Bisky's Twitterling's Scribbles! discussion
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Jenny Cutler Lopez
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Reading a book on writing has given me a case of writer's block. Nooooo....
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Jenny, I am in a somewhat similar situation in that I have three (IMO) great ideas for short stories and I simply can't get started although I know many of the scenes. I am in the middle of revising a mystery novel but it is already 90% written so I am not adding much or anything new. I think for me I've reached a point in my writing where I want the first draft to be the final version - inotherwords, perfect the first time through. I know that will NEVER happen. As for how to deal with it, the only way I know it to write an entire history of one of more characters - what they did before they arrived at the starting point of the story. I agree with you on writing books - sometimes they become our worst enemy - but remember, these are books written by authors with their own set of rules and guideline that may or may not coincide with yours. There is a program called Write Sparks that gives ideas but like you, I am allowing the editor into the room rather than keeping him out until he (or she - LOL) is needed. I don't know your history of what you've written so far, but I think it boils down to write something - anything just to get started and TRUST it will come back to you. Don't know if all this crap helped or hurt you, but most writers go through this stage. If all else fails, ask yourself this question - "Do I just want to chuck it all and stop writing?" I suspect the answer is a resounding NO! Best of luck with shutting out the editor and slaying Writer's Block. Please feel free to send me some ideas or what might be bouncing around in your head and hopefully I can help you get started. I'm an editor for a small publisher and recently completed my first assignment.
@Jenny, was it "about writing" by stephen king?Writing manuals are good to know the basics and stuff, but then you have to learn your own personal flavor
I get that writer's ADD sometimes where I keep jumping around. I give myself a week to get over it. If I don't, I assign myself one book to work on. Usually, I work on the one that is closest to completion and just start with rewrites. Don't let a book about writing ruin writing for you.Promo stuff sucks. If you want to sell books, you have to do it. I assign specific times to do promo stuff and refuse to even think about it any other time. Don't let it get into your creative time.
To stay focused I drink water, take vitamin B, and eliminate all distractions. Those seem to work best for me when I'm having trouble getting in the zone. I had one of those moments last week where I was stuck on a piece of dialogue that my character was supposed to respond to, but he just stood there.
Thank you so much for advice on both physical and mental level. I just took a B vitamin with a big glass of water and i am ready to sit down again tomorrow and write with the door closed on the editor. I'm going to write long hand as that seems to breed inspiration. I will block out all the marketing stuff. Hearing from other people reminds me this writers block happens to many people. And it's not a sign to stop writing. ;)
@kamil Yes, it was On Writing! How did you guess that?
No such thing. Draft, outline, plan, character sketch -- do something.
@Jenny, that book althrough it's a good one, it has issues.
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People are persnickety about writing and grammar. But I think it can crush the creative flow. Most of the grammar Nazis who attack my tweets don't have books out yet. I think if you focus on the dots you miss the bigger picture.
Everyone has their own way of writing. I never think of rules when I write. That's what editing is for :3
But even then I try not to snip out too much. Most of the time people like my tweets even when I've confused its and it's again xD Just doesn't make sense to me...
Thanks Bisky. I followed your website to find you on twitter and I saw your post 'Can't Write?'. Timely! I enjoyed it. Look forward to reading more.
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Yet, don't forget to follow Anna Rice's advices FIRST and FOREMOST.
Anna Rice:
I've often said there are no rules for writers. Let me share the WORST AND MOST HARMFUL ADVICE I was ever given by others. 1) Write what you know. 2)You'll have to polish every sentence you write three or four times. 3)Genius is one tenth talent and nine tenths hard work and 4) You're not a real writer if you don't write every day. --- ALL OF THAT WAS HARMFUL TO ME. ALL OF IT. IT HURT AND IT SET ME BACK. ----- So I say again, there are no rules. It's amazing how willing people are to tell you that you aren't a real writer unless you conform to their cliches and their rules. My advice? Reject rules and critics out of hand. Define yourself. Do it your way. Make yourself the writer of your dreams. Protect your voice, your vision, your characters, your story, your imagination, your dreams.
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@G.G, gotta love abit of Anne Rice. She's my kind of lady ;D
Thanks G.G. Love the quote by A.Rice. I might have to print that out and stick right over my computer!
G.G. very well said, or rather quoted. All too often I see writing rules dispensed like dogma that is intended to stifle creativity instead of improving prose. The more I talk to other writers the more I've seen that different things work for different people. The trick is to find what works for you and like Anne Rice said, to "do it your way."
At the same time, I think writing reference books do have their place because one never knows how a piece of advice might be exactly what you are looking for.
I am suffering from my first case of writers block which is kinda terrifying. I define it as lack of inspiration or desire to write. I don't know what to write about and I am all over the place switching genres as I play around trying to get some inspiration back.
Two things are interfering with my love for writing. A couple weeks ago, I read a book about writing. Lots of tips and ideas and rules and now I'm paralyzed - letting the editor in the room while I'm writing first drafts. The second thing is all the other stuff indie authors do like marketing - social media, blog posts, promo videos etc is zapping the life out of me.
Anyone else been in this place before? How did you escape?