Writers block

[Simon (Highwayman)]

Someone on radio four has just expressed mild disgust that someone has taken the subject of writers block and turned it into a comedy.

It just made me wonder, is writers block a disability that deserves compassion and respect?

[Karen]

nope.
Am sure this has been done to death by zillions of other writers. Surely Simon Brett has something witty to say about it?

[Kath]

I thought that was what you knocked yourself on the head with to make you stop?

[Will]

Even if it was a disability should that mean that we couldn't make a comedy of it?

Then the first rule of "isms" would cut in. It's only okay to make jokes about a minority group of people if you are part of that group.

It would be mildly funny if there was a play about writers block which opened with a group of characters wandering on to stage and then having nothing to say because the writer hadn't written anything.

No? Only me then. As usual.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Adaptation http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268126/?...
and The Shining http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/?...
have popped into my head

[Patti (baconater)]

Will wrote: "Even if it was a disability should that mean that we couldn't make a comedy of it?

Then the first rule of "isms" would cut in. It's only okay to make jokes about a minority group of people if you ..."

That made me laugh, Will.

[Jim]

Simon (Highwayman) wrote: "Someone on radio four has just expressed mild disgust that someone has taken the subject of writers block and turned it into a comedy.

It just made me wonder, is writers block a disability that ..."

A mate of mine who is a seriously good writer always claimed that it can be cured when the money runs out and you have groceries to buy

[Will]

There are very few things I would not be prepared to make jokes about.

Writers block is not on the same scale as those matters.

[David]

I take the same approach to it as Johnny B. Truant:

'You never hear of plumbler's block.'

[Will]

@David - except as a euphemism for laxatives, perhaps?

[David]

Will wrote: "@David - except as a euphemism for laxatives, perhaps?"

Lol. Nice one.

[Darren]

There is nothing that should not be joked about as long as the joke is funny because offensive jokes are not funny.

[Marc]

Will wrote: "Even if it was a disability should that mean that we couldn't make a comedy of it?

Then the first rule of "isms" would cut in. It's only okay to make jokes about a minority group of people if you

It would be mildly funny if there was a play about writers block which opened with a group of characters wandering on to stage and then having nothing to say because the writer hadn't written anything.
..."

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Marc]

Darren wrote: "There is nothing that should not be joked about as long as the joke is funny because offensive jokes are not funny."

but offence depends on the audience. I think any artist has the right to cause offence, what they can't do is incite hate against any kind of community

[Darren]

Marc wrote: "Darren wrote: "There is nothing that should not be joked about as long as the joke is funny because offensive jokes are not funny."

but offence depends on the audience..."

Of course it does, and judging the balance is what makes a comedian great.

[D.M.]

I don't believe in writers block. I think there are just those times when our creative minds want a break, so depending on what was said on the radio it could have been very funny or very insulting.
As far as offensive, it seems someone is always offended by something. I thought it would be pretty funny if on my business pic I put "More than a trophy wife" and put it on fb. Almost every one thought it funny, except for a couple of women who were insulted. Can't please everyone.

[Jim]

The world is full of people who are queuing up to be insulted :-)

[Patti (baconater)]

Stephen Fry said it best.


“It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so fucking what."

[I saw hate in a graveyard -- Stephen Fry, The Guardian, 5 June 2005]”


― Stephen Fry

[D.M.]

Jim wrote: "The world is full of people who are queuing up to be insulted :-)"

lol, truer words were never spoken, Jim.

[D.M.]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Stephen Fry said it best.


“It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that o..."
love it, Patti.

[David]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Stephen Fry said it best.


“It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that o..."

Yes.

If you choose to be offended by something - and it is choice - then that is your problem. No-one else's.

[Jim]

Best comment I saw was

"I'm offended."
"I'm George, glad to meet you."

;-)

[Andy]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Stephen Fry said it best.


“It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that o..."

Mr Fry should perhaps pay attention to his own words as he seems to be offended by everything of late.

Was the person who was offended by mocking writer's block comparing it to an illness, medical condition or whatnot? Frankie Boyle's radio sitcom "Blocked" was jolly funny earlier this year which mocked the pomposity of many writer's who moan on about writer's block as if it's a debilitating illness, well worth a listen to if it returns to the airwaves.

[Patti (baconater)]

I expect Mr Fry would argue what he feels is moral outrage. ;)

[D.M.]

lol to most of this thread. I'm loving it.