Thought Provoking Poets & Writers
| Got Writer's Block? You Are In Good Company |
Mention writer's block and most writers want to run for safety. Writer's block
threatens to erase any opportunity for success, disappoints deadlines and is just
plain frustrating. Let's just admit that writer's block is an uninvited guest that
hasn't quite got to your house yet, and you know that someday it will.
Writer's Block Tips & Tricks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tip #1: Write, write, write. Writing is a muscle that atrophy's with lack of use.
Many writers develop a routine time and place to practice every day.
Tip #2: Read, read, read. Did I say read? Reading is the other half of the writing
experience. Yes, I said the other half. Reading improves your writing skills.
Writers are often inspired by the phrasing, vocabulary or idea of another writer.
Tip #3: I got this one from a writer/astrologer who often gets me to think outside
of the box - "Wander around like an innocent explorer in search of anything that
captivates your imagination."
Tip #4: Write like no one is going to care. Freewriting, the practice of writing
whatever comes to mind, often breaks through the layer of thinking that is
bothered by one's surroundings. Start your freewriting by writing the phrase "I
don't know what to write" and take it from there.
Tip #5: Atmosphere. Baroque, ambient music or other "alpha" wave music
enhances the creative state of mind and stimulates concentration. I was very
skeptical about the benefits of such music until I experienced it for myself.
Tip #6: Take a walk. Fresh air, nature, and an overall break can offer a fresh start.
What Causes Writer's Block?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interruptions are my nemesis. Being able to devote myself to or concentrate on
my writing is constantly interrupted by work (how dare it), the telephone, family
and other distractions. I don't have a rich patron or large quantities of extra time.
My writing occurs during boring meetings, in noisy coffee shops, waiting for my
car to be washed or calm Sunday mornings. The television is a terrible
distraction for me as well. I almost get high from a good run of stream of
consciousness writing, so I do my best to keep distractions to a minimum.
Dramatic Events. I thought nothing could stop my writing, but a series of events
stopped me cold for three years. The kid's father died, my second marriage
disolved, I got injured at work and was fired, filed for bankruptcy and lost my
house. Emotionally falling apart and trying to survive left little energy to write.
Maxine Hong Kingston was driving home from her father's funeral only to find
that the Oakland Hills were burning, along with her home and her manuscript. It
took five years to write that manuscript again. The whole focus of that manuscript
changed and ended up as The Fifth Book of Peace.
threatens to erase any opportunity for success, disappoints deadlines and is just
plain frustrating. Let's just admit that writer's block is an uninvited guest that
hasn't quite got to your house yet, and you know that someday it will.
Writer's Block Tips & Tricks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tip #1: Write, write, write. Writing is a muscle that atrophy's with lack of use.
Many writers develop a routine time and place to practice every day.
Tip #2: Read, read, read. Did I say read? Reading is the other half of the writing
experience. Yes, I said the other half. Reading improves your writing skills.
Writers are often inspired by the phrasing, vocabulary or idea of another writer.
Tip #3: I got this one from a writer/astrologer who often gets me to think outside
of the box - "Wander around like an innocent explorer in search of anything that
captivates your imagination."
Tip #4: Write like no one is going to care. Freewriting, the practice of writing
whatever comes to mind, often breaks through the layer of thinking that is
bothered by one's surroundings. Start your freewriting by writing the phrase "I
don't know what to write" and take it from there.
Tip #5: Atmosphere. Baroque, ambient music or other "alpha" wave music
enhances the creative state of mind and stimulates concentration. I was very
skeptical about the benefits of such music until I experienced it for myself.
Tip #6: Take a walk. Fresh air, nature, and an overall break can offer a fresh start.
What Causes Writer's Block?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interruptions are my nemesis. Being able to devote myself to or concentrate on
my writing is constantly interrupted by work (how dare it), the telephone, family
and other distractions. I don't have a rich patron or large quantities of extra time.
My writing occurs during boring meetings, in noisy coffee shops, waiting for my
car to be washed or calm Sunday mornings. The television is a terrible
distraction for me as well. I almost get high from a good run of stream of
consciousness writing, so I do my best to keep distractions to a minimum.
Dramatic Events. I thought nothing could stop my writing, but a series of events
stopped me cold for three years. The kid's father died, my second marriage
disolved, I got injured at work and was fired, filed for bankruptcy and lost my
house. Emotionally falling apart and trying to survive left little energy to write.
Maxine Hong Kingston was driving home from her father's funeral only to find
that the Oakland Hills were burning, along with her home and her manuscript. It
took five years to write that manuscript again. The whole focus of that manuscript
changed and ended up as The Fifth Book of Peace.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |