Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

How do you deal with Writer's Block?


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> How do you deal with Writer's Block? Page: [1]
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:13:39 PM   
Edder


Posts: 17
Joined: 11/12/2012
Status: offline 		I'm supposed to write a poem for my Creative Writing class, but it's just not flowing.

I'm usually an all-right writer, but lately, I can't think of anything.

What do you do to deal with it (if you even get it)?

_____________________________

The world is cruel and unforgiving, but cheese is delicious.
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:24:06 PM   
TheHeretic


Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline 		It's homework, not your great contribution to the arts. Chill out. Put something on paper. If writer's block is what's in your head, then that's your subject matter, and the piece can be about how that blank page is mocking you, or something.

I have to compose a little pithy prose now and then at work, and if it isn't coming, I walk away from it for a while, and come back later. I'll also brainstorm with others, to find just the right phrasing.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.


(in reply to Edder)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:28:41 PM   
kdsub


Posts: 12180
Joined: 8/16/2007
Status: offline 		Rather then think of a poem…think of a situation in your life or your friends that could deserve a poem. Then with the idea in mind convert your feelings into words.

Also buy a good hand held recorder. I can’t tell you how many thoughts and the flow of words that were lost in typing and spelling…lol . It is a lot easier to speak your mind then later record it in print.

Ps… take a long hike or walk

Butch

_____________________________

Mark Twain:

I don't see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome; variety is pleasing

(in reply to Edder)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:31:06 PM   
TimeLimited


Posts: 1095
Joined: 7/4/2012
Status: offline 		Depending on deadlines, I go take a nap, have something to eat ... find something else to do to change my thought processes.

(in reply to kdsub)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:37:21 PM   
ChatteParfaitt


Posts: 6562
Joined: 3/22/2011
From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
Status: offline 		I used to have a great fear of writer's block; there is nothing so intimidating as a blank piece of paper when you have the time and energy to write, and nothing is forthcoming.

Now, I trust my mind. When it's time, I'll write. I occupy my mind with other things and let my subconscious 'simmer.' When it comes to a full boil, words flow like magic.

Having a study assignment to write gives you a built in deadline - you have to write or else. So you write, knowing you are most likely not doing your best work, but so what? It's an assignment to write a poem, not Shakespeare's sonnets.

< Message edited by ChatteParfaitt -- 11/24/2012 12:51:58 PM >

_____________________________



(in reply to Edder)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:44:28 PM   
stellauk


Posts: 1360
Status: offline 		1. Go out and meet people.

2. Do some menial task or chore.

3. Take up some physical exercise.

4. Sleep.

Whatever you do don't sit in front of a blank computer screen or piece of paper. But any of the four above should lead to some sort of inspiration.

Writing is just the mechanics, 80% of creative writing is thinking and developing ideas.

_____________________________

Usually when you have all the answers for something nobody is interested in listening.

(in reply to Edder)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:52:58 PM   
ARIES83


Posts: 3648
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub
Also buy a good hand held recorder. I can’t tell you how many thoughts and the flow of words that were lost in typing and spelling…lol . It is a lot easier to speak your mind then later record it in print.

Ps… take a long hike or walk


I second the recorder idea but when I was doing
that I found that ideas hit me at strange times
and I didn't want to lose them.
With writers block...

I find it's about motivation, when i'm not in the
right zone I dont get ideas, when I get in to the
zone I'm loving life.

Although I've never written a poem...
I might start with making a list of words that
rhyme...?

Like a poem about cows, cows eat grass...
Grass, pass, ass, glass.
Cows give milk...
Milk, silk, ilk.
Cows say moo.
Moo, shoe, chew, stew, poo.

I'm prettw sure I could make a funny poem
about cows now haha!

Good luck,
-Aries

_____________________________

530 DAYS

(in reply to kdsub)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 12:58:04 PM   
Kana


Posts: 6676
Joined: 10/24/2006
Status: offline 		Just start free form writing. Best way to get the creative writing juices flowing for poetry.
Or start writing about not being able to write-always a good theme for a poem.

The paper is blank
lacking words most dank
my muse has gone awol
will not answer the call
the time is crawling
My grades are falling
and the paper remains blank



_____________________________

"One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die. "
HST

(in reply to stellauk)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 1:33:44 PM   
MaleProperty0


Posts: 2
Joined: 10/20/2011
Status: offline 		iMasturbate

(in reply to Kana)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 1:39:41 PM   
AthenaSurrenders


Posts: 3582
Joined: 3/15/2012
Status: offline 		I usually find it's a discipline thing with me. I always have some sort of idea knocking about. Hell, I have folders and drawers full of bits of ideas jotted down here and there. Usually when I examine my writer's block it turns out I'm actually being lazy or distracted. If I sit down and force myself to write (all sorts of programmes you can install to help resist the temptation to surf the net) then I will get into the swing of it. The first chunk of text might not be worth keeping but once I get in the flow it's all good.

Generally if I make myself write for 20 minutes and after that time, I'm still feeling dry and uninspired, I go and do something else.

Have you been given a specific topic to write about?

If I'm really really stuck, I sometimes find it helpful to do some sort of improv style games with myself. Write down as many different words for how a person can walk (stride, shuffle etc). Open the dictionary at random and write three sentences using the first word on the page. Take an obituary from the paper and write down what you image that person looked like. Make a list of blue things. Ask and answer 'what if' questions - the more bizarre the better. What if I shrunk down to the size of a dust mite and got lost in the living room carpet? What if I dated a celebrity chef but all her cooking was rubbish? Lists are good - your top 10 embarrassing moments, your first 5 crushes, the ten places you'd like to visit, the songs they will play at your funeral. Take some existing piece of text and re-write it. Make song-lyrics into a news article. Write a sonnet inspired by a recipe for soup.

If none of that sparks something in the corner of your brain, I guess you're stuck.

_____________________________

Being your slave, what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire?

(in reply to Kana)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: How do you deal with Writer's Block? - 11/24/2012 2:41:02 PM   
RemoteUser


Posts: 2854
Joined: 5/10/2011
Status: offline 		I switch to something else, or push myself, or redirect the flow by writing about something else to better get into the process.

What inspires you?

_____________________________

There is nothing worse than being right. Instead of being right, then, try to be open. It is more difficult, and more rewarding.


(in reply to AthenaSurrenders)
Profile   Post #: 11
Page:   [1]
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> How do you deal with Writer's Block? Page: [1]
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.094