Writer’s Block
Every once in a while, I seem to hit an episode of writer’s block. I’m not quite sure what causes it. It could be the fact that I’m going through something, or that I just plain am bored with the internet. I agree with Ranjani.
Anthony: ok. Discuss: writers block.
Ranjani: a PITA
Whatever the cause, writer’s block sucks. I’ll be going along, writing, and then BAM. Out of nowhere, one of two things comes to be a grim reality.
Infinite Drafts
This is the killer. I’ll be writing, and won’t focus on getting one post done before I can move onto the next idea I’ve had. Utter chaos usually ensues. I’ll go back a few days later and wonder why I didn’t finish the post, or why it’s written like utter crap. Then, I’ll simply wander off, writing more and more drafts and letting the same thing happen.
The Polar Opposite
Then, of course, sometimes something different happens: I don’t write. The abundant flow of drafts, and even ideas just stop. Nothing goes in, nothing comes out. Usually, this happens when I get really busy with something. In most cases, it’s something extremely time-consuming such as school or sports.
The Solution
When something like this happens, I like to get away from it all. I get as far away from the computer as possible. I go to the movies with my friends or just do anything else but sit in front of my monitor or laptop. I had a really good english teacher who wouldn’t assign that much homework, even to the honors classes. She said that inspiration isn’t sitting and writing endless essays, it’s having fun. You’re not going to get anywhere if you write essay after essay. Inspiration is learned by doing something different, and not just the same thing over and over again.
So here’s my question to you. How do you guys find inspiration? How do you break writers block?
Comments
Ranjani had a thought ¬
I’ve been trying to take breaks in my writing. Usually, I can only write about something when it’s fresh in my mind; but recently, I’ve had to let things simmer. Take my novel for example: I got a paragraph or two done, and I’ve been trying to perfect a scene in my head before I can write it down. I think I almost have it done, but something about it doesn’t feel quite perfected enough. Until I get that, it will be had to craft something good.
For my site, I really just start by writing my opinion, which is usually very pointed. I try to find at least one source that agrees with me so that I can spring off of some of their points to create a plan for my argument (which is usually what my article are). Sources are great for inspiration, and they add some definition to your writing. Suddenly, it’s not just your opinion; it’s actually an accepted point-of-view.
For normal articles, I usually have drafts (really just notes for articles) with a tagline (which I tweaked Movable Type for), and a few links or a few sentences about what I want to write about. Often, I’ll have deleted most of the links and most of the sentences by the time I begin to actually write the article.
It’s all really a matter of waiting for me, I suppose. And I always go back and edit my work later, even months after I originally wrote something. But I’m a perfectionist, what can I say?
⇒ May 27, 2007, 11:38 am
Kevin Sylvia had a thought ¬
pr0n. I jest, surely. I pretty much have the same approach, just leave the computer behind for a little while. Working in a high traffic restaraunt is interesting to, gives me a lot to write about, though most of the stories never see the light of day.
⇒ May 28, 2007, 10:54 am