Part One:
As a writer, there are times when my creativity freezes. Writer’s block is something most authors face at one
time or another. We lose that sense of purpose or inspiration. Sometimes it happens
while we’re working on a story, article or books. It’s happened to me when I got
discouraged collecting rejection slips—a fate common to most writers. There are
many ways to get back on track. Here are some suggestions that have worked for
me at one time or other in coping with lack of inspiration:
Select a set time for writing each day. (I prefer the early
morning.) Try to choose a time when you are least likely to suffer
interruptions.
Practice meditation. It both calms and stimulates mental
function.
When you are feeling discouraged or unproductive, get away
from the computer and go for a walk. If it’s too cold or nasty outside, use a
treadmill or drive over to a mall and walk around inside.
Visit a bookstore and browse. Buy a book that you’d like to
read.
Or:
Visit a library and browse. Borrow a book that looks
interesting.
If you’re a fiction writer, read some nonfiction: books,
magazines and newspapers, in print or online. If you’re a nonfiction writer,
pick up a novel to read. Try to read something you wouldn’t ordinary peruse.
Broaden your horizons. Reading
Communicate with other people. Talk to friends and family. Take
an interest in their lives.
Listen in on
conversations you overhear in restaurants and at gatherings.
Visit a museum. Study the displays. Take notes on those
things that interest you.
Go to an art gallery and study the paintings for
inspiration. Put yourself into an
interesting painting. Who are you? Where
are you? What are you doing?
Take a trip somewhere you’ve never been before. Get out of
your comfort zone and predictable life style. Visit a different city or a
different country. Plan a vacation. The stimulation of meeting unfamiliar
people and seeing different places can inspire new thoughts and ideas.
Finally, we come full circle. Help can be found on the
internet as well. For example, check out
this essay on the different techniques employed by successful, famous authors
to stimulate their writing:
Comments welcome here!
Good suggestions! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Elizabeth. I hope these ideas prove useful.
DeleteWhat a fabulous list of suggestions, Jacqueline! I never thought of half of these. I rarely, rarely have writer's block. Usually I can think of something using the "what if?" technique. Or "what could happen next?" Sometimes I write down all the possibilities, then pick one and go. But I'm keeping some of these ideas in mind just for fun, like visiting a museum.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jan,
DeleteYou have some good suggestions. Thanks for offering them.
Great suggestions, Jacquie. I suffered from writer's block for two or three years. I tried to push my way through it anyway, and more or less did, but it magically melted away when I went to California for Christmas. Go figure. Maybe getting away from it all really does work.
ReplyDeleteA change of scene really does help!
DeleteGreat tips, as always!
ReplyDeleteHi, D'Ann,
DeleteI know you don't have a problem with this, but thanks for dropping by.
Very good suggestions. As much as I dislike malls, I like to find a place to sit and watch people walking by.
ReplyDeleteMalls are great for walking in when the weather is cold outside.
DeleteExcellent suggestions, Jacquie. Especially the one about getting away from one's comfort zone--and to experience something new. I just finished and sent off a mss, so I'm feeling ad odds myself at this moment.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing yet another book!
Wonderful post! I don't really get writers' block, but I get bogged down in my reading and need something different sometimes. I like to read biographies for non-fiction, but also used to "cleanse my palate" of mysteries occasionally with Maeve Binchy. I miss her a lot! (I think you're lucky if you still have an indoor mall--so many are being torn down.)
ReplyDeleteHi, Kaye,
ReplyDeleteYes, I was a fan of Maeve Binchy as well. We still have indoor malls but fewer people than ever are frequenting them--bookstores included. People are buying online more than ever.
Wonderful suggestions. I have experienced it after several deaths in the family during this past year and have used that time to review old manuscripts and consider reprints.
ReplyDeleteHi, Betty,
DeleteLosing family members is very depressing and discouraging. It's good though that you reviewed old manuscripts and considered reprints.
I'm with Betty [above] on this one. It's not so much writers' block, as writers 'can't be bothered,' after a death.
ReplyDeleteThat said, useful advice indeed. I'll return to my old [good] habits after the funeral. I'm getting much better at 'blocking' things out and narrowing my focus on the task at hand.
Hi, Madeline,
DeleteI have found after deaths in the family that forcing myself to do something creative helped emotionally.
Good advice, Jacqueline. I've been practicing transendental meditation (TM) for nearly 40 years and it does help tremendously. And daily writing helped me survive my daughter's death from cancer seven years ago. I'm a former news reporter so reading newspapers, magazines and listening to broadcast TV has provided fodder for some of my books. I've rarely suffered from writer's block because of my journalism training. Reporters have to sit down and write, no matter what, or they lose their jobs.
ReplyDeleteJean, thank you for your excellent input. Your comment about journalism training is significant. The difference between successful writers and those that aren't is often a matter of self-discipline. Simply put, writers need to write, whether they are in the mood to do so or not. That's why setting aside a time each day to work in necessary.
DeleteI like the idea of putting myself into a painting. I've never thought of doing that before. For a while, I worked for a blog network and had to come up with a post five days a week. I sometimes wish I could apply that experience to my short story writing. My biggest struggle is the decision-making process; which type of story to work on.
ReplyDeleteBobbi,
DeleteWhen I taught creative writing, I would bring a canvas to class (not one of my own paintings). It would be an interesting scene and I would ask the students to put themselves into the painting and describe who they were and what they were doing. It was fun and also encouraged some very creative responses.
Excellent suggestions. It's usually the middle section of my story where I get stuck. I hike regularly and return home feeling inspired and energized.
ReplyDeleteMid-section sag is a real problem with novels. I do think taking a hike, getting energized, helps a lot with writing--gets blood circulating through the grey matter.
DeleteGood advice, as usual. I like listening in on others' conversations--works every time! Or, as Faulkner said, "Lower your standards and keep writing."
ReplyDeleteThat's just what Faulkner did all right! And it made him successful.
DeleteGreat post, Jacqueline. Whilst I don't (as yet!) suffer from writer's block, there are times when my mojo isn't as strong as I'd like it to be. These are great suggestions for reviving said mojo.
ReplyDeleteLiving in the west of Scotland means we have days when walking outside is not an option - a shopping mall would be the answer. Lots of conversations to eavesdrop on there too!
Hi, Joan,
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Scotland. I believe we Americans romanticize your country quite a bit. My historical romance THE CHEVALIER is set in Scotland in the Georgian period and I researched much about Bonnie Prince Charlie and that colorful period of history.
This is good topic. Right now, I'm rereading King's BAG OF BONES--and the real horror isn't what's at the lake, but Noonan's writer's block. I noticed that the fictional writer didn't try a lot of things that others do; retype old manuscripts, try dictation or writing by hand, doing the Writer's Journey 13 week boot camp with Morning Pages, or even American Sign Language. I am also surprised that Noonan didn't have a notebook full of future ideas, or what I call a Plot Bunny Farm. He could have tried writing fanfiction, which existed at the time, or reread some of his old books to see if some of the old characters had something to say about what happened after The End.
ReplyDeleteBut this was, after all...a horror story.
Hi, Jean,
ReplyDeleteYou offer many good suggestions that would help a blocked author. I like the idea of revisiting old manuscripts. Those that weren't published may be improved on second sight. Also, nothing wrong with revamping the backlist.
All very useful suggestions here. Nothing helps me rev the engines like reading something I normally wouldn't look at.
ReplyDeleteBy which I mean, a genre I normally wouldn't read.
DeleteHi, Mike,
DeleteI'm with you on that. I write a little sci-fi and what inspires my stories in that area are reading true science articles.
I have read your whole article and I must say that your writing style is really impressive. I think no buddy can leave your content in mid before reading the whole story. Online Electronics Store
ReplyDelete