Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Part Two:


I’m continuing today on what I consider to be a topic of utmost importance to writers.

Writing exercises can stimulate us mentally in our efforts to cope with writer’s block. I’m offering some suggestions that may prove helpful.

Memory writing is a useful resource. You don't have to be famous to write an autobiography. However, many well-known writers have used memories effectively in their writing. Some examples are:

JAMES JOYCE--A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN

TRUMAN CAPOTE--A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

EUGENE O'NEILL--LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT

Here's a writing exercise guaranteed to produce results:

WRITE THE FOLLOWING:

1.  YOUR FIRST MEMORY.

2.  YOUR BEST MEMORY OR A GOOD MEMORY.

3.  YOUR WORST MEMORY OR A BAD MEMORY.

DESCRIBE IN DETAIL.  TRY TO RECREATE EACH MEMORY SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE CAN EXPERIENCE IT.

Another suggestion: keep a journal or diary. This kind of writing provides a sense of immediacy. We can capture feelings and impressions that might otherwise be lost. This can serve as excellent material for future work.

 From Biblical times, dreams have been thought to be prophetic. Freud certainly found much to analyze. Keep a notebook and pen beside your bed. When waking after a particularly vivid dream, describe it in as much detail as possible.

 There's an old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. A good picture is worth at least that and probably a lot more. Inspiration for writers can come not only from reading newspaper and magazine articles but also from looking at the photos. Interesting photographs are all around us and are worth saving as a resource.


There are many ways to improve your skill or writing technique. If, for instance, you have trouble creating good descriptive passages, try doing some sense imagery exercises.

            (a) Select a piece of fruit like a lemon or orange. Describe in writing what it looks like: color, shape, etc. Hold it in your hand. Describe the feel or texture of the fruit. Cut the fruit in half.  Now describe the smell and taste.

(b) Music and sound can create mood and stimulate writing. Try writing stream-of-consciousness technique while listening to music. Play three different types of instrumental music for at least ten minutes. Pause between each. Possible musical choices:  classical, jazz, rock.

Whenever possible, read magazine and newspaper articles and clip those you find of particular interest. You can obtain many ideas and inspiration for your own writing from them. Local weeklies are throwaways used to push advertising. However, they also report local news. Sometimes these journalistic article can spark fiction ideas. For instance, a political fight between the police chief and the mayor of the town I lived in for many years which got out of hand made a fascinating backdrop for my mystery novel THE BAD WIFE. Of course, I fictionalized it.

                                             http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J6PCKVW

Be curious, interested in the world around you, and you can't help but find inspiration and new ideas for your writing. Writer’s block is only temporary. Most important, never give up, not if writing is what you really want to do. Publishing success will come if you keep perfecting your craft.

Comments welcome!


Thursday, March 5, 2015

How to Overcome Writer’s Block



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 inspires writing.

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!