Writer's block

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   Richawriterposted 10 years ago

   Heya, all.
   
   I write for several customers online and have been doing so for almost a year now. However, recently, I have suffered from some terrible bouts of writer's block and it seems that no matter what I try, I can neither write as well nor as much as I once did.
   
   I write fiction and at one point I was able to get at least 50,000 words done in a month. The last couple of months though that number has dropped drastically to between 10,000 - 20,000.
   
   Does anyone else suffer from this problem and what do you do about it?
   
   I'd really appreciate it if you could share your techniques for overcoming writer's block.
   
   Thanks.
   
   Richard

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   1. 85

      lovebuglenaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      One of the things that you can do that works well is to pick a prompt - a phrase, a question, an image, etc. - set a timer, for say ten minutes, and just write without worrying about grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. You will find yourself passionate and very energized and your writing will reflect that. From there you can go ahead and expand on what you've just written... The prompt you pick can be anything, not necessarily something relating to your story, but maybe choosing something related to your story will work better for you. No matter the prompt, the key here is writing under pressure (hence the use of the timer). It is this that  brings out the best ideas and the most connected writing that will speak to you and hence your readers.

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      1. 85

         Richawriterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Ah yes, the timer is the key here.
         
         I've heard about prompts but not with a timer.
         
         I'll give this a shot as I think it's definitely a good idea to write something every single day as it builds the habit. This is a great way to get started with that.
         
         Thanks again lovebuglena, you are most helpful!
         
         Richard

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         1. 88

            Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Hey Richie, my man. I missed you!
            
            I have had that happen to me several times and guess what it was...Burn Out,
            
            Writers tend to become burn out and think that they have writers block. I had it terrible about a month ago and had to cancel several jobs.
            
            I took some well needed rest, relaxed and just did whatever I wanted, which was basically nothing and gradually I started writing again. If you can write 10,000 - 20,000 words at all you do not have writers block.

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            1. 85

               Richawriterposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Hey Cardisa my old friend!
               
               I've missed you too and it's nice to see you are still active on here. You have always been in my thoughts on the occasions when I did pop over here briefly.
               
               I'm now pleased to say that I'm back again. My hubs are doing quite well, at least the ones I took the most time to create are, anyway!
               
               Yes, I think you could be right there. It is more than likely burn out that I've been suffering from as I have attempted to juggle numerous projects as well as care for my little boy.
               
               I see your point that it isn't writer's block if I manage between 10,000 and 20,000 per month but the problem is that even though I have managed that, I still felt afterwards that I was missing something. The work didn't seem like something I would do. It missed that spark I usually have.
               
               So I guess burn out is.
               
               Thanks Cardisa. I'm looking forward to rekindling our friendship over here.
               
               See you soon!
               
               Rich

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               1. 88

                  Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I hope to see you more often because I still am following you, never stopped...lol
                  
                  You have a little boy?That's so cute! Share a pic please

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