Writer’s Block: Is there Quick Fix

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   Jacqueline4390posted 10 years ago

   I will admit that when it comes down to thinking up ideas; it happens most when I am driving in my car or just before dozing off. But when I need to complete two novels that I have been working on—my well seems to be running dry. I don’t know if it’s my focus is only short term or I’ve got too much on my mind. I miss my best buddy who used to “prod me” and get me going.
   
   So, what do I need to do to get back on track?

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      Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, by the way ... I am GREAT at asking questions :-)

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         missiruppposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I always get a boost when I talk to other writers. They understand when I'm not sure where to take my writing and usually give me a suggestion in another direction. I also enjoy learning about their writing processes and ideas.

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            Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            That sounds great ... I need to find me a group of writer that don't mind a virtual "tag along," I miss my old writing groups on Eons. We have great fun!

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      OldRosesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I find researching and writing about something completely different works for me.  My mind is still mulling over the piece that I'm stuck on while I work on something else, then POOF!  The dam breaks and I'm off and running on the piece that I was stuck on.  Be patient with yourself.  You may have been pushing too hard and need a week or two off to do other things.

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         Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, I really appreciate that insight. I think I have been pushing myself a bit too hard lately. I have so much I want to write until my head wants to explode. Then I sit down in front of the computer and all of a sudden I feel so tired and blank.

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   paradigmsearchposted 10 years ago

   Skydiving might clear the mind...

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      Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think that would work for me :-)

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         paradigmsearchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Maybe something else that causes a person's thoughts to scatter into the winds and causes one to live in the immediate now for awhile; bungee jumping, roller coaster ride, or some such.

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            Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Something physical as a diversion, you think? I have been spending too much time in front of the computers!

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   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   freewriting and mind mapping work for me.  Write whatever is on your mind - even if it's about not knowing what to write.  set a timer and write non-stop for the specified time and you will find ideas start flowing.  Another idea is to just come up with a broad topic then mind map it - that will help you break it down into narrower subjects better suited for hubs etc.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, that is another good idea!

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   LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

   I don't carry one of those little hand recorders that people use to make notes to themselves.  I don't always have a pad near my coffee table, but have one on my desk.  I freewrite as well. When I read various articles, I may get an idea or two, maybe I find something that was not covered in the article, or a light bulb goes off because the article I read reminds me of something even though it has nothing to do with what I read.  If I kept a pad on my coffee table, commercials are great for ideas, as well as what a TV show may be about.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Commercials ... Now that is a thought.

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   psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

   Novels are always easier to start than to finish, for me at least.  If I have the plot planned out it is just a matter of BISFIK (bum on seat, fingers on keyboard).

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      Lionrhodposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree with this. I've got a few dozen novels in progress. Eventually I'm working on them, but it takes time, concentration and sticking to it.
      
      I don't really get writer's block. If anything, I have a surplus of ideas and the biggest challenge is what to work on first.
      
      I usually find that I get a boost from reading writer's magazines (such as The Writer and Writer's Digest) or books about writing.

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   derekchristieposted 10 years ago

   Before i put pen to paper,i know the ending and tend to work backwards(so to speak),thus the beginning and the middle are the the most difficult as many here know well,to intrigue and draw interest throughout the novel,smoking a pipe and numerous  cups of tea i find aids the concentration,preventing that dreaded "full stop"...In your case i think the pipe smoking could be "out of bounds".....Good Luck.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      How right you are, the pipe smoking is definitely "out of bounds." But I understand what you mean. I rarely have a block. At least it has been years actually, so this is why I am having a bit of a time with it. But a lot of things have been on my mind lately and I am having a very hard time shaking it. Rather personal issues. But I really need to write because once I get started "its a go."

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         derekchristieposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         The constraints of "life"issues in general are what restricts our resolve to commitment,if it were not so,we would be rebotic,devoid of feeling...My Father knew Brendan Behen well,competent enough to ask him,"Why do you drink so much" he replied,"It eases off the pain a bit and levels out the thinking". Behen whose personal life with friends,family and intimates played out with all the ingredients of a Greek Tragedy, such was his dedication to his work but i wonder was "drink"the problem or the "prop"to overcome his frustration of unreasonable behaviour towards friends etc.or possibly fear of inability to continue in the same vein....No matter his last words before  death ,drunk in the gutter in Dublin to a passer-bye who went to his assistance in which he sat up and said "I have seen the gates of hell" ,dying seconds later......Did he mean the life he led,who knows ...Good Luck.

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            Jacqueline4390posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks, may I also say that you write very well. Your comment really held my interest. Are you professional?

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               derekchristieposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               More of a "ghost"particulary in the fug of pipe smoke,correcting thesis,tenders, in short making the"read"interesting and not "run of the mill"(very boring work),i don't type ,spellcheck(as can be seen),long hand writing erratically as i'm always 5-6 words ahead of my writing ability,i find the use of a minature recorder handy lest the "moment"is lost and much time wasted in efforts to  recall. I have always left typing to others ,spell checking from a dictionary before print, Now i have  dragged myself into this "information highway",a novice in every sense,keyboard,formatting etc....if i have a  "failing"in in this new found technology it would be to my "short sightedness "to recognise when submit is clicked "its gone"never to be retrieved or corrected, Any novel's i have written languish in a drawer which when time permits will be published hopefully in the not too distant future..Good Luck.

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   Kylyssaposted 10 years ago

   When I have trouble writing what I'm supposed to be writing I write something else for a few minutes or hours.  It has almost always worked for me, except for that one time I took a gig I shouldn't have that required me to write something I found personally objectionable.  That required sitting in my office chair, twisting around a lot in my seat, sweating, biting my lip, and, ultimately, just doing it and saving the nightmares and revulsion for when my eyes were closed and the gig was done. 
   
   My fiction writing is my pleasure writing so that just pours out, usually when I'm supposed to be writing something else.

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