Holy shit I am stumbling today. I have started this first sentence over and over and over again, which leads me to a question...
Is it better to forgo posting all together when you're having a bout of writers block or is it best to just get something, anything, out there no matter what?
I definitely come from the school of free form writing. It's my favorite technique and it works 99% of the time, but there are those days when even that doesn't cut it. What is free form? To me it's when I start to write about absolutely nothing and edit free. I don't allow myself to go back and fix typos or commas, etc, until I've run out of things to say. Then, as if out of nowhere, a theme starts to appear and Voila!, I've got myself a post. Actually, some of my favorite posts were written this way.
Then there's days like today, where I've got nothin. Well, I have something, it's just about how I have nothing. I think a blogger can only write about writer's block so many times though, before it starts to grate on the reader. Every writer goes through it after all. It's like if your back hurts and someone else's back hurts too but they just keep talking and talking and talking about it until you want to say, "You know what? Mine does too, but you don't hear me bitchin' about it! Take an aspirin and shut up!"
OK, that might be a little harsh, but you get my meaning.
I also know about the trick of writing posts ahead of time so on those days you've got that-not-so-fresh feeling, there's still something to publish. However, one of my oddities is how much I dislike old news. I can't even read yesterday's paper because I know it's...well...yesterday's news. I know, there are universal themes I could talk about that are good any day of the week, but I just prefer to be in the now.
So, you there, what's your trick for fighting writers block? How about the question up there? Do you just post anyway or save it for another day? What motivates you most?
I look forward to hearing your two cents on the subject. Truly I do!
Is it better to forgo posting all together when you're having a bout of writers block or is it best to just get something, anything, out there no matter what?
I definitely come from the school of free form writing. It's my favorite technique and it works 99% of the time, but there are those days when even that doesn't cut it. What is free form? To me it's when I start to write about absolutely nothing and edit free. I don't allow myself to go back and fix typos or commas, etc, until I've run out of things to say. Then, as if out of nowhere, a theme starts to appear and Voila!, I've got myself a post. Actually, some of my favorite posts were written this way.
Then there's days like today, where I've got nothin. Well, I have something, it's just about how I have nothing. I think a blogger can only write about writer's block so many times though, before it starts to grate on the reader. Every writer goes through it after all. It's like if your back hurts and someone else's back hurts too but they just keep talking and talking and talking about it until you want to say, "You know what? Mine does too, but you don't hear me bitchin' about it! Take an aspirin and shut up!"
OK, that might be a little harsh, but you get my meaning.
I also know about the trick of writing posts ahead of time so on those days you've got that-not-so-fresh feeling, there's still something to publish. However, one of my oddities is how much I dislike old news. I can't even read yesterday's paper because I know it's...well...yesterday's news. I know, there are universal themes I could talk about that are good any day of the week, but I just prefer to be in the now.
So, you there, what's your trick for fighting writers block? How about the question up there? Do you just post anyway or save it for another day? What motivates you most?
I look forward to hearing your two cents on the subject. Truly I do!
It would appear my method is taking a month off from the internet and its pressure.
So far? Working brilliantly.
I'm glad it's working out! For me though, taking a break from the internets just isn't an option. I love them too much. You might call it, my life blood. Well that and coffee. Ha!
Twas mine too!
And it will be a-gain in 2 weeks.
Hey, Todd, is this why you chose to take a break? I miss seeing your photos. I totally get the whole artist's/writer's block all too well, but hadn't seen any signs in it coming. I look forward to your return to public display of your shots.
Hey, Todd, is this why you chose to take a break? I miss seeing your photos. I totally get the whole artist's/writer's block all too well, but hadn't seen any signs in it coming. I look forward to your return to public display of your shots.
Twas mine too!
And it will be a-gain in 2 weeks.
I'm glad it's working out! For me though, taking a break from the internets just isn't an option. I love them too much. You might call it, my life blood. Well that and coffee. Ha!
Hmmm. I guess I write about my kid's snot when I can't think of anything else. I am nothing, if not a deep and thoughtful writer.
I've always been a tad jealous of your ability to find a story though. I guess when you have someone like the torturer in your life, the stories just keep comin! :D
I've always been a tad jealous of your ability to find a story though. I guess when you have someone like the torturer in your life, the stories just keep comin! :D
I just don't write. And sometimes that leads to weeks of nothing. I'm not a deep thinker, I don't consider myself very creative. I see my blogging as venting. And sometimes I just don't have anything to vent.
I think you're very wrong. You're absolutely a creative thinker. Your posts are always interesting and well written. You definitely should give yourself a much bigger pat on the back!
I think you're very wrong. You're absolutely a creative thinker. Your posts are always interesting and well written. You definitely should give yourself a much bigger pat on the back!
twentyfouratheart, you can never go wrong with snot.
ry, once again, putting to much pressure on yourself. even when you think you have nothing you are entertaining to read.
relax babe
I have a bunch of "notes" that I hope will eventually develop into actually posts I can publish, that I refer to when writer block's strikes.
Otherwise, I go look for inspiration: and unlike some, my Muse can be kind of a bitch, she doesn't just come when I need her, I need to go after her with a butterfly net... or a baseball bat.
So I read, because reading a good book (or sometimes, a good blog) always makes me think and hopefully that develops into something I can write. Or I take a walk - sometimes just getting some space helps you stress less and gets your creative juices flowing, so to speak. Or something.
And now I sound like an ass. Oh well, can't have everything ;-)
Sigh, I always intend to write notes and then I completely space out and forget. I really need to just get a huge set of post its so I both can not forget to write ideas down and also can't miss them when I tack them up. :D
Reading definitely helps me too. Books and other bloggers. Great tips Elisa!
Sigh, I always intend to write notes and then I completely space out and forget. I really need to just get a huge set of post its so I both can not forget to write ideas down and also can't miss them when I tack them up. :D
Reading definitely helps me too. Books and other bloggers. Great tips Elisa!
My trick is to get out and do something. If I'm actually out there in the world experiencing stuff, I almost always find writing fodder.
And since I've basically been in bed since Sunday? That would explain why I can't think of a thing to blog.
Hmmmm.... :)
I think what may be going on for you is simple overload. It's not like you haven't been able to produce, you've been writing non-stop while in the process of birthing a new avenue of work. It may not be the same level of creativity that you expect of yourself, but you *are following the basic rule of "write every day", in the extreme. And juggling a crazy schedule at the same time. So, just take a breath and know that it's scheduling more than anything else.