unblocking the deadening block - Writers Forum

kerpoe · 12-28-2004, 03:09 AM

I have a severe case of writer's block I cannot think of anything to write about does anyone have any advice on how to overcome writer's block?

Please any advice is wanted...ANY!

KERpoe

Nazareth · 12-28-2004, 01:33 PM

Start with a villian- Develope that villian- show their fears, show their strengths- show the desires- What would this villian try to do or prevent? an example question might be: Are they trying to ruin a company? Why? Were they belittled by the boss? were they passed over for promotion? Was the villian after the boss for a date & got shot down?

Now develope a story around this. How will the villian go about getting their revenge? Are they partially insane? Do they have delusional thoughts? Suppose the villian thinks that if he can ruin the business then he could have his boss all to himself because she wouldn't be burdened with the business any more & could devote time excluseively to him.

Come up with a hero- someone who finds out that funds are dissappearing, who will track down the reason, and who will suspect the villian- Show how they will be drawn into a war with the villian that they never intended- show how they are unprepared to deal with this- then at the end, show how they summon up the courage to face the villian and save the company- You could even show the hero falling in love with the boss & show the resentment and danger he puts himself in because the villian finds out about the affair.

I dunno- what do you want to write about? What genra? I think once you start comming up with possible plots, the process will kick start itself for you. If you like what I wrote above, feel free to use it/expand on it- if not- tell us more what you'd like to write about- maybe we can come up with a simple plot/conflict for you to expand on

Ralizah · 12-28-2004, 01:42 PM

Writer's block is only a popular rumor, but people all over treat it as if it was something supernatural. In essence, writer's block is just an excuse for a lack of inspiration or planning. Inspiration, when you can't think of anything new, ands planning, when the 'block' hits you in the progress of a project. Sometimes a lack of inspiration is apparent even in well-planned projects. Let me ask you this: If you aren't excited about writing something, what makes you think readers will be excited reading it. And if you can't think of anything new at all, shouldn't you be searching for some kind of inspiration?

How you search for it is your own, but you must find it if you want to enjoy anything you write.

CometCatcher · 12-28-2004, 02:12 PM

If you can't write, then you shouldn't. You could try writing about your writer's block, but it's been done before

kerpoe · 12-28-2004, 02:28 PM

I like to write depressing stories with lots of internal conflict written in first person...I also love to write about the open road

And yes Ralizah my 'block' is a lack of inspiration I just need to know how to find it

KERpoe

thank you

Nazareth · 12-28-2004, 02:54 PM

Man goes through bitter divorce, takes to the road trying to find better life- At first he loves the open road, but as time goes on runs into problem after problem until he's homeless- he hits rock bottom and wants to commit suicide because he thinks he is a loser- then he runs into a homeless couple who need help fighting to get their house back- It just so happens he is an expert in legal proceedures and can help them , but he doubts he has the ability & thinks that everything he attempts just ends up in the crapper. The people that have taken the couple's home are vicious & learn that he has been snooping around and asking questions- they hire local thugs to intimidate him, only they go too far and he almost dies- after he recovers, he decides once and for all that he won't let anyone stop him from pursuing the case- he starts to clean himself up, get sober, and put his affairs in order- and can either get the house back, or fail, but be appreciated for his efforts or whatever ending ya want.

The majority of the story can revolve around what it's like to be homeless and the dangers and depression they face & how it really takes it's toll on a body- You can show him being hoplessly drunk (Or addicted to drugs) in the courtroom and show how the judge doesn't beleive his story about the thugs- this will free them and make life miserable for him as they relentlessly persue him through the underworld of the homeless

I dunno- that's a perty depressing story lol

kerpoe · 12-28-2004, 04:32 PM

WOW thanks! I don't want to bard your story though...but I get ideas from that...I should probably also try and become inspired though find something that I enjoy (besides writing)

Thank you alot nazareth!

KERpoe

swing_it_away · 12-28-2004, 05:33 PM

Read and rip off other peoples work (just, you know, don't say that's it not a rip off), eventually, it'll give you an idea for your own, or you'll come up with a really good line, or something that'll get you started again.

There's also a movie/book plot encyclopedia out there, it's a huge multi-volumed thing designed to help get rid of writer's block. I can't remember what it's called, but they probably have a copy at a library.

Nazareth · 12-28-2004, 05:56 PM

Kerpoe- please feel free to use that idea or even parts if it inspires ya- no worries

kerpoe · 12-28-2004, 06:17 PM

Well I have one that I think will work it is roufghly based on Nazareth's idea, but I use a sort of Scrooge-Tiny Tim interdependency idea.

Thank You for your support everyone and hopefully soon I will be able to completely overcome it!

KERpoe

Ilan Bouchard · 12-28-2004, 07:46 PM

Usually when I get writer's block it's because I've fallen into a routine that never changes. When that happens I go out and do something I haven't done in a while, like see a friend that lives far away, or just try new stuff.

Another thing that prevents me from writing is a lack of energy.

Anyways, I suppose another way to battle "writer's block" is to do some self-reflecting. You can write about some experience you've had, or something. One thing I do to help is describe a character, basing it off myself or someone I know. I take liberties with it, sometimes I'll describe a waiter I've that that I really don't know, but I make assumptions and create a character from it. Sometimes I use the character, sometimes not.

kerpoe · 12-28-2004, 07:56 PM

Okay that seems helpful thank you I'll try that!

KERpoe

lisajane · 12-29-2004, 12:18 AM

I get myself into a block quite often. Usually occurs with my novel. The ideas are all in my head, except I just can't seem to write them down the way I want.

I usually write streams of short stories and poetry then, to take all the other little ideas in my head and get them down into something substanial.

If ideas fail me, I listen to music I like and write down what I see inside my head while listening to it. I usually get a story out of that (that's where the majority of my short stories come from).

Jeffords · 12-30-2004, 02:41 AM

I find that the best solutions for writer's block often involve putting distance between you and your story. A good nap, a car ride, anything that allows your mind the remove its attachment to your story should break that pesky writer's block.

My best writing is done when I take a break for a few days and jump back in with a fresh mind.