Writers Block!!! - Page 2 - Writers Forum

MetalDog · 04-15-2005, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northerain

When typing fast, you misstype alot, and before you think, you're deleting and retyping it. It breaks up the flow.

You can get around that by touchtyping without looking at the screen. You'll still know when you've fluffed something, but it's much easier to ignore that way.

The old 'stream of consciousness' trick never works for me, but a lot of people swear by it.

northerain · 04-15-2005, 06:33 AM

True dat metaldog...But I cant type like that

Besides, pencil on papers is by far the best way to write. More personal.

MetalDog · 04-15-2005, 02:24 PM

I write by hand a fair bit, because a notepad and pen is easier to whip out for five minutes than a laptop.
However, my handwriting is abysmal and typing up is often unintentionally hilarious.

Back to the subject of writer's block, I assumed we weren't just talking about the thing where you don't know what to write next, but also the thing where you know /exactly/ what comes next, but can't find a way to write it without it being deeply poo. Drives me crazy when that happens - usually the fault of the scene before, though, or a decision made not long past.

I wonder where the author of this thread is at? Still beating their head on the keyboard or typing up a storm..?

northerain · 04-15-2005, 02:32 PM

His writer's block is so bad he can't even type a reply

Kane · 04-15-2005, 03:20 PM

lol

My laptop is always on, sitting next to my desktop, (unless I'm sleeping.) Though I do a fair bit of writing in a journal -- Character profiles, world history, etc...

Still though, it can take me 5 minutes to handwrite a paragraph. In 5 minutes I could type more than a page on the computer. I don't know how accurate that comparison is.. but if I didn't have a computer I don't know if I would have ever entertained the idea of becoming a writer.

As for writer's block... I don't get it. Do you have a plot? Do you have characters? I think if you have writer's block, perhaps you have written yourself into a corner or maybe never had a good idea of what you wanted to do... try sitting down and making an outline and once you do that, start filling in the details.

tj · 04-16-2005, 02:45 PM

something i learnt on another forum is to grab a dictonary, randomly pick 5 words, then try to write a poem or opening of a story using those 5 words, the result is never that good but i find it works if your having problems with the plot, because you end up with ideas you would never have thought of.

hope this helps

Oracle · 04-16-2005, 03:03 PM

actually, the 5 word method can be really helpful when you're looking for fresh inspiration.

The one thing that prevents me from writing is lack of motivation. I often get lazy, and it takes alot of effort to get up and start writing. Once I'm writing, alot gets accomplished, but it's hard to get started.

Harlequin · 04-16-2005, 03:16 PM

My biggest problem with writer's block is focus. I just have trouble with it. I write a few pages and then I get an idea for another story and I can't get that out of my head. Either that or I get ideas for characters that just don't fit into the story. I guess what a writer needs to do in that situation is to just write something out and come back to it later, but always focusing on the big story. It's like missing the moon for the stars.

evadri · 04-16-2005, 06:42 PM

Yeh, if it's hard to get started, that's when you have to 'force' yourself - force yourself to get started that is. Once you get started, usually you'll get into the flow and it won't be forced after the first hour or so.

Crazy_dude6662 · 04-17-2005, 12:14 PM

i just relax i get ideas at the weirdest time (like music class) so always be prepaired for ideas, but dont force them, i pent about 6 months writing my book and that was spaced out over about 2 years wenever i got stuck i just stopped and went back to it after awhile.

Kaku-Ryu · 04-26-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northerain

His writer's block is so bad he can't even type a reply

I'm here! I've just been busy with other things. lol! But I am a she...not a he

lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalDog

Back to the subject of writer's block, I assumed we weren't just talking about the thing where you don't know what to write next, but also the thing where you know /exactly/ what comes next, but can't find a way to write it without it being deeply poo. Drives me crazy when that happens - usually the fault of the scene before, though, or a decision made not long past.

Exactly! I know what comes next but I don't know how to write it to go with the scene! It happens a lot lately and I'm pretty sure it's not because of my plot like a few people have been saying. I have everything planned out, a whole notebook of my planning!

A few people also said force yourself to write and I think this would be the best idea for me. Maybe if I write it out a few different ways I can find the way I want it

lol!

mammamaia · 04-27-2005, 07:56 AM

ok... i'm not going to be very popular here, with this one... but i think it needs to be said... the most common cause of what you 'kids' are describing, is not knowing 'how' to write... not having studied and perfected the 'art' of writing FIRST...

so many newcomers to writing just jump right in and start writing away, paying little or no attention to how well or how poorly they're writing... haven't honed the basic skills and haven't developed a 'voice' yet...

it's like everyone seems to think we're all born knowing how to do it and just have to put it in gear and go... sorry to say, however, it takes both talent and an instinctive love of words and the ability to use them to best advantage, not just 'ideas' for stories...

everyone has ideas... only good writers can turn those ideas into stories/books/movies others can enjoy... and you don't get to be a good writer automatically... first, you have to be a good READer... read the best works of the best writers of all ages, past and present... if you don't do that first, you'll never be a good writer, much less a marketable one... you can take that to the bank...

sorry to be so 'mother'ish, but i am one [of 7], and 'mother' thousands of would-be writers per year, so i do know whereof i speak...

so, stop worrying about your 'writer's block' and do something about your reader's block... and include some basic grammar, punctuation, style references in that reading list, too, if you want to nail the 'how'!

love and hugs, maia

ps: the other 2 requisites for writing success are passion and self-discipline!

Harlequin · 04-27-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

is not knowing 'how' to write... not having studied and perfected the 'art' of writing FIRST...

You're absolutely right! When I was in eighth grade I tried writing a "novel." Then, I thought it was great, but now I know it was amateurish and horrible! Now that I've been writing for seven years, I'm getting better. I won't say I'm great, but I've had practice. It's like the old caudeville joke, "How do you get to the Carnegie? Practice."

Kaku-Ryu · 04-27-2005, 03:56 PM

mammamaia, I understand what you are saying but sometimes it doesn't always work that way. I may be inexperienced in writing but isn't the only way to get better to keep trying? I've only been writing for 5 years (the first two years completely rubbish) while others have been writing from 10 years - who knows! But in my 5 years of writing I've learned a lot from my mistakes.

I read a lot and try to study from what I'm reading. Look at how other authors write. That's one of the main ways I learn!

There are authors out there who have wrote books and had them published who are my age. It's never too early to start writing, in my opinion, and someone could always write something and then when they are older and more experienced fix it up to make it better. The plot could still be good. You never know.

Well anyways, thanks for that bit of um...advice? It really made me think.

cyberspecter · 04-28-2005, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaku-Ryu

...There are authors out there who have wrote books and had them published...

Um... have written.