little_red

I've never really suffered from writers block before. But recently it's like all my words have just vanished and I can't make up anything to write. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can kick start my story telling.

thanks for your time

edit: thanks omginternetlord, maybe i've got spelling block too

Sam Winchester

There really are no beneficial ideas or suggestions I can give to help you kick-start your writing. Well, one: just write. Doesn't matter if it's tripe; just get something down on a page. Writer's block is all in the mind. The inner sadist in you has to stand up and say, 'Hang on, there is NO such thing as writer's block. Even if there is, you have to convince yourself there isn't. For the most part, the stuff writers write is two-thirds crap, one-third good. That's what editing is for. In the meantime, get something written. Even if it's about how you feel today. That should kick-start the creative juices.

If that doesn't work, take a rest from the computer. Go read a book, watch a movie, play a game, go for a jog, take the dog for a walk... anything, really. Let the mind relax, and then come back to the computer and try again.

I get hit sometimes by writer's block, but I force myself to write on, even if the work isn't up to standard. People will say that when you aren't feeling creative, that writing is pointless. Bull. Authors on deadlines don't have the liberty of saying things like that. They have to get something written. If you want to succeed as a writer, chances are you'll have to do the same.

Sam.

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To those who live by and never stray from the creedo of "show, don't tell," here's a thought - it's called storytelling not storyshowing.

astralis

Research your subject. Too little research is ultimately the most common cause of writer's block.

Consider reviewing your main plot and your characters' developments and how they tie into the plot. Do the subplots tie in as well? What revelations will these provide to your story?

Do your characters have enough tragedy that they're bringing into the story so that you can enrich their dimensions? If not, build that in and explore how it works with the subplots and plots.

Also, if this is an open-ended project, this could go on forever. Set a goal for yourself to get this finished in so many months.

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Swamp Thing

Go to a coffee shop or a bar and evesdrop. If that doesn't work, or if you get punched in the mouth, pull up something you did earlier and edit the hell out of it. This later won't cure the block, but you'll be doing something that's productive.

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omginternetlord

Force some words out, anything. Build some momentum. Once you've started writing some it'll come easy. Promise.

Also, I'm pretty sure "suggestions" doesn't have a j in it.

SilkFX

Sorry to disagree with you, astralis, but I've often come to a point where too MUCH research keeps me from writing the story.

Little red: See my sig.

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To everyone who keeps saying "I can't start!" or "I can't keep going!" or "I can't finish!":

Early drafts are ALLOWED to be crap. Feel free to write the crappiest crap that ever crapped. Don't think about it...just get it all out on the page. Then roll up your sleeves and turn that crap into something worth reading.
The REAL work of writing is in REWRITING.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/gramm...torm_block.htm

nacreous

I am of the opinion that there is NO SUCH THING as writer's block. It is a reification, like love or religion, meant to help us put handles on the world around us. Like all reifications, it prevents us from fully experiencing the world or reaching for our limits. We have been told that there is such a thing as writer's block, we have been shown that it damages us, but we have the choice to believe in this or not.
There is no such phenomenon. It is a make-believe construction which serves only to block us. Choose not to believe in this thing. I have never once had this reification. Of course, there are times when its hard to write, when the words are difficult to find or the creative energy just seems to run dry, but that doesnt mean you really cant write. Of course you can still write. Just sit down and slowly work out the next word, and then the following word, and on and on.
You're saying: 'where the hell does this weirdo get off telling me this?' Well, I do this to help you. You are a young writer, with a long career of words ahead of you. Dont let this writer's block thing get to you. Tell yourself its a myth.
Where did I get this? I studied clinical psychology, graduate level, for many years. Reification is a major component in the formation of neuroses and phobias. Do some research on your own, if you are interesting in this idea. But dont believe in the big ugly green monster many have created before you.
Good luck, and keep on writing.

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nacreous - a type of high-flying cloud which often reflects the setting sun back to the earth long after darkness has fallen on the land.

lin

Ah, another proponent of the "If I haven't experienced it, it doesn't exist" school of thought. So we can put writers block up on the shelf beside Hodge's debunking of God, altruism, and romantic love.

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flashgordon

I just keep several projects going at once. When I stumble on one, I can usually pick up on another and keep the pen flowing. Also, I switch up my topics as well. Constant change keeps me working...

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Joe Moore

This topic has been discussed as recently as a few weeks ago. I agreed with Mike then and with nacreous here. There is no such thing as writer's block in professional writing. It is the common fall-back excuse of non-disciplined amateurs.

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Mike C

Do you notice how nobody ever has a problem writing - often at length - about their writer's block?

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Joe Moore

Imagine that.

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astralis

Completely agree. It's not necessarily undisciplined behavior, although that is definitely true. It could also be that the beginner doesn't know how to write a story. This is why there are so many 30-paged unfinished novels sitting in drawers.

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RebelGoddess

I completely agree : ). Check my sig for my favorite author's quote about it.

That is to say I do believe that people can be "blocked", but I think that it's actually subconscious (or even conscious) procrastination.

Totallly true!

Supports my theory that they're not blocked, just procrastinating.

True writer's block would prevent the person from writing anything not factually embedded in their minds, like their name or the date or something.

But that's just me rambling off an idea, LOL!

Racheal

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Writers' block doesn't exist. It's actually called work avoidance procrastination.
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Cheeno

Wright what you've written. Then write.