Thread: Writers Block. Make it go away!!!!

I have been having extremely long periods of writers block. I understand, as a writer, that it's a part of the process and everyone goes through it. But when it happens to me it lasts for months and months at a time. The last time I had writers block it lasted for nearly three years. I would sit down with every intention of writing something, anything, but I could never get the words out. So I eventually gave up on forcing myself. I then found a great iPhone app that spits out random writing exercises. It's a really great tool, but sometimes it's easy to just say, "Nah, I don't feel like writing about that," and passing on the experience. I have nothing but time lately to sit and write, but like I said, I just can't get the words out.

Does anyone have any advice on how to eliminate writers block? Maybe not forever, but to at least get through a day of writing. I try to write at least 1000 words a day (I use a program called yWriter that tracks my writing progress). Usually when I get going on writing, 1000 words comes and goes so fast.

Thanks in advance guys
-Hayden

I have several solutions. I also tend to have this problem, not only with writing, but with piano as well.

Do you listen to music often?

Some times when I can't spit any words out, I look for new songs. I try to look for a song that best represents the story I want to write. When I do and I sit on my computer it seems the words come out on their own.

Do you have a laptop?

Try switching your writing space for a change, any place that you feel comfortable is fine.

What about going for a walk?

Walking will not only fill your eyes with fresh views, it will also relieve you from stress and it's good for your health, too.

Think about the feelings you want to convey by writing.

And then try to create a story out of it, no writing, just a basic concept. Stick with the idea for a few days and then get your pen rolling later on.

Don't push yourself too hard.

It won't come if you force it, some times you just need to let the pressure off your shoulders and calm down.

Have fun.

If writing doesn't feel fun to you, then it's no use to push it (unless your meals depend on it). Maybe a new hobby will bring you other perspectives, and maybe even boost your writing!

Practice another form of art.

This is my favorite. You might think that playing the piano, painting and writing a novel are completely unrelated. But there are "skills" that are common between them all.

You will notice that certain things are present in every form of art and many other things. If you practice piano, paint a picture, design a building, practice karate or write a story, you are developing skills that work on all forms of art. It's something that can't be taught, but that you can feel once you do different things.

If you do something else and then come back to writing, you might notice you write better than before.

I hope this helps!

Originally Posted by elite

Practice another form of art.

This is my favorite. You might think that playing the piano, painting and writing a novel are completely unrelated. But there are "skills" that are common between them all.

You will notice that certain things are present in every form of art and many other things. If you practice piano, paint a picture, design a building, practice karate or write a story, you are developing skills that work on all forms of art. It's something that can't be taught, but that you can feel once you do different things.

If you do something else and then come back to writing, you might notice you write better than before.

I think this is something that works for me a lot of the time. I often find myself listening to music and becoming inspired by the words and storyline of the song. Sometimes, when I'm driving I'll come across a song that inspires me. When I go home I make it a point to sit in my room for however long it takes, playing the song over and over and free writing. I've gotten a lot of great things out of doing this. Maybe I'll stick to doing that for awhile and see where it gets me.

Thanks a lot!

Don't mention it! I get writer's/pianist's/programmer's blocks all the time! So I've dedicated a lot of my time to find what works best for me, and well, that's what I do!

Hi Unwritten. I found myself in a similar situation in that I eventually just stopped trying, then other life things got in the way and before I knew it 8 years has passed! Trying a different creative outlet for a little while is a good idea. Elite, I also play piano, and find myself with piano-block sometimes lol. Thats when I reach for the violin!

If I get (or got, since I haven't written anything in years) writers block, I either tried to work on something else, or skipped a few scenes ahead. Or I would try to work on more character development to really get to know them. Incidentally, Unwritten, your avatar pic looks a lot like I envisioned my MC!

Originally Posted by aesir22

Hi Unwritten. I found myself in a similar situation in that I eventually just stopped trying, then other life things got in the way and before I knew it 8 years has passed! Trying a different creative outlet for a little while is a good idea. Elite, I also play piano, and find myself with piano-block sometimes lol. Thats when I reach for the violin!

If I get (or got, since I haven't written anything in years) writers block, I either tried to work on something else, or skipped a few scenes ahead. Or I would try to work on more character development to really get to know them. Incidentally, Unwritten, your avatar pic looks a lot like I envisioned my MC!

Piano-blocks are so frustrating! Not only I can't play like I want, but I make mistakes all over the place!

Yup, which leads to making silly mistakes that normally wouldn't be made! Do you have the grade system over there? Sorry to hijack your thread Unwritten lol!

Originally Posted by aesir22

Incidentally, Unwritten, your avatar pic looks a lot like I envisioned my MC!

That is so sweet! I actually have had quite a few people PM me saying how much I resemble the character they're trying to create in their novel.
This would probably be the first time that I've offered this, but if you'd like some more pictures to get a better idea of what you want your character to look like, just let me know. It seems kind of strange, but I can understand how seeing someone you're essentially trying to describe can help a lot. I may not be your character, but I'll do whatever I can to help you out

Happy writing and thanks for the great advice guys!
-Hayden

Hi Hayden I sent you a PM. Hope you don't mind! Its bed time this side of the pond, but hope you crack some of the block tonight

Originally Posted by aesir22

Yup, which leads to making silly mistakes that normally wouldn't be made! Do you have the grade system over there? Sorry to hijack your thread Unwritten lol!

No idea of what that is, so no, lol.

But yeah, the piano can sometimes be rather merciless with our mood swings!

That is so sweet! I actually have had quite a few people PM me saying how much I resemble the character they're trying to create in their novel.
This would probably be the first time that I've offered this, but if you'd like some more pictures to get a better idea of what you want your character to look like, just let me know. It seems kind of strange, but I can understand how seeing someone you're essentially trying to describe can help a lot. I may not be your character, but I'll do whatever I can to help you out

Well, you do have wavy long brown hair, white skin and good looks. That's what I'd call the ideal female heroine. I was about to agree with aesir, but unfortunately my heroine is 16 years old, so she's a bit more "childish".

Thanks fleamailman, I'll keep you in mind if I ever need a listening ear

Analyse what the actual problem is. Have you planned what you want to write? Are you worrying that your writing is really bad? Do you just not start? Then work out a solution.

A friend of mine says that when she can't seem to get the ball rolling on a story, she just writes about what she had for lunch that day, what the weather was like, who she saw etc. It helps her get into the rhythm of writing and, eventually, the ideas begin to flow. I've never had writer's block so I can't tell you if this works, but it's worth a shot if you're struggling big time. Hope that helped, sorry if it didn't.

Good luck .

Originally Posted by UnWritten

I have nothing but time lately to sit and write, but like I said, I just can't get the words out.

I find that sometimes too much time is the most devastating enemy of the creative process. I usually get my best ideas when I'm not writing, then I let them bubble until I can actually write them down and by then they're usually structured and done. These ideas often come to me in the shower, while cooking, while walking, while eating(alone), or during any other activity that engages my body but not my mind. Perhaps if you suffer these horrid lapses, void of inspiration, you need to distance yourself from them. I have heard that people who enjoy swimming often state one of the reasons as being that it is nearly like meditation in that it leaves your mind free to drift. However the most common way, I'd say, would be long walks. The sheer amount of input you receive when strolling through any area, urban or natural, is just amazing. At the same time you needn't notice it. Once an idea begins to brood in your mind it can absorb you and your legs will just keep walking on autopilot.

Another thing I've done is integrate objects into my daily routine that connect me to my story. This way, I'm constantly reminded of it and even when I'm doing something unrelated it will keep my story present. At the moment I carry a 6" wrench everywhere, because my main character always carries a wrench. It reminds me of her and I find myself relating situations and ideas to her story, even if I would never have connected them normally.

That's my method, hopefully it can help you too.
Now if only I had some of that spare time of which you speak...

The only way to fill your mind is to empty it first. Total silence and no distractions. Sit up straight so you don't go to sleep. Listen to the silence. You will begin to hear. I guess this philosophy is kind of sappy to most people. I believe ideas and concepts come from the universe. Have you ever noticed that when you voice something it comes to you. What ever you put into the universe, it will come back to you. Silence allows you to make room for the ideas that swirl around you. It is filled with inspiration if you can just slow down enough to hear it. Have you ever voiced an idea you had, just to see that it comes to fruition for someone else?

Yes, I agree that changing to another art form for a while too will help. Most artists I know have many forms of art them practice. I am a bit out of my element on this forum because I'm not used to being the dumbest in the class. My main passion is not for writing. I just enjoy talking to passionate people and there are a lot of passionate people here. Writing helps center me. Writers and musicians are on a different artistic plain than visual artists but they have the same needs. This isn't saying that I am not passionate about writing, I have a lot of avenues I follow in art, I don't spend all my time on just one.

I hope you can get out of your funk. It is definitely no fun. Another way to get yourself in the mood to do your art is decide you need to clean the garage... that works every time.