How to cure writer’s block
I must say from the outset that I’m not a great believer in the writer’s block myth.
There always seems to be something that needs jotting down, so what’s the fuss? That said, there are days when I find it difficult to get enough words in the bank, but this is probably when I’m suffering from a lethargy attack or a plain old can’t really be bothered type of day.
As I appear to have fallen into two very different writing styles, deep dark and black and satirically witty this is unavoidable as there is so much middle ground to get lost in on my off days.
However, I have found a few tricky little techniques to overcome this void on some of the less than wordy days. Although difficult to put into clinical words, my techniques involve focus, concentration and application.
They are as follows:
- Umm? What was number one? Damn. I’ll get back to you on this. I’ve gone blank.
- Umm?
- ….
- ….
- ………..?
LOL I like your sense of humor! I often get in a rut and it's not that there's nothing to write, I just can get the words.
…….
oh wait.. what was it that I wanted to say? Damn :|
Your second bullet point is my preferred method. It's um…
I do agree, though. On days I'm not getting the words in, it isn't so much writer's block as it is lethargy.
I can always write something – it just may not be the WIP that NEEDS to be written!
Wait, there's one more. Not five but six.
6. Umm, er, hang on a mo. Sounds like, er……..
DOH!!!!
Might have to extend this list to 7 bullet points Jack!
It's usually anxiousness more than anything that gets me. Will this be good? Will this be bad? Am I thinking about this being good or bad too much?
I can’t call myself a writer yet, as I only have half a million words written and four unpublished (yet) novels. I wrote a quarter million words in two months, and had no sense of “writer’s block.” The “zone” I do have a sense of. When I get into it, the words fly out of my mind with little coaxing and nothing in the outside world disturbs me.
Lucid dreams have been a source for another six novels I intend to write. Unlike most dreams, they were complete logical stories with life like characters. When I woke up, I wrote them down. Bypassed the writer’s block.
Post hypnotic suggestion works well. Tell yourself clearly what you want to do or write, then relax and meditate, or sleep on it. The Muse will accommodate your request. I use this technique for making custom necklaces. I tell myself I need broach ideas, then I relax and I clear my mind, sit cross legged and thiink about nothing. Broaches start flying through my mind. I mentally grab the ones that appeal to me, come out of my trance and go make them. Works like a champ. If I ever have writer’s block, I intend to use the technique.
Maybe when I have to write on a deadline the “block” will be something I’llneed to deal with. Now I’m grateful I don’t know what it is.
Thanks for your blog, although I think my solution trumps suicide.