Well, the semester is half-way over and if writer's block hasn't sunk in for you yet, you're lucky. I like to write, but I know that even the best writers experience writer's block. I have quite a bit of writing assignments for my classes, so I often find it hard to find a topic on which to write. These blogs are acutally more easy to write than our news story assignemnts, probably because we don't have as strict of guidelines to follow.
Purdue's OWL site lists many different scenarios in which people experience writer's block. They suggest physically stretching to relieve stress-caused writer's block. I think this is effective because it's relaxing. Being relaxed can inquire thought and thus writing. One of the best tips on Purdue's site that I often use is this: "Force yourself to write down something, however poorly worded, that approximates your thought (you can revise this later) and go on with the next idea." I use this when I know what I want to say, but I don't know how to word it. I often find that coming back to my work after a while, even a day, helps me revise my writing.
For those of you creative writers, here is an intersting website that takes a slightly different approach to writer's block. Languageisavirus.com generates words, characters, phrases, etc. for people who may be stumbling on, say, a character's name in a novel. It also gives random titles to stories. Some of these may be a little whimsical or unuseful, but you never know what kind of creativity the site may spark. You can have fun with it too, go to the site and click on Cut up Machine, type in a random phrase, and click "Cut It Up." See what kind of crazy sentence you may get.
This website states some causes for writer's block that are very familiar to me. One of them is neglecting my writing. Sometimes I put off assignments and end up later sitting down to write nothing. The site suggests just writing ten minutes a day can be helpful. I think that works because it gives me a break and allows my creativity to develop and recover. They also mention the concept of perfectionism. That can be an issue to me, but I don't necessarily consider it writer's block. If I'm worried about perfecting my work, I must have writing intuition at that moment. They mention just a change of scenery can be a cure for any cause of writer's block. That can be so true to me.
Do you have any suggestions for writer's block? What do you think is the best cure for writer's block?
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I totally went through all of this last week, and even wrote my blog about because I was so frustrated! How weird is that! I am just like you! I put off assignments and end up later sitting down to write nothing. I think for me especially the worst part is always getting through the beginning. Whether it's introductions or something else. I find it the hardest to organize because it is the first thing in your writing that makes it or breaks it. I go back and forth deleting what I just typed only to re-write it again. I am horrible at using strategies to help me write. Drawing a picture or doing something else to activate the creative side in my brain just doesn't work!
ReplyDeleteHalf the time I have to ask my husband to help me get the ball rolling. I think it helps to get another person's idea on what you are doing. Most of the time I disagree with whatever he says, and figure out what I want! :)
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteYou would be the one to have writer's block. All I can really say to you is that if you take your mind off the assignment for a short (or even extended) period of time, your brain will be better focused when you do eventually come back to it. I have always found this to work for me. I have many papers due every week, and, it's not so much the topic issue as it is the procrastination one. I usually have a "fun" writing project open so I can have a rewards system going. When I write so many lines of my assignment, I can write what I LIKE. It works. I have never had a problem missing a deadline or finishing all my assignments. Don’t believe me: Try it. You’ll see!
Writers block is great for getting other work done. I find that when I am not able to write I wash clothes, edit papers and call my mother. One hour of mindless work and I find that my mind is refreshed and I can now concentrate on writing.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine outsources to several companies – she writes press releases and does some technical writing. I asked her what she does when she loses focus – she told me she surfs the internet for inspiration when she is writing a press release.
Should she be technical writing, she opens up a box that contains directions on how to put things together. It has anything from how to put together a desk to a bicycle. She gets so frustrated with how badly most of the directions are written that she is inspired to write better.
I definitely know what you mean, when you talked about having writers block. In high school, I had a teacher who told us if we had writers block to just think of what we have planned for the day or anything and tons of things would start coming to us to write about.
ReplyDeleteAt first I didn't believe her but then one day in class we started writing and all of a sudden I had a half page written already.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI have been experiencing writer’s block for the past two weeks! Both in blog writing and our stories! I can’t seem to think of anything to write so I just put it off in hopes that something brilliant will just come to me. It annoys me more than anything. The good part is that I always seem to think of something and get my work in on time, so it doesn’t worry me too much. I think the thing that works best for me is to just sit down and force myself to do it. I allow myself half an hour or so to surf websites to find ideas and then I pick one and get to work.