To Do Or Not To Do... The Worst 'Overcoming Writer's Block' Suggestions
So much to do, so little time!
About writers block.
When writing you can get stuck on the same passage in the same chapter for a long time! What do you do when this happens? I think I've figured out the key to curing the funk, if you will. Humor me here?
First, let's look at a few horrible ideas that are commonly suggested.
1. Make up an imaginary friend & curse like a sailor.*Actual advice from a reputable source*
How people come up with these anecdotes I'll never know, but talking to yourself? Making up an imaginary friend? Although attempts at stretching your imagination are apparent here, I'd personally advise against this. Psychology today will probably tell you, sure, there's nothing wrong with having an imaginary friend as an adult. But when you find yourself on the couch, I guarantee you, the doctor sitting behind you, listening and writing diagnosis, won't agree.
My Answer:
What can YOU tell YOURSELF that you don't already know? Makes absolutely no sense! Essentially you're taking an extra step to give yourself another personality, to tell yourself something you can't figure out within your own personality. Confusing right? I think so too... so... Imaginary friend... No Go! On the other hand, I think cursing is normal, by all means let it fly - if it tickles your fancy.
2. Steal Ideas
It's a shame that I even have to address this one, but alas, it's the way of the world now, I guess. I can't believe people even suggest this. Get inspiration, sure; compare scenarios, okay... but flat out steal ideas and just tweak them to your own agenda? That is not only insulting to you and your own imagination but will probably get you sued on a major scale.
My Answer:
Forget it! If you can't imagine your own story, find a day job. Writing is NOT for you.
3. Shift Outlets:
The old, leave your workspace and come back to it later adage. Also known as "PROCRASTINATION".
"What? That's not procrastination," you say. "That's allowing yourself to refresh your mind," or some other light-hearted, bubbly thing you may think of. Beware, putting your writing on hold is really what that is! In a sense, you're giving up on your own writing only to "come back to it with a fresh mind" later. So answer this... when is later? A day? A Week? An hour? Ten Minutes? Six months? Be honest with yourself, especially if you've ever used this technique, how many times did you fall from grace {stop writing for a long period} after doing this?
My Answer:
This is the information age, where we go; from our cell phone, where we text and play games; to our tablet, to watch YouTube and movies; to the television, to watch the news or binge watch a series. Shoot... then there's that laundry you need to transfer to the dryer, oh and you have to fold and put away the clothes that are already dry. Then, oh it's time to pick up the kids from school and make dinner. Our significant other just walked in and by golly they need attention for whatever reason. Dang it, I forgot to do my part of that project for class....
"This is the time I set aside to write," you think to yourself! "Oh, that's okay, I'll just pick up where I left off tomorrow."
Then tomorrow rolls around, you're still stuck in the same spot or haven't ventured much further than where you left off, so...
"Maybe I need another cup of coffee..."
"Wait who left these dishes in the sink?"
Do you see a pattern? That, "put it down and switch focus for a while", becomes "time wasted". Time that you could have been using to write your great story! You should have a set goal as to when your rough draft should be complete and you should stick to that closely if you're serious about publishing by a certain date.
So, shifting outlets... No Go!
There's a long answer and a short one to that question. The short version: I have my story outlined before I begin writing. I have all my characters planned out, who they are, what their psychology is, what their previous life was. I have each location in my book mapped. I break my timeline down into chapters and each section is placed somewhere within the chapter to look back on it whenever I need to.
If I get stuck, I don't stop writing! I have a schedule for release and I must stick to it! This and my website are the only sources of income I have, so I don't have the luxury of taking 25 breaks a day or breaking my schedule.
I come here and write in this blog for a while or get out my notepad that I always carry with me and review notes I've jotted down (ideas - additional timeline details I thought to add throughout the day etc). Another technique is to just keep writing. A great writer once said to me "Write like a cherub, edit like a beast". Your first draft won't be your last, unless you're just the best writer in the world, so just type anything or put x's there. Since you have a timeline written out, you already know what's going to happen so come back and fill in the blanks later.
It's been my experience that when you take the focus away from the task at hand, you tend to lose focus on the task at hand. Leaving your writing space and abandoning your writing time for chores or other "hobbies" can get in the way of what should be your main focus.. TO COMPLETE YOUR WORK and publish it for the world to see!
What do YOU do when you have writer's block? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Hope this tidbit has helped ya some or at least made you giggle :-)
For other tools I use please visit Motivation and Help
Until next time... happy unblocked writing!
Myka aka Butta
XOXO
About writers block.
When writing you can get stuck on the same passage in the same chapter for a long time! What do you do when this happens? I think I've figured out the key to curing the funk, if you will. Humor me here?
First, let's look at a few horrible ideas that are commonly suggested.
1. Make up an imaginary friend & curse like a sailor.*Actual advice from a reputable source*
How people come up with these anecdotes I'll never know, but talking to yourself? Making up an imaginary friend? Although attempts at stretching your imagination are apparent here, I'd personally advise against this. Psychology today will probably tell you, sure, there's nothing wrong with having an imaginary friend as an adult. But when you find yourself on the couch, I guarantee you, the doctor sitting behind you, listening and writing diagnosis, won't agree.
My Answer:
What can YOU tell YOURSELF that you don't already know? Makes absolutely no sense! Essentially you're taking an extra step to give yourself another personality, to tell yourself something you can't figure out within your own personality. Confusing right? I think so too... so... Imaginary friend... No Go! On the other hand, I think cursing is normal, by all means let it fly - if it tickles your fancy.
2. Steal Ideas
It's a shame that I even have to address this one, but alas, it's the way of the world now, I guess. I can't believe people even suggest this. Get inspiration, sure; compare scenarios, okay... but flat out steal ideas and just tweak them to your own agenda? That is not only insulting to you and your own imagination but will probably get you sued on a major scale.
My Answer:
Forget it! If you can't imagine your own story, find a day job. Writing is NOT for you.
3. Shift Outlets:
The old, leave your workspace and come back to it later adage. Also known as "PROCRASTINATION".
"What? That's not procrastination," you say. "That's allowing yourself to refresh your mind," or some other light-hearted, bubbly thing you may think of. Beware, putting your writing on hold is really what that is! In a sense, you're giving up on your own writing only to "come back to it with a fresh mind" later. So answer this... when is later? A day? A Week? An hour? Ten Minutes? Six months? Be honest with yourself, especially if you've ever used this technique, how many times did you fall from grace {stop writing for a long period} after doing this?
My Answer:
This is the information age, where we go; from our cell phone, where we text and play games; to our tablet, to watch YouTube and movies; to the television, to watch the news or binge watch a series. Shoot... then there's that laundry you need to transfer to the dryer, oh and you have to fold and put away the clothes that are already dry. Then, oh it's time to pick up the kids from school and make dinner. Our significant other just walked in and by golly they need attention for whatever reason. Dang it, I forgot to do my part of that project for class....
"This is the time I set aside to write," you think to yourself! "Oh, that's okay, I'll just pick up where I left off tomorrow."
Then tomorrow rolls around, you're still stuck in the same spot or haven't ventured much further than where you left off, so...
"Maybe I need another cup of coffee..."
"Wait who left these dishes in the sink?"
Do you see a pattern? That, "put it down and switch focus for a while", becomes "time wasted". Time that you could have been using to write your great story! You should have a set goal as to when your rough draft should be complete and you should stick to that closely if you're serious about publishing by a certain date.
So, shifting outlets... No Go!
There's a long answer and a short one to that question. The short version: I have my story outlined before I begin writing. I have all my characters planned out, who they are, what their psychology is, what their previous life was. I have each location in my book mapped. I break my timeline down into chapters and each section is placed somewhere within the chapter to look back on it whenever I need to.
If I get stuck, I don't stop writing! I have a schedule for release and I must stick to it! This and my website are the only sources of income I have, so I don't have the luxury of taking 25 breaks a day or breaking my schedule.
I come here and write in this blog for a while or get out my notepad that I always carry with me and review notes I've jotted down (ideas - additional timeline details I thought to add throughout the day etc). Another technique is to just keep writing. A great writer once said to me "Write like a cherub, edit like a beast". Your first draft won't be your last, unless you're just the best writer in the world, so just type anything or put x's there. Since you have a timeline written out, you already know what's going to happen so come back and fill in the blanks later.
It's been my experience that when you take the focus away from the task at hand, you tend to lose focus on the task at hand. Leaving your writing space and abandoning your writing time for chores or other "hobbies" can get in the way of what should be your main focus.. TO COMPLETE YOUR WORK and publish it for the world to see!
What do YOU do when you have writer's block? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Hope this tidbit has helped ya some or at least made you giggle :-)
For other tools I use please visit Motivation and Help
Until next time... happy unblocked writing!
Myka aka Butta
XOXO
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