Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by joanna on January 15, 2010 at 10:24am

Don't try and write your novel. Just write about, oh, I don't know, cabbage! (per Natalie Goldberg). No editing, no thinking, just write! For 10 minutes. That's it. Then write about something else completely unrelated to your novel. It should unstuck your brain and you might even get a new idea in the process.

Hope that helps.
joanna
wisdomwithinink.com

Permalink Reply by Courtney Crow Wyrtzen on January 15, 2010 at 12:58pm

I happen to have a blog post about that very thing - I have used it since I was very young and it still works for me today. I have found the hand-writing this exercise works best for me and doodling pictures alongside, best wishes!
courtney

http://ccwfreelance.com/http:/ccwfreelance.com/wordpress/writers_block

Permalink Reply by Adriana Ryan on January 18, 2010 at 9:20am

Thank you both soooo much!! I tried both exercises, and FINALLY, thankfully, my writer's block seems to have lifted! Yippeeeee!!

Permalink Reply by Meg Waite Clayton on January 18, 2010 at 1:03pm

Glad your writers' block is busted, Sandhya. I was going to say that when I slow down I turn to research, because I always find interesting tidbit that I want to work in, and then working them in gets me writing.

Permalink Reply by Meg Waite Clayton on January 18, 2010 at 1:47pm

And just remembered a wonderful Erma Bombeck quote on this, that I blogged about awhile ago:

Put Paper in the typewriter, start at it a long time, get snow-blindness if you have to, but write something." - Erma Bombeck

Although I suppose many She Writers have no experience with a typewriter!

Permalink Reply by Natalie Snapp on January 18, 2010 at 6:39pm

I always remove myself for a bit and if I have to, take a day or two off. I get back to doing what I enjoy (running, reading, playing with my kids, etc.) and am sure to carry around a notecard in my pocket for any "ah-ha" idea that pops up. (This is a tip from Anne Lamott - love her book, Bird by Bird). You will get through it - you just might be on overload!

Permalink Reply by Courtney Crow Wyrtzen on January 20, 2010 at 5:59pm

thank you so much for reading and for the props ~ everybody needs 'em. Made my day.

Permalink Reply by Patricia Marie Dunn on January 21, 2010 at 3:53pm

Sometimes what works for me and my students is finding a prompt from anywhere, All I know is a good one. Then time yourself for ten minutes. You can't pick up the pen or take your fingers off the key board until time is up. Whatever comes out comes out. Even if you write, I hate doing this, for the ten minutes (i'm sure you won't), that's okay. Just don't stop and don't think! Just write. When the ten minutes are up do the reverse prompt--All I don't know is...

Try it. What do you have to lose? Ten minutes.

Permalink Reply by Kelli Swearingen on January 21, 2010 at 9:44pm

I was in a funk for awhile and I found writing lists (of all things) got me writing. I'd write a grocery list and take off from there. I know it sounds insane but I've gotten better at rhyming,have written about the smell of fresh carrots simmering on the stove etc.Everyone has such great ideas on this thread.

Permalink Reply by Adriana Ryan on January 27, 2010 at 7:50am

Another thing I've found that works - rereading and editing my stuff! When I have writer's block and I reread what I've written and edit, often times I'll feel like, "Oh yeah! That's where I was going/that's what I want to say next!" I know they say that editing while you're still writing is a big no-no, and I do agree with that, but I've found it works remarkably well in clearing my writer's block. :)

Permalink Reply by Ginger McKnight-Chavers on January 27, 2010 at 3:22pm

journaling. If I write down all my random thoughts and rants in my journal, eventually I gain some momentum and writing energy that I can apply to my novel. Sometimes reading others' works helps as well. Going to art exhibits helps, but as a mother writer, I have far less time for that sort of thing these days, so scribbling things down in my journal while sitting in the school pickup line or waiting for kid-activities to end is what I focus on.

Permalink Reply by Angela Christine Ragosa on March 7, 2010 at 8:12pm

I have a few different things that seem to help when I'm having a dry spell...I.'m bordering on dehydration at the moment myself.. I enjoy listening to my favorite music... it helps to lift my spirits and re-energize me. I also love to go walking, long walks...I find it helps to shift my focus from all the daily distractions..Other times I will read a favorite book...

Best Wishes,

Angela

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