tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post5068198693709594235..comments2024-03-09T06:15:04.254-05:00Comments on Rach Writes...: Conquering writer's block (one paragraph at a time and with an Arthur Boyd painting as inspiration)Rachael Harriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-9670431381889638012011-08-29T11:21:25.448-04:002011-08-29T11:21:25.448-04:00I feel for you cuz been there like you said, it is...I feel for you cuz been there like you said, it isn't nice so yes, I took a deep breath and square my shoulders and try to pretend it doesn't hurt. Even though it does. It doesn't work of course. But as you also said, going away from it, usually does it. GOOD LUCK!L.A Speedwinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07734240100355616049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-50884351456138294572011-07-19T19:58:26.526-04:002011-07-19T19:58:26.526-04:00Thank you for sharing this post. It is so encourag...Thank you for sharing this post. It is so encouraging!<br /><br /><a href="http://thewritesoil.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">The Write Soil</a>Dawn M. Hamsherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17782257750640888264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-41276660130729864322011-07-19T01:20:21.433-04:002011-07-19T01:20:21.433-04:00I've never tried basing my writing on a painti...I've never tried basing my writing on a painting...but your post did inspire me to give advice to another 'blocked' writer today. She's been putting off writing a final chapter, and I told her to write just one paragraph, and see how she goes from there!<br /><br />(Can somebody remind me of this advice next time it's me who can't write?)<br /><br />LOLAdina Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08860528131098237473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-38896641715944674192011-07-17T13:33:07.928-04:002011-07-17T13:33:07.928-04:00How great that your writer's block didn't ...How great that your writer's block didn't last too long! And thanks for sharing your method to get over it. I've just had a few weeks of holiday with ABSOLUTELY NO WRITING (on the page. Lots in my head, of course, which unfortunately doesn't count). And I feel like I'm ready to jump into a whole lot of new writing projects now! Trouble is, I have to go back to school tomorrow... Darn.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-47992100871071284622011-07-13T22:35:58.373-04:002011-07-13T22:35:58.373-04:00I had a similar problem. I was planning to pitch m...I had a similar problem. I was planning to pitch my novel at the recent RWA national conference, but then one of my beta readers suggested a structural change in my story. She was right of course. I suffered for a few days writer's block (among other things), but a shower one day got me over the problem as the ideas started flowing (along with the water). <br /><br />Glad to hear you are over yours too, Rachael. :DStinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-82117795968841361762011-07-12T22:59:33.105-04:002011-07-12T22:59:33.105-04:00I'm glad you were able to get over your block!...I'm glad you were able to get over your block! I've had moments like that and taking an actual break and thinking about something else for a while helps. <br /><br />I love Scrivener too!Ghenet Myrthilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12621168379560585094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-26070077403218918812011-07-11T20:46:58.868-04:002011-07-11T20:46:58.868-04:00I found that music helps me out immensely! Recentl...I found that music helps me out immensely! Recently I got stuck on my current WIP and I had no idea what to do on it. I got very discouraged and thought about throwing in the towel on it and starting over fresh with a new idea. However, I made myself a playlist of songs that related to the story/characters/situation. I even ran across some soundtracks to other things that fit the story. It was like this light bulb blinked on and now I'm having random muses all the time. Finally had a wonderful day of plentiful writing today.<br /><br />I'm glad you took a break and got your muse back as well! Best of luck to you!J.R. Tatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794585523926114116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-16914058496553758672011-07-11T17:26:10.157-04:002011-07-11T17:26:10.157-04:00Hmmm . . . I don't exactly get "blocked&q...Hmmm . . . I don't exactly get "blocked", at least I don't call it writer's block, cuz then I'd start using it as an excuse. I get irritated, frustrated, then I hate what I'm doing and start procrastinating working on my WIP. Thats when I know I need to step back and work on something else. If I work on something else (something bran spanking new) and start the juices flowing then I can get back to what I was working on with a bit of momentum under my belt. <br /><br />If that doesn't work then reading & analyzing a really good book is a sure fire way to get me excited about writing again. (that's why I'm doing a read-a-thon this week!)<br /><br />Also I think designing a house around a piece of art work is a great idea. What better way to inspire yourself? You'd feel like you were surrounded by your favorite painting. Very cool idea in my opinion.K.V. Briarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05508488198134394672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-75286243176866121562011-07-11T16:27:55.012-04:002011-07-11T16:27:55.012-04:00I get long-term writer's block. Because the bo...I get long-term writer's block. Because the book I'm writing is a series of humorous essays about not-always-funny experiences, I can't just sit down and make myself write. Humor doesn't work that way.<br />I enjoyed several good months when I started An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel, and have been posting to memes ever since. I have a lot of hope for the writing memes, because they don't have to be in my usual offbeat, upbeat style.<br />I've also started reading classic humorous essayists, and am now reading Damon Runyon. There are some Kipling short stories I find very funny, too, and of course Jane Austen's prose can be a real scream.<br />Anyway, that's what I'm doing for my writer's block. I'm also consulting with doctors about the cause of my fuzzy-headedness.<br />— K<br /><br />Kay, Alberta, Canada<br />An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous TravelKay L. Davieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09966266404058177742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-81090941375773451882011-07-11T16:15:06.876-04:002011-07-11T16:15:06.876-04:00I'm glad you are able to write again. It sucks...I'm glad you are able to write again. It sucks when you think you're done only to find out you aren't, but I bet your book is going to be awesome!Alleged Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04869021184116123477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-31594571611105026522011-07-11T15:19:39.489-04:002011-07-11T15:19:39.489-04:00I agree - walking away from it all and thinking ab...I agree - walking away from it all and thinking about anything and everything else works for me :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-53630000369866267142011-07-11T13:15:47.114-04:002011-07-11T13:15:47.114-04:00That absolutely has happened to me, and it's f...That absolutely has happened to me, and it's frustrating. But I handle it pretty much the way you did, and eventually get to a place where I can focus on one tiny piece, or just one sentence, and it all flows from there.<br /><br />Don't stress the big picture! Congrats on breaking through your wall!Vicki Tremperhttp://www.vbtremper.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-75978674876402804462011-07-11T13:09:55.598-04:002011-07-11T13:09:55.598-04:00I get writer's block every now and then. I hav...I get writer's block every now and then. I have to step back from my writing. Reading and cleaning helps. Sometimes the work does seem overwhelming, but it's a great feeling when you get back into it and it's all done. :)Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-51102361223214172052011-07-11T13:06:29.151-04:002011-07-11T13:06:29.151-04:00With my first ms, I just wrote what I wanted to wr...With my first ms, I just wrote what I wanted to write and didn't get caught up in procrastination or block until I got to the end. I don't know, maybe I didn't want it to be over?? But then I revised and edited and revised and had readers and edited and queried and...failed?? (still to be seen, I guess)<br /><br />So yeah, this one gets me stuck because of that dang fear of failure. But I'm slowly getting my mojo back. Thanks for the suggestions.<br />ericaerica and christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-80499480368801474532011-07-11T12:31:51.307-04:002011-07-11T12:31:51.307-04:00I don't get writer's block, but I do procr...I don't get writer's block, but I do procrastinate...Once I sit down to write, it comes tumbling out. It's just putting my butt in the chair that seems to be the hard part. So many other things to do...so little time to do them in.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-65300151449034675252011-07-11T12:27:50.616-04:002011-07-11T12:27:50.616-04:00Powering through writer's block like that is n...Powering through writer's block like that is no easy task. Hopefully, the feedback you received from your critique partners/beta readers is pointing you in a sufficient direction to correct everything. I do like that picture that inspired you, although I don't know exactly how you could design/decorate a dream house around it.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-852915104205223552011-07-11T12:06:46.709-04:002011-07-11T12:06:46.709-04:00Congrats on powering through that! I hate thinking...Congrats on powering through that! I hate thinking I am about ready and getting a big buster that I'm not. it's so frustrating! Those puzzles, when 'just this piece' isn't working usually come to me on a power walk (though sometimes they will just hit me) but the way i think of it is 'busy body, relaxed brain' and the answers finally get unstuck. As for the 'being done'--I have added in a second round of peer review just KNOWING this seems to happen every time...Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-68928803827181248792011-07-11T11:06:02.648-04:002011-07-11T11:06:02.648-04:00Oh yes, have I been there! And you're so right...Oh yes, have I been there! And you're so right. It's all about getting the proper motivation and looking at starting small, at the beginning of the change, and not about the whole thing! SO glad you got through it!!Colene Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086195075690893194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-30826563501185883772011-07-11T10:03:33.602-04:002011-07-11T10:03:33.602-04:00If I'm feeling stuck or uninspired, I skip ahe...If I'm feeling stuck or uninspired, I skip ahead to a scene that does fire me up and begin there.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-4429893656289188862011-07-11T09:20:11.630-04:002011-07-11T09:20:11.630-04:00Definitely write a Scrivner post. I hear good thin...Definitely write a Scrivner post. I hear good things, but not in-depth enough for me to take the plunge.<br /><br />So glad you are writing again. I honestly think you need time to process things, especially when deciding what to do about a major revision.Bluestockinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01225973854788421827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-35231470004171275012011-07-11T09:18:57.781-04:002011-07-11T09:18:57.781-04:00I hit a wall with one of my current projects and I...I hit a wall with one of my current projects and I felt like I was banging my head on the wall...I took a break from it and decided I need time away and will go back once I finish some other stuff...Savannah Chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03969287794654622274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-42445664284906417462011-07-11T08:52:48.378-04:002011-07-11T08:52:48.378-04:00I haven't really experienced writer's bloc...I haven't really experienced writer's block but more the opposite where I don't have time to write all that I want to and big piles of backlogged writing are just sitting in my brain.<br />Glad you were able to relax for a day. Sometimes, it makes all the difference.Christa Desirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614441465633549710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-36429127309089314212011-07-11T08:44:33.695-04:002011-07-11T08:44:33.695-04:00I'm having a hard time now, not having the ins...I'm having a hard time now, not having the inspiration to write. Great post.Miranda Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17880449368013410349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-33599572452405933602011-07-11T08:25:14.265-04:002011-07-11T08:25:14.265-04:00I'm terrible for writer's block - just hau...I'm terrible for writer's block - just hauled myself out of a few weeks of it! I've got Second Book Syndrome, and it's the second book in a trilogy, which makes it even worse! But we'll get there. In the end, we can't not write. Although I've found eating more healthily does help with block. Kick-starts my brain or something :DAnne-Mhairi Simpsonhttp://www.annemhairisimpson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380793708805406109.post-87199801854690624642011-07-11T08:25:11.501-04:002011-07-11T08:25:11.501-04:00I'm terrible for writer's block - just hau...I'm terrible for writer's block - just hauled myself out of a few weeks of it! I've got Second Book Syndrome, and it's the second book in a trilogy, which makes it even worse! But we'll get there. In the end, we can't not write. Although I've found eating more healthily does help with block. Kick-starts my brain or something :DAnne-Mhairi Simpsonhttp://www.annemhairisimpson.comnoreply@blogger.com