Writer's Blocketc

[neoeno]

You might've noticed that for the founder, I don't really write a whole lot.

This isn't because I don't enjoy it, I really enjoy writing (when I do it). However, when I sit down to write, things go wrong. The problem is I either cannot think of anything satisfactory (perhaps) to write about, or I write a paragraph or two and then feel hopeless and bleurghy and so generally end up deleting the whole thing and emoing for a while.

Got any ideas about overcoming this?

[Dan]

Put random strings of phrases together in your head, maybe to a beat, and just keep doing it quickly and then start over trying to remember what you had 'said' and then eventually an idea will come to you and it will be somewhat written already.

Dan +1 Karma

[sold]

Sometimes an idea just pops into my head and I just go with it, but clearly those are very rough. Other times I might have a promp (in school), or go with the original idea, but develop/organize it more before writing. A few of my pieces (I think) are about little things or situations that I notice that I simply describe in detail, or magnify the significance of.

[galantee]

You might've noticed that for the founder, I don't really write a whole lot.

This isn't because I don't enjoy it, I really enjoy writing (when I do it). However, when I sit down to write, things go wrong. The problem is I either cannot think of anything satisfactory (perhaps) to write about, or I write a paragraph or two and then feel hopeless and bleurghy and so generally end up deleting the whole thing and emoing for a while.

Got any ideas about overcoming this?

I get exactly the same thing, except I (try to) never delete what I started. No matter how little you have, you might still be able to fit it in with something else later on. That is, if you're disciplined enough. That's my sore spot...

[Depressperado]

I really like writing and all, but it's hard for me to come up with something I really like, so I know how you feel.  I carry around a notebook, pocket-sized, and when I think of something particularly poetic or awesome, I jot it down and then work off of it, and if I like what I've done, I'll work it into a story.  Like that "Her eyes were alight with an ethanol glow" thing you said you liked in my piece, I thought of that while having a heart-to-heart with my drunken ex-girlfriend, and pissed her off royally by pulling out my notebook and writing it down mid sentence.

Basically, what I suggest you try is just to write down every writer-y thing that comes to your head and you'll think of something.

[galantee]

Huzzah for pocket notebooks!

[sold]

Also, try writing down random words or thoughts. Sometimes I do that. All the time. Maybe?

[ironypills]

Make a word map. I put a picture of one of mine in the picture thread I think.

It is krazy fun.

[aslidsiksoraksi]

EXCUSE ME FOR INTRAWEBSHOUTING but what is a word map?

hankstay ouyay

(I think that's pig latin for thanks you)

[sold]

Make a word map. I put a picture of one of mine in the picture thread I think.

It is krazy fun.

[Kluny]

Go through your back pages. Work on something you started months or years ago and finally finish it.

[radtastic]

I do that a lot, too.  I agree with not deleting what you've written--I found this story I wrote awhile ago on this computer (my sister stole my laptop for a year or so and has just now given it back), and I very clearly remember writing it and absolutely HATING IT when I was finished.  Like, being disgusted with myself for writing such trash.  And when I found it and re-read it I was like, "...hey, this is actually just about the best thing I've ever written."

I typically hate EVERYTHING I write until awhile later.  And when I go back and look at it and realize that I do actually like it, it makes me want to write more and finish it. 

Also, I had a professor once tell me I was a robot who refused to feel emotions and make mistakes.  It pretty much changed my life.  Haha.  I could never finish a story before she said that to me because I kept finding fault in my plots and my logic and my writing and myself.  Now I'm much more relaxed.  Writing is supposed to be a release; who cares if it isn't perfect?  That's what EDITING is for!  Haha.  If you don't like what you're writing, just keep going.  It might turn into something.

[sold]

I agree. I am also a robot (if you have remained a robot, otherwise 'I am a robot').

As for writing, try observing something and expanding on it. Meaning, take a nuance, or small detail. I actually do this almost every second of the day, but I rarely write them down and they'd probably be very short if I did. I tried to write one down about me deciding to put the forks away the opposite way I usually did (prongs curving down).

[ironypills]

I dislike most things I have written.

Particularly First.

Does everyone read this topic as "Blockcertera" ?

Also, A word map is.. a word.. map.

There's a picture of one in the picture thread on about page 11? Before themilkman and miss reed did their thing!

[aslidsiksoraksi]

looks like a mess of words

on page 13 btw. on page thirteen btw.

the above is a word map