Writer's block is a writer's best friend
I know some of you are probably thinking, "Huh?" Others are thinking I must be a glutton for punishment.
Any writer can tell you that writer's block is not fun. Actually it's about as far from fun as it gets. But for me writer's block doesn't mean I've run out of ideas, it means I've run down the wrong road. Writer's block is my muse's way of telling me, "The bridge is out! Go back, stupid!"
Forced plotting and putting words into your characters mouths is (at least for me) the surest way to contract a nasty case of writer's block. Listen to your characters. If what's coming out of their mouths sounds forced or out of character -- watch out, you're about to step into a whole mess of trouble.
Bugs Bunny knew what he was talking about when he said, "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."
When I get writer's block, that means I didn't take that left turn. It means I didn't see the signs; or if I did, I ignored them. It means I didn't listen to my characters. But most of all (and worst of all) it means my muse isn't going to let me go one word further until I find out where and how I took that wrong turn (aka screwed up), and go back and fix it.
So sit back, be quiet, and listen to your characters. Most times they know the story better than you do.
Any writer can tell you that writer's block is not fun. Actually it's about as far from fun as it gets. But for me writer's block doesn't mean I've run out of ideas, it means I've run down the wrong road. Writer's block is my muse's way of telling me, "The bridge is out! Go back, stupid!"
Forced plotting and putting words into your characters mouths is (at least for me) the surest way to contract a nasty case of writer's block. Listen to your characters. If what's coming out of their mouths sounds forced or out of character -- watch out, you're about to step into a whole mess of trouble.
Bugs Bunny knew what he was talking about when he said, "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."
When I get writer's block, that means I didn't take that left turn. It means I didn't see the signs; or if I did, I ignored them. It means I didn't listen to my characters. But most of all (and worst of all) it means my muse isn't going to let me go one word further until I find out where and how I took that wrong turn (aka screwed up), and go back and fix it.
So sit back, be quiet, and listen to your characters. Most times they know the story better than you do.
posted by Lisa Shearin at
3:30 PM
4 Comments:
I have found this to be true as well, and it applies to nonfiction as well as fiction. A while back I pitched what I thought were great ideas to an editor. She liked them as well and she wanted me to write the articles. However, writing them turned out to be not quite what I envisioned and the editor ultimately didn't buy any of them, even though she complimented one or two.
Lack of enthusiasm shows.
Yep, that's another "red flag" I've learned to recognize in my own writing -- if it feels like work, chances are it ain't working. If I don't enjoy writing it, no one's going to like reading it.
I only get Writer's Block when I'm depressed. I've learned when I get Writer's Block, it's time to take a break from writing and fix the depression problem. Once it's fixed I'm back to buzzing away!
:o)
A bad case of the blues will certainly put a damper on your will to write. And sometimes, you simply need a break and to step away from your desk. When you come back, you can approach your project from a rested and fresh perspective.
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