Writer's block or writer's best friend?
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Now we rejoin our regularly scheduled blog already in progress . . . Writer's block can actually be a writer's best friend. I know some of you are probably thinking, "Huh?" Others are thinking I must be a glutton for punishment. (Yep, sometimes I think I am; but that's another blog.)
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.
Coming up this week and next: Write for yourself not the market, real dialogue for real characters, writing & critique groups, music I listen to while writing, and how I plot a book.
And coming up on Saturday: Instead of the Saturday Fun Pic, I'll have the Saturday Fun Read. Quite some time ago, I posted part of Chapter 1 of The Trouble With Demons. Since I've done some editing/tweaking to it, and since there are a lot of new readers to my blog, I'm going to post the revised version.
Lisa
Now we rejoin our regularly scheduled blog already in progress . . . Writer's block can actually be a writer's best friend. I know some of you are probably thinking, "Huh?" Others are thinking I must be a glutton for punishment. (Yep, sometimes I think I am; but that's another blog.)
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.
Coming up this week and next: Write for yourself not the market, real dialogue for real characters, writing & critique groups, music I listen to while writing, and how I plot a book.
And coming up on Saturday: Instead of the Saturday Fun Pic, I'll have the Saturday Fun Read. Quite some time ago, I posted part of Chapter 1 of The Trouble With Demons. Since I've done some editing/tweaking to it, and since there are a lot of new readers to my blog, I'm going to post the revised version.
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
8:05 AM
5 Comments:
That is exactly how I think of writer's block. I wasn't "listening" closely enough. : )
It's frustrating, but something worth paying attentiong to. I like your idea of the road sign, indicating the bridge is out. Good way to think about that. : )
Hi Stacey!! I was just over on your blog. Have fun in NY meeting your new editor! I've been working with Anne for over two years, and I still haven't met her. ; )
And I can commiserate with the greyhound boo-boos. They're the only kind of dogs Derek and I have ever had that we need to keep a first-aid kit for. That thin skin does get its share of scrapes, and when something runs that fast, there's bound to be foot boo-boos. In fact indirectly because of running, we had to take Andy to the emergency vet Friday night (nothing serious). He was running in the backyard, doing his normal rambunctous thing, bumping into Gracie and trying to get her to run with him. Well, "Princess Grace" considers herself too dignified to run. Andy kept pestering her, so she bit him. It was just a nip on the ear, but it was enough that we knew the boy needed some antibiotics. And of course it was after 5:00, so our vet was closed. So it's off to the emergency vet. A little cleanup and surgical glue and he was fine. They sent us home with a big, honkin' bottle of antibiotics. Fortunately I can just toss it on top of his food -- that boy will eat anything. We should have named him Jethro. ; )
Ouch, poor Andy! And yet I know how that works. Joe used to do that to Snowy until she'd finally snap at him and growl, like, leave me alone!
Walker and Joe haven't had that kind of issue, except Walker in general is too boisterous and often walks all over Joe, literally, to get to us, the treats, food, etc. Oy.
I loved meeting Christian--he was awesome!!!! I'm really looking forward to working with him. : ) I'm going to write more about NY in a blog post this week.
Gracie snaps and growls whenever Andy gets pesky, too -- only this time she made contact. We know better than to think that Andy learned his lesson. ; )
I'm so glad you love your editor!! It is wonderful beyond words to have someone who's has the same vision for your books as you do. : )
I was giggling like the crazy person I am at work over the comment "The bridge is out. Go back, stupid!"
It's keeping me entertained all day.
However, it is very true - going down the wrong path makes a lot of sense.
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