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bulbul mankani

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Have you experienced and overcome a writer's block? Share some tips that worked.

Its frustrating to be unable to get out the stories that seem to live inside you. There must be some constraint that causes a Freeze inside but it would be such a powerful tool to share with us the Frozen ones.

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Topics: creative science creative writing death of creatives
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    edward long 100+

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    Nov 29 2011: I cannot come up with the right words to answer your question.
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    bulbul mankani

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    Nov 14 2011: yes.. i have been unable to read too... will talk to someone!
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    bulbul mankani

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    Nov 14 2011: Deadlines are good friends! I have none at the moment so maybe that is a part of the problem ;)
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    Tony Kuphaldt 10+

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    Nov 13 2011: One thing 've done to get "un-stuck" in my writing is to change my daily routine: the times of day I do regular activities, the places I go, the routes I take, the hobbies I participate in.

    Although not a tip, an important thing I've learned about writing is to give time for your creative impulses. If the urge to write comes upon you, push aside as many other distractions as you can and indulge that urge. My "best" writing has usually come from those times I just felt compelled to write. If, on the other hand, you just can't seem to put any good words down in print, stop forcing yourself and go do something else. Of course, all this is easier said than done, especially if you are a writer with deadlines!
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Nov 13 2011: When writing some of my theses I did encounter writer's block. Sometimes I found that it arose out of having my own natural forms of expression girdled and strangled by the format. Even in that constraining environment, I just tried to put one foot ahead of the other. If I could not write on one part and the words were just not coming, I tried to write on any part in any order that woud come. If I could not write it in proper scholarly format and language I just wrote it my way and then edited it later. Eventually I could just reorder things and often, getting an easier part simply expressed made expressing the more difficult or blocked parts easier. It was something like removing a blockage in a pipe further up and the accumulating water pressure pushed out the crucial blockage. (Not even sure I am making myself clear).

    One interesting thing to note is that stress can create not only writers block but the extreme form closer to break down makes a person unable to read. If you ever find yourself in this situation, it is important to talk to someone.

  • Shobhag Joshi

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    Nov 13 2011: Travel, take a journey like a tourist in your own backyard, observe your surrounding like a traveler, sit on the ground in, one of the corner of your house, where you have not gone for some time, (Surely there is some corner in house which we randomly visit) sit their quietly and observer and then travel as tourist (only in thoughts) rediscover your own surrounding, your own home and ultimately yourself ....hope it works…
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    bulbul mankani

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    Nov 13 2011: Yup Phillip- wrote some crappy stuff myself- three opening to a story- all sounded trite... ah well... I am just patting myself for making the effort!
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    bulbul mankani

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    Nov 9 2011: Read this today: Its not so important to be right as to just write ;)
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    Michael Doiley

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    Nov 8 2011: Hi Bulbul, in a similar vein to what Linda said, when I have a block, what works for me is not to solely concentrate on the 'project' but instead write about anything that spontaneously takes my fancy. A diary entry, a blog, a poem, a joke, an email, a text message or even other loose 'ideas' I may have floating around my brain. Perhaps there is a block because you are 'forcing' an idea to the front of the queue when other ideas are tryinging to come out at the same time, causing congestion at the exit point. You might even need an extra note-pad for jotting down random thoughts that you can get back to later. This may help with your flow and always give you something to work with. Keep well, Michael.
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      bulbul mankani

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      Nov 8 2011: thanks michael... I am still running away from writing but i think i will ease off the pressure!
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    Thomas Jones 100+

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    Nov 8 2011: Write.

    That's pretty much it.

    Don't wait for inspiration. Don't wait until you have something to say. Don't wait until you feel like it. Don't wait for the perfect strategy to overcome writer's block.

    Just write.

    ----

    Once you start writing just keep going.
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    Jacob Miller 10+

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    Nov 8 2011: Writing prompts are fun. Other than that just wait for it. Unless your on a deadline.
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      bulbul mankani

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      Nov 8 2011: Agree. Deadlines and rewards (like money in particular help) are the best kickstarts. I was hoping to get some stories out....

      Last time i was given a deadline I produced The Bollywood Cookbook!
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    Phillip McKay

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    Nov 8 2011: Hello bulbul. I writeand paint. I have never had a writers block. But have i written some crap? Oh yeah. That is more my problem.
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      bulbul mankani

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      Nov 8 2011: Hello Phillip,
      Dont be hard on yourself... at least you got the crap out!
      bulbul
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        Phillip McKay

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        Nov 10 2011: Thankyou Bulbul. I'll try to be a little less hard on myself. Hope your writing is beginning to flow?
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    Phillip McKay

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    Nov 8 2011: ummm...... well........
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    Denis Fitzpatrick

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    Nov 8 2011: Hi there !

    Just curious ... is there a story ready to be born ?

    Sometimes I wait weeks, even months for the next word, the next line ... but when it comes ... I can't contain the Joy!
    So I often remind myself, I'm not the one in control of this!

    Let me use a metaphor that has often guided me through the dry periods of my life :

    "Every day I build the prison from which I am trying to escape ! "

    Respectfully,
    Denis

    P.S. Hi Linda...and "No... I'm not tracking you !" Ha! I will probably post the question "as is"
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      Linda Hesthag Ellwein 50+

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      HostTED AttendeeTED TranslatorAssociate
      Nov 8 2011: Denis, you are a breath of fresh air! :)
      I like your metaphor. Clearly you take responsibility for your own hell. That's always a good thing! I think.hah.
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        Denis Fitzpatrick

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        Nov 8 2011: Yeah Linda... hell is often self-created, but we are never far from the Garden... are we...?!

        I've never actually read all of Dante's "Divine Comedy"... but when he places the escape from hell, at the very center of hell... I understand what he means !

        Anyway... thanks for your kind remarks Linda...

        Gotta go !
        D.
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    Linda Hesthag Ellwein 50+

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    HostTED AttendeeTED TranslatorAssociate
    Nov 8 2011: This may sound a bit silly, but Facebook worked for me. When I struggled to get on paper what I needed to, I wrote to myself in Facebook private messages. I started simply journaling, or writing short notes. Within a couple of days, I was writing a lot! My theory is it was the small size of the window, and then getting rid of it...which cleared space for the next thought. It didn't overwhelm me, and helped me to keep it simple. It's worth a try, right? :D

  • Robert Galway 20+

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    Nov 8 2011: Blogging.
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