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I would be interested to hear how others get over writer's block (or lack of motivation). Please share.
They give me deadlines. I have to get motivated or I'll miss the deadline, and they won't like working with me any more. Then I'll have to go out and hustle some more. No like hustle. Like steady work. Get steady work by make editor happy happy.
Deadlines have a way of reminding me of long-forgotten facts I can incorporate into an article. If I don't have a deadline I force myself to write something even if it's terrible.
Writer's block, in my opinion, is the sign of an unprepared writer.
I think one of the great myths about writing is that you simply sit down at your computer and the words flow magically out of your fingertips. That's really not the case, particularly in the case of fiction. You need to understand what you're about to write, who the characters are, and where you're going with matters before you actually write the novel or the short story. Otherwise, you're staring at the blank page, wondering what comes next.
That doesn't mean you can't hit a hot streak without notes. That doesn't mean that you won't get stuck with notes. But, almost always, preparation will get you out of a jam, and will really feed your storytelling. Before sitting down to write my current novel, I had 35,000 words worth of notes. So I'm more worried with what to leave out rather than blowing air into the thing.
(Real) writers write. Sometimes you just write, no matter how dumb it is to you. Sometimes that triggers a "flow." Sometimes give a main character an off-the-wall (out of the blue, unexpected)personal glitch and go with that, weave it in if you can.
Keep asking yourself, "what if this? And, what if that" (happens). In fiction, keep your readers turning pages with the unexpected.
Deadlines are very good too...but cruel!
If you are dealing with negative real-life issues, deal with them, with a goal of making yourself more positive. If you are positive you have more faith in yourself and can get back to your work. And if nothing works, turn off the word processor and go do something you like, feed your soul.
If your muse doesn't come home to roost, find another outlet for your art than writing.
I have learned over the years not to let it bother me, it will come back, but I only write for myself so have no deadlines.. When I really want to get my self started, I find that relaxation and just closing my mind and eyes off to everything around me and just allow my imagination and memories to take over...
You sit in the chair and you write...if you wait for inspiration you might be waiting a while. First drafts stink as a rule, don't worry about it, just get something down. A book isn't written...it's rewritten.
Yes, the horror of having pen in hand and confronting a blank page.
I write for recreation, no deadlines. Mostly I write fantasy, bizarre absurdities.
When the writer's block strikes I remember the Surrealists' style...just write the words that come into your head. Don't stop, just keep writing. The mind loosens and maybe you come up with some strange paragraphs. It usually takes about 3 or 4 lines before the mind flows effortlessly. Some stuff I've written like this caused me to laugh out loud.
I always start with paper. Then to the computer, into InDesign or QuarkXpress.
The only time I ever get writer's block, is when I have to write about something I am unfamiliar with, that my research hasn't helped me uncover or reveal. I've heard it a million times...write about what you know...but when you are writing fiction, that is not always going to happen. Then what I do is try to find a way to write around what I don't know...so that the reader won't notice. It's not always easy, but it's what helps me.
Location: Everybody is going to hurt you, you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-B Marley
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I just start writing. About anything. About nothing. Take a chair outside and write about the first thing that catches your attention. Make it so anyone who reads it feels like they can see what you see. It often evolves into something unexpected.
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A book isn't written...it's rewritten.
