How Do You Get Over Writer's Block?

[violentivy]

I usually hit my head against a wall repeatedly.

then I go here.

One word

[freydis]

I usually hit my head against a wall repeatedly.

then I go here.

One word

Doesnt seem to work anymore.... :(

[violentivy]

nope, just temporarily broken.

[Sybil]

I have been suffering writer's block, hell, a complete creative block in every aspect for around 7 month's now. I start to feel something, words coming, thought's forming and then poof, they are gone. All I am left with is trite garbage. Even my photography has been lacking with a few rare exceptions. So what have you found that has worked to get your creative side cruising at full speed? What gets your imagination soaring? What unlocks your mind?

For "writer's block" - I read the dictionary.

(SERIOUSLY.. it has NEVER failed -me-.)

For "lack of creative juices all together" - I grab a close friend, jump in the car and drive around taking pics of graffiti.

I am learning to sew, and design - teaching myself - and for inspiration there, I do small online clothing searches, and sometimes one lil fold will spark my imagination and before ya know it.. Wildfire, baby.

Break the block, grrl!!

[SuZQZ]

Thank you all for your great suggestions. I've been trying some of them here and there. I've recently been able to get a few phrases down, or written words down that evoke an emotion or an image. I will start playing with what I've got so far and see if I can build on any of it. Definitely going to be a slow process getting my head back in to it fully.

[Sybil]

Suggestions are somehow inspirational, too, huh?!

Reading people's suggestions got my artistic fingers tappin'.

Go SuSQZ, GO!

Have you posted in "Your Creations" on here..?

*goes to have a look-see...*

[SuZQZ]

No.... I've only ever posted two items, both short poems on MySpace... most of what I write is for me, or at least that's what I tell people to hide the fact that I wouldn't be able to handle critisism of something so personal that comes from so deep within me Yep, I'm a wuss with a thin skin when it comes to that!

[Scales]

I do a LOT of writing, it's one of the few things I still can find some enjoyment out of.

If you write what your passionate about, it will come easy. If you have people who want to read what you want to write, it helps a lot. It doesn't matter how long you write, any non-constructive criticism is going to come off as inflictive at some level.

[creatureofthenyte]

No.... I've only ever posted two items, both short poems on MySpace... most of what I write is for me, or at least that's what I tell people to hide the fact that I wouldn't be able to handle critisism of something so personal that comes from so deep within me Yep, I'm a wuss with a thin skin when it comes to that!

Kinda sounds like to me, that you try to edit your words, as you're writing them.

Ive been there, and done that.

It usually doesn't work.

It's frustration that doesn't have to take place.

Don't do that.

For me, the only writing I do these days, are posts and occassional PM's on DGN, and a stray email or two here and there. I blog on myspace, but not very often. I have to have something in mind in order to write a blog. An inspiration, like if something or someone made me happy for some reason; or pissed me off. Like right now, if I felt like it, I could write a blog about the incredibly frustrating first day at work, back from vacation.

So, maybe you should put the writing down and step away from it, until an idea bites you.

[know_buddy_kares]

personally, i find the most sensitive and controversial topics, and then decide to make fun of them in ways that everyone should be offended by. Is it right? No... But is it my muse to cure my writer's/creating block? You bet it is!

here's my latest for example...

[Shujin Ghost]

I get blocked from time to time. What works for me, I play music that has a strong emotional stir in me and I listen to it over and over again. It really depends on what I'm trying to write and convey across to the reader for instance - Eminem - Lose Yourself . . . it starts out okay but by the end of the song . . . I'm just ready to kick the world in the face.

Metallica - Sanitarium . . . another good one. Or Linkin Park but right now, I am liking Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

I started writing a book more along the lines of a motivational piece but, I had to put it on hold since I couldn't dedicate the time to write fully the way I'd have liked. I write in pieces, I will get the idea out of my head and then end that part making sure that its a complete thought written out so I can go back and re arrange it if need be.

I know of a friend, who will not write until she lights an incense and some candles.

So I guess you have to find the things that really reach in and grab an emotional response from you that someway you can make your own 'ritual'

[Vivian]

Heh, I get this question alot. When I'm stuck in a writers block, I think of funny things my muse could be doing. Like my muse is in the bahamas, dressed in a ballarina outfit, trying to learn how to hula, while bouncing on a pogo stick.

Or my muse is stuck in a museum thats being robbed, and is desperately trying to pull off a *davinci code* thing.

Or my muse is visiting inuits living in an igaloo, taking faygo baths and being dyed pink.

Silly stuff like that. It's an exercise I teach to writers when they are behind on deadlines. Put your creative energy into a humanoid form, name it your muse, and make him or her learn to do the cha-cha.

Hope that helps,

Viv

[torn asunder]

one thing i've done in the past, is ask people to give me a topic, and a mood/tone for the piece, and maybe a form, if they're knowledgeable. it seems i can rise to a challenge, but can't just write for "me"...

[SuZQZ]

More great suggestions. Thank you all SO much. I've been jotting down a lot of phrases and thoughts, even a simple word that stirs me, while testing out some of your tricks. Just the fact that I am able to form actual phrases is thrilling me. Maybe I'm slowly starting to get back. I'm not going to force it, though. I'm going to just keep "collecting" until utter inspiration fills me and the right words come to me.