|
Home / Writing
When Getting Stuck Goes Amuck
By:Sean North
Many of us have always wanted to write. We have all gotten writer’s block. What happens when we are stuck? Can we go to a doctor for having writer’s block? Are there any "writing doctors" that prescribe medication to overcome what to write about or how to stress our premise?
Having writer’s block is normal and can occur in many different fashions:
* Having a lack of focus (Lacking a clear topic and premise to write about)
* Trying to do too many things while writing, such as talking on the phone and doing the laundry
* Being distracted by others while trying to write
* Lacking time allocation to writing
Don’t worry. Writer’s block can be overcome. What are some exercises to help overcome writer’s block?
One way is to get outside of your head and interrupt your dormant pattern. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Take a leave from your present writing environment
Taking a leave does not have to be measured in days. Sometimes only hours or even minutes are necessary to shift your mode into creating what you want to write. Here are some methods that have worked for me.
a. Write while watching television
There are always many images and thoughts that come on TV. I wanted to write a nonfiction book about historical inspirational people. I was tired of just looking at a computer screen and opted to watch TV to interrupt my dormant pattern. I took a notebook and pen with me, turned on the television and began to surf the channels.
I wrote one of my chapters from my book, "Inspired to Achieve," while watching television. I was watching a biography on Abe Lincoln. There were so many great things that I did not know about him that I was inspired to write about his many accomplishments. I took many notes on Lincoln’s accomplishments and incorporated many points that I wanted to parlay to the readers.
b. Write while surfing the web
I wrote a chapter about Charles Lindbergh from "Inspired to Achieve" while surfing the web. I knew even less about Lindbergh than I did about Lincoln. After finding out about all that Lindbergh did to make his historical flight, I was inspired to write the entire chapter that night.
Of course, there are many ways that you can take a leave from your present writing environment. Other ways to generate great ideas and overcome writer’s block can be while you’re doing one of your hobbies, exercising, on vacation, eating lunch, talking on the phone, listening to music, etc.
c. Write while finding "your" quiet place.
Find a space with just you where your thoughts can flourish. That place can be found in numerous places.
* A part of your home devoted to your writing focus and privacy
* A library
* A restaurant or café, particularly during non-peak hours
* A coffeehouse
* A bookstore, such as Border’s or Barnes & Noble
* An empty classroom at a school
* A park or a playground
* A museum
Your writing place is sacred. Your writing place should inspire you to write your best. Your writing place should make your writing flourish. Your writing place can occur in more than one place. Of course, where your best writing occurs will be up to you.
Just interrupting your dormant pattern can overcome writer’s block. You will be able to get a new perspective on what you want to write. A temporary change in environment can be one of the best ways to generate new and fresh ideas.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: Writer's Block, Writing, Article Writing, Success, Motivation, Inspiration, Patience
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
Sean North primarily helps writers gain focus, motivation, remove mental blocks that help to unblock the writing process.
EVERYONE who writes has been stuck at some point in his or her career. You do not have to accept these mind-boggling roadblocks!
seannorthstn@aol.com
(586) 216-7516
|
|
| Top Writing Articles |
|
|
- 2). It’s Good To Be A New Writer: Breaking The Myth That Experience Is Everything By : Shelley Wake
There’s a rumor out there in the publishing world that an editor won’t even look at the work of a new writer. It might be true for certain types of writing, but after interviewing hundreds of editors, I’ve found that most are more open to new writers than you might think.
And there are a few major benefits to being a new writer too. So before you spend too much time trying to work out how you can appear to be a published professional writer when you’re not, consider taking advantage of your current position as a newcomer.
|
- 3). Penguin Publisher Reveals What It Really Takes To Get Published. By : Sharif Khan
Mr. David Davidar began his career in journalism and is founder of Penguin Books India. Currently, he is Publisher of Penguin Canada and also is author of the novel, The House of Blue Mangoes.
How did you first get started in the publishing business?
Twenty years ago I was working in Bombay and there was a colleague I knew who had done a publishing course at Harvard.
|
- 4). A Few Magazine Publishing Terms By : Scott Lindsay
The business of writing for magazines is often speculative in nature. It can often seem fruitless to conduct research on available paying magazines, attempt to understand their style and unique requirements, write the article, send the article, and then wait for what can seem a never ending response.
It can be even more daunting when you have invested significant time and energy and have received multiple rejection slips.
|
- 5). The Psychology Of Effortless Writing By : Saleem Rana
Through writing I can convey my entire experience so that someone else can benefit from it and learn from that experience without having had to be there. So, by writing I can give others much more than I can in person. In addition, writing bends time and I can convey my experience to someone centuries away.
|
- 6). Tricky Decisions By : Kael
Some people know exactly what to look for at the bookstore – others spend hours without finding what they have in mind…
Did you ever mistake the body lotion tube for the toothpaste a sleepy morning? No? Good, it’s not the best way to start the day.
This might be an awkward approach if you're aiming at the problem of choosing literature, but frankly, haven’t you too picked the ‘wrong’ book by a random grab at the bookshop or at the library? The book you put away with a sigh after three chapters.
|
|
|
- 8). Ebook Design (HTML) By : Shelley Lowery
When designing an HTML compiled ebook, you must create an HTML document (web page) for each page within your ebook. These pages should include
|
|
|
- 10). A Blank Paper By : William Ramos
A BLANK PAPER…is what I came up with after racking my brain to sweet talk you, sweep you off your feet; but as I crown myse
|
| New Writing Articles |
|
|
- 2). Seven Ways To Sabotage Your Self Publishing Success By : Sanyika Calloway-Boyce
Are you sabotaging your success as an author? Would you like to know how not to waste time and money? Seven Ways To Sabotage Your Self Publishing Success reveals the secrets that you need to know and avoid so you can write, publish and promote your book to self publishing success!
|
|
|
- 4). How to Proofread Like a Professional By : Jaya Schillinger
Copyright 2006 Jaya Schillinger
Even as I wrote the title for this article, I got confused. Is "proofread" one word or two? I thought it was two, and my spell checker didn't have a problem with that, but when I double-checked myself with a popular on- line dictionary, I was able to catch my mistake. Proofread is in fact one word, "proof·read v. tr.
|
- 5). Benefit We Gain from Problem Solving By : Carol Miller
The real fact on this Earth is that no human being has ever lived without problems a single day. This is impossible. People deal wit problems every day and problems do not fade away by themselves, they stay until the person resolves them. When a person gets strong enough to overcome stress and get to the core of things, then the amount of problems lessens.
|
- 6). Self Publishing, A Miracle Of The 21st Century. By : Josephine Stungger
Are you a writer with lots of talent but no one will give you the time of day let alone a contract? Would you pay a professional publisher to make your book but can't afford it? Do you need a better tool than your plain old word processor to make your work look more professional and desirable? Do you possess special knowledge that if packaged in a book.
|
- 7). Storylines Crop Up at the Oddest Moments By : chicho
There I was on a restful weekend by the sea; enjoying coffee and croissant in a quaint little café at the end of the North Shore pier.
Looking outside through a musty rain smattered window my gaze was attracted to the contours of the magnificent edifice that is Blackpool Tower; drinking in the lines of the intricate steel framework that leads to the observation deck, to the twin platforms one above the other, and all the way up to the crow’s nest.
|
- 8). Choose Great Research Topics By : Denton Krypps
Doing research and writing research papers does not actually have to be as horrible as everyone makes it out to be. I have learned to enjoy the process of research from start to finish. Call me crazy if you will, but I guarentee that the future of your educational career can be much more enjoyable if you learn now to enjoy research. For me, enjoying it started with choosing the right research topics.
|
- 9). The Perils And Pitfalls Of Publishing: Who Can An Author Trust? By : Dee Power And Brian Hill
One out of every eight people call themselves a writer, which means there are roughly 24 million people in the United States who carry that banner. Unfortunately there are charlatans and scam artists just waiting to ambush the unsuspecting author. How can a novice writer protect themselves?
Anyone can call themselves a publisher. Always remember money flows towards the author from the publisher, not the other way round.
|
- 10). Jokes and Riddles - How To Write Them By : Steve Gillman
Just listening to or reading jokes and riddles may "wake up" your brain, but it is creating them that really exercises your brainpower. The process requires you to use both logical and lateral thinking skills. How do you do it, then?
Jokes and riddle don't come to mind randomly. In fact, after watching how many comedians create their routines, I am convinced that they use what I call "humor algorithms," even if they do so unconsciously.
|
|
|
