The
Upside of Writer's Block
Writer's
Block - It happens to all of us.
It's
a bit like erectile dysfunction. Unexpected and bloody annoying.
Taken
in the right frame of mind, however, it can be very useful.
Everyone
needs a holiday, and if you think of writer's block in terms of
time-out to regroup your creativity, then it's not such a bad thing.
Maybe,
all your brain needs is a change of direction.
Each
day for about an hour I walk my two dogs, Marisol and Lorca. This
time out from writing, gives me the opportunity to rethink what I
have written that morning. Writer's block is like my dog walking, it
gives you valuable thinking time, and a break from the intensity that
writing a novel, an article, a poem or a short story, demands of your
creative juices.
Considering
writer's block to be a mini-holiday, stopping your brain from
exploding, changes it from a bad thing to a good thing.
The
reason you get writer's block in the first place is because the
creative part of your brain is totally full. It needs to have an
ideas clear out.
If
like me, you are a compulsive writer, and by compulsive I mean, you have
to write every day, and if possible, most of the day. It's only
natural for the mind to say, 'Enough. I need a break.' and if you,
like me, are in the habit of ignoring this plea for mercy, then that
creative part of your brain will rebel, go on strike, and shutdown.
Can
you avoid writer's block? I think to a point you can. It's not easy
though. We, you, are in the midst of the best prose you have ever
written, are you going to stop? Stupid question really – the answer
is – an emphatic – NO. You keep writing and writing until wham
--- nothing of any value is being written down, then you don't have a
choice, you have to stop.
So,
here you are, looking at the screen with not a single useful thought
in your head.
How
to overcome this situation. Trust me it takes more than a walk with
the dogs.
You
need a strategy.
And
you need to ignore the twitch in your fingers that says, I need to
type. You don't. Well you do, but you shouldn't.
What
you should do. Is forget that you are a writer. Become, something
else. Anything else. Just not a writer.
Reading
other peoples books is a great way to get your thoughts back in gear.
Don't read your usual choice of genre. Choose one that is completely
out there for you.
If
you don't normally read crime novels, then read them.
If
you are not the romantic type, force yourself to be.
Why
do this? It forces your mind out of it's normality. If you write
Paranormal, and you read only paranormal books, then there is no
respite for your poor saturated paranormal soaked brain.
And, if like me, you are a multi-genre reader, choose the genre you read the
least.
Do
the things you have been meaning to do, but have never got around to
doing, housework usually comes to my mind.
I
love this quote from J.K. Rowling, asked how she managed to fit in
working, being a single mother, and write her first Harry Potter
book, she replied, “I didn't do any housework for four years.” My
kind of girl, J.K. Rowling.
There
is no point in sitting staring into space trying to conjure up your
next chapter. If it's not there. It's just not there.
Take
a break from the guilt trip of – 'I should be writing.' If you
can't think of anything to write, then there is no point in trying to force
something that isn't going to come.
Get
up from your chair, close the lid on your laptop, and stop thinking
about your work in progress – it not progressing, so why waste your
time beating your head against a brick wall.
There
is lot of articles on the net about writer's block. They all have
their different theories as to why it happens, and how to overcome
it.
In
the end – it's yourself, who will overcome this lack of creativity.
And you will overcome it in your own individual way.
The
theorists blame a myriad of things, from distraction, to needing to
download their solution to writer's block software, as the reason you
are not writing.
Could it be that your brain is tired? You are sick of writing? Take a break
– stop worrying why your creativity has dried up, and get on with
other things.
It
is said that when you stop looking for something – it will often
find you.
For
some reason my creative ideas usually resurface when I am up to my
elbows covered in soapsuds doing the washing up. I'll not have been
thinking about my novel being stuck in a grove, then bam, out from
the ideas section of my mind, comes the best line I have ever thought
of. I have to rush to dry my hands, before this most stupendous idea
is lost back into the fog of my over active imagination. It's why I don't
have a dishwasher.
Dictionaries
define, writer's block, as a physiological inhibition preventing a
writer from proceeding with a piece of work.
Physiological
my arse. Boredom more like.
Your
brain is sick to death of having to keep coming up with words that
make some kind of sense, to a storyline you have agonised over, until
the proverbial cows have come home.
Relax
that poor overheated mind of yours. Take a rest from writing, go do something
else, and let the flow come back – because it will, in it's own
good time. You can't rush it. So don't try. Wait patiently. If all else
fails --- try washing up.
thanks
for reading this post...and if you enjoy my articles – please share
them --
The
Riotous Writer
My
latest novel – a humorous satire on sexual infidelity.
It's
not a Brothel – if it's a country house. The Rawlings Hall - '
Stress relieving spa for ladies'
More
of my books – through my American publisher.
The
Warlock's Woman
When a boy ghost meets a girl human in a hot-tub. Romance - Yes. Sex – Definitely.
UK Link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warlocks-Woman-Josephine-Sanchez-Vanner-ebook/dp/B00ASQELNI
Half
Blood
Vampires
– not the undead – but aliens from another galaxy.
article picture courtesy of debspoons by www.freedigitalphotos.net
