This is true for making art and probably many other creative things too. I have a children's book in my head, maybe some day I can actually write it down. It's that blank page fear for certain.
We read from start to finish. We do not write that way. It's a blank page, so start by having a character staring at a blank sky, then jump to some Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Doesn't matter if you go backwards and forwards. Stay fluid until it starts taking on a life in your head.
I remember having writers block in school. I had to write a story that would comprise 30% of my final mark. As you can see it was a big chunk. I literally sat there for three days. Staring at the white paper thinking , omg I have no idea what to write. I nearly just dropped out to avoid doing it.
Not just Hemingway but also Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Kerouac, Capote, Robert Lowell, many more, though I like to think they were alcoholics IN SPITE of their alcoholism rather than because of it.
How many times have I started to write, but it never goes beyond one or two pages, then I re-read what I wrote and go "Holy crap! I'm really angry and badly need to go to therapy!"
@ River -- I get that sometimes too when I go to blogs -- it helps to "refresh" the page once or twice -- that often causes the images to be loaded properly. I hope this tip works for you too!
I think about writing a lot. While grocery shopping, cooking, showering, in the waiting room at the doctor's office, while walking the trail at the lake, while folding laundry, while cruising the webs. Gosh, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
45 comments:
Funny how mood influences writing.
The Liz Shipton snippet!!!!! Truth!
I have felt all of these one time or another.
I had tried to be an alcoholic, but decided against. Therefore, no great American novel from me. Why is the penis poking that brain with a stick?
These are good. And many are very true.
Yeah, it's too bad there aren't laxatives for writer's block!
...I will never be a writer!
Hahahaha
The Picture of Delorean Gray. I died.
Also, Hemingway? Accurate.
XOXO
@ Moving with Mitchell -- Hahahaha, I know, right?
And the friends, when you get work published who claim oh I could do that but I don't have time!
This is true for making art and probably many other creative things too. I have a children's book in my head, maybe some day I can actually write it down. It's that blank page fear for certain.
My brain is the embroidery:)
I am afraid tomorrow's blog post, is what happens when I have writers block, but I have a commitment to myself to "put out" on a daily basis.
I wondered the same thing as Mitchell...
"Don't they usually read out loud?"
Hahahahahahahaha!
If the back of your embroidery project looks like that first picture, you shouldn't be trying to embroider! LOL
All good and so true. Have a nice day.
This made me smile as a writer. Also The Picture of Delorean Gray😂-Quinley
Love the Author Reading, Debra.
I love the symbolism of the embroidery. Thats how my mind feels when trying to write
It's true, I haven't written for ages, not my fiction. I agree with Barbara.
I have so much trouble putting out short blog posts I am confident there is not a 60,000 word novel in me.
Author reading, love it. :)
I tried writing a book, I'm more a short story type of person. lol
You can tell by my blog that I am no writer but I appreciate the struggle.
I wouldn't be able to take the pressure!
We read from start to finish. We do not write that way. It's a blank page, so start by having a character staring at a blank sky, then jump to some Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Doesn't matter if you go backwards and forwards. Stay fluid until it starts taking on a life in your head.
I remember having writers block in school. I had to write a story that would comprise 30% of my final mark. As you can see it was a big chunk. I literally sat there for three days. Staring at the white paper thinking , omg I have no idea what to write. I nearly just dropped out to avoid doing it.
@ angela -- I take it there was a happy ending though!
You are so right, sometimes the words are in there but they just don't want to make an appearance. Shy I suppose.
Not just Hemingway but also Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Kerouac, Capote, Robert Lowell, many more, though I like to think they were alcoholics IN SPITE of their alcoholism rather than because of it.
I hate when the novel doesn’t appear
I am seeing blank squares where pictures should be and on the previous posts the pictures have disappeared too.
Out loud? Naaa, I don't think so.
I'm right there with you.
Oh, and 60,000 words? AI could crank that out in an hour.
How many times have I started to write, but it never goes beyond one or two pages, then I re-read what I wrote and go "Holy crap! I'm really angry and badly need to go to therapy!"
@ River -- I get that sometimes too when I go to blogs -- it helps to "refresh" the page once or twice -- that often causes the images to be loaded properly. I hope this tip works for you too!
I think about writing a lot. While grocery shopping, cooking, showering, in the waiting room at the doctor's office, while walking the trail at the lake, while folding laundry, while cruising the webs. Gosh, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
I tried writing short stories once. Worst semester of high school ever. Had writer's block.
This might be the most accurate post ever! Thank you for expressing our pain in such an uplifting way!
I meant to say WRITERS, and not alcoholics, in spite of their alcoholism. I may have been under the influence when I left my comment.
@ Kirk -- Hahahahaha! Thanks for clarifying!
I can so relate to these! 😂
This also transfers to drawing for me.
lololol, on the reading out loud.
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