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.
@ 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!
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!"
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.
Funny how mood influences writing.
ReplyDeleteThe Liz Shipton snippet!!!!! Truth!
ReplyDeleteI have felt all of these one time or another.
ReplyDeleteI 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?
ReplyDelete@ Moving with Mitchell -- Hahahaha, I know, right?
DeleteThese are good. And many are very true.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's too bad there aren't laxatives for writer's block!
ReplyDelete...I will never be a writer!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha
ReplyDeleteThe Picture of Delorean Gray. I died.
Also, Hemingway? Accurate.
XOXO
And the friends, when you get work published who claim oh I could do that but I don't have time!
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
DeleteMy brain is the embroidery:)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI wondered the same thing as Mitchell...
ReplyDelete"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
ReplyDeleteAll good and so true. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile as a writer. Also The Picture of Delorean Gray😂-Quinley
ReplyDeleteLove the Author Reading, Debra.
ReplyDeleteI love the symbolism of the embroidery. Thats how my mind feels when trying to write
ReplyDeleteIt's true, I haven't written for ages, not my fiction. I agree with Barbara.
ReplyDeleteI have so much trouble putting out short blog posts I am confident there is not a 60,000 word novel in me.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you.
DeleteAuthor reading, love it. :)
ReplyDeleteI tried writing a book, I'm more a short story type of person. lol
ReplyDeleteYou can tell by my blog that I am no writer but I appreciate the struggle.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be able to take the pressure!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete@ angela -- I take it there was a happy ending though!
DeleteYou are so right, sometimes the words are in there but they just don't want to make an appearance. Shy I suppose.
ReplyDeleteNot 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.
ReplyDeleteI hate when the novel doesn’t appear
ReplyDeleteI am seeing blank squares where pictures should be and on the previous posts the pictures have disappeared too.
ReplyDelete@ 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!
DeleteOut loud? Naaa, I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteOh, and 60,000 words? AI could crank that out in an hour.
ReplyDeleteHow 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!"
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI tried writing short stories once. Worst semester of high school ever. Had writer's block.
ReplyDeleteThis might be the most accurate post ever! Thank you for expressing our pain in such an uplifting way!
ReplyDeleteI meant to say WRITERS, and not alcoholics, in spite of their alcoholism. I may have been under the influence when I left my comment.
ReplyDelete@ Kirk -- Hahahahaha! Thanks for clarifying!
DeleteI can so relate to these! 😂
ReplyDeleteThis also transfers to drawing for me.
ReplyDeletelololol, on the reading out loud.
ReplyDelete