Hello all,

I’ve been away for a while (what? I hear some of you type) and am trying to get myself back into the habit, which I’m finding surprisingly difficult?

Why have I been away? Oh go on, indulge me please, I need the attention.

Way back in October, I was made redundant (which is not really as bad as it sounds). Great, I thought, nice fat pay off and plenty of time to rewrite my book (It had just had a visit from the book doctor and needed some work). However, things didn’t go according to plan. Instead of getting on writing like a maniac I got severe, no extreme, writers block. It was so bad that I couldn’t even read, let alone write, I couldn’t even join in on Write Words, just about the only thing I could do was crosswords.

Now then, one day just before Christmas I got my first job rejection, and wham the dam burst and I was off writing again. I’ve rewritten the first three chapters in two weeks, and here I am trying to reacclimatise myself to you lot of lovely people.

So does anyone else have any writers block experience to share?

Grinder

Grinder,

I don't get writer's block but I do suffer 'writer's reluctance' frequently. However, I don't have a hang-up about being reluctant; instead, I tend to take it as a sign that, for whatever reason, I don't actually want to write this particular piece today. And there's little point, at least to me, in writing stuff I don't want to write. How I get round the reluctance is by always having at least three different projects to switch between, one of which is purely for me: writing my diary. In other words, there is always something I can write - because you can't really get writer's block with a diary.

Something else I did about twenty years ago was to write an A4 page every day - and it had to be every day - about the first thing that came into my head. But the writing had to be as meaningful as I could make it, as if I was writing for a newspaper, not just crap pouring out of my brain. I did that for a year and a half, and still feel the benefits today: I can sit down anywhere and write immediately about anything. Although I did this for my writing, it's also been very useful in my day jobs.

Philip Pullman said recently that there's no such thing as writer's block to a professional writer - which may sound harsh but I think it's true. After all, you can't really turn up for work then sit at your desk all day doing nothing, saying, "Sorry, boss, but I've got employee's block today."

Hi Grinder,

Yeah, I've suffered it too. It has sometimes happened if I've got emotional issues I dont't want to think about. I guess because writing can be a personal/emotional thing, it was too close to comfort. But on the other hand, sometimes writing has helped me get through those times. I've always kept a diary, though, for the past thirteen years, so like Terry, I've always been writing something.

I've said it (possibly) hundreds of times before on here and I'll say it again as I'm sure some new people might see it: the answer is Julia Cameron! Every writer must read The Artist's Way.

I really wanted to get some writing done this weekend and yesterday I was just sat staring at my PC not knowing where the hell to go next with Tash & Kev chap 9. So then I did all those procrastinating things - washing up, filing nails, etc., etc (even had a saucepan fall out of a cupboard on my head, but alas, that didn't knock any inspiration into me). Nothing happened. So then this morning, I woke up did Morning Pages (as recommended by Julia Cameron - similar to what Terry did with writing one page, except it's 3 pages.) and a whole load of ideas for what to put in the rest of the chapter came out. Trust me, it never fails.

Cath

I like the Philip Pullman comment, but disagree. If there was no such thing as writer's block, then how come so many professional writers talk about it? And there are plenty of people who get employee's block too. You should see me on a cold Monday morning...yep, that's right. I should be in work even now!

I don't get it a lot, but agree with the 'reluctance' thing. If I'm not fired up to work on my new novel, I'll edit my first one, or write a short story. The biggest block i've had came earlier this year because I needed to write some scenes set in London and felt I didn't know the city well enough for what I wanted to convey. A weekend in London armed with a camera, a note book and lots of free time cured me of that.

I hope it gets busted away soon mate.

JB

Grinder - not writer's block, any more, though until I joines WW in late 1993 I'd had a 4-year block!! But, I've just emerged from a reader's block - I normally have about 5 books on the go at once - which lasted from mid-December till now; just glutted and bloated, I suppose, and needed to give the old head-sponge an airing-out.


Mike

<Added>

'joined', that should be.......

Grinder,

plenty of time to rewrite my book

That, in my view, is the cause of the problem. There’s something about having to grab every moment you can when your time is limited.

Someone said recently (can’t remember who) that he’d written his first novel in twelve months while working full time. It sold well enough for him to give up his job and become a full-time writer. It took almost three years to write the second novel.

Dee

Thanks for all the comments, enlightenment and encouragement.

This is a funny old game isn’t it.

Grinder

Read an interesting book which dealt with this subject by the American novelist James N Frey (no, I'd never heard of him either). He wrote a whole little story which illustrated the point beautifully and involved a bricklayer who came in to work one morning and decided he couldn't actually build that wall because he had "Bricklayers block", a condition which was fully appreciated by his boss who sent him home for a nice day off.

Well, I thought it was funny, anyway.

Actually, when he had stopped being a smart alec, Frey made an interesting point which I thought cut right to the heart of the matter. What really causes writers block is the realisation that I/You/He/She is NOT Shakespeare, and while we might each be capable of knocking out an acceptable novel or short story or poem, maybe even be able to live by the pen, probably we'll never write The Great Novel. That's what we're really afraid of.

This isn't just a problem with writers. Artists get it too, so does anyone who has a dissertation or essay or report to write that they don't really want to do. If think you have the time to avoid it, you will. As simple as that. If what you are about to write is driving you mad with enthusiasm and drive then you won't be able to not write it, but if it's a bit of a dead-zone area and the sparks aren't firing, then most people will clean the house from top to bottom before they can sit down and work.

I think readers block is something different. If I'm anxious about things I find it very difficult to get into a new book. The only cure is to read a book you're already familiar with.

Colin M

I nearly always procrastinate, Colin - even if I'm really enthusiastic about what I'm writing. It's in my nature evidently! I agree with FX, though, what he is talking about is our 'internal critics' - quite often a major cause of writer's block.

Cath

I also like to take my time over a project, particularly if I'm having a ball with it, like the current one.

JB

FX: the bricklayer's job's laid out for him isn't it - he doesn't have to draw up the designs for the edifice he's building before getting out the hod:-0 I once had a two year block that wasn't to do with the realisation I'd never be Virginia Woolf or Charles Dickens, because I knew that aged 10, but down to the fact that I was totally lacking in any original thought during that time - hence the five novels I got to the 15,000 word mark and ditched:-( Luckily I had other things to keep me busy in that time, including an imperative to find alternative work to maintain a roof over our heads. I've decided the best thing to do is refashion fallow periods as extended leisure time and just enjoy other people's writing till mine starts flowing again;-) Shyama

I know this has nothing to do with what you guys are talking about, but would anyone like to read my work. I admit its really long (I should have only posted a bit of it) but I gave up my job to write the book that has been in my head for a year. I have written the first chapter (part of which is on here) but no-one has read it yet! Probably they scroll down and see how long it is and think 'No thanks'. If anyone wants to read only a wee bit of it I would be so happy - all comments welcome because I have very few people to ask to look over it Will look over any work of yours in return - for what it is worth! THank you in anticipation.

Hi Marj
I will look at your work gladly. I will get back to you. I am new on here and am finding my way around. I've submitted a few bits and pieces on here and only had a couple of comments myself. Perhaps I need to change my style or submit more but like you, would also appreciate some advice. I have just submitted a short story which seems, at first quite ordinary with husband and wife arguing but by the end you realise what a psychologically damaging person the wife really is!!!

I will read your work and get back to you.

Lois

Hi Marj
Me again!! you haven't posted any work! where can I find it?!

Lois x