Wow. What a hectic past week. There was no interview Monday, as you may have noticed, but I really haven't had a second to do anything this week. However, I have a few great interviews lined up for the coming weeks :)
So, in the meantime, I thought I would discuss a topic I've been thinking about the last couple of days, especially since I went from writing chapter after chapter for my work in progress, to a complete dead end - staring at the page. Good old writer's block. Or is it?
What is writer's block, anyway? If we go off what WIKIPEDIA tells us, writer's block is a condition (Yes, a condition!) primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work or experiences creative slowdown.
So, what do you think of this definition? First of all, I wouldn't classify it as a 'condition'. I mean, let's be serious, can you imagine if you're a published author with deadlines, and you hand in a sick note due to writer's block? No, I don't think that would work, either.
To me, writer's block is just that. It's a mental block, where, for whatever reason, our creative juices stop flowing. Either way you look at it, as a condition or not, I want to know what you guys think is the 'cure', so to speak.
So, in the meantime, I thought I would discuss a topic I've been thinking about the last couple of days, especially since I went from writing chapter after chapter for my work in progress, to a complete dead end - staring at the page. Good old writer's block. Or is it?
What is writer's block, anyway? If we go off what WIKIPEDIA tells us, writer's block is a condition (Yes, a condition!) primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work or experiences creative slowdown.
So, what do you think of this definition? First of all, I wouldn't classify it as a 'condition'. I mean, let's be serious, can you imagine if you're a published author with deadlines, and you hand in a sick note due to writer's block? No, I don't think that would work, either.
To me, writer's block is just that. It's a mental block, where, for whatever reason, our creative juices stop flowing. Either way you look at it, as a condition or not, I want to know what you guys think is the 'cure', so to speak.
Take a look at the two images above. What do you agree with? I've seen many discussions on this, and in my opinion, I think BOTH are true. Well, not so much the first image, I don't believe that 'waiting' for inspiration means you are not a writer. It just means what it says, you're taking a break and waiting for inspiration to find you. And that's okay. Of course, at times, it's good to go looking for the inspiration you need (especially if you have a deadline) but at the same time, it's also good to be patient with yourself. To me, there's nothing worse than forcing inspiration. I've tried this many of times, and I find that the writing sounds forced. Nothing flows like it should. After all, if you're forcing something it's going to sound or read forced, and you don't want readers to feel that. You want your readers to feel what you were feeling at the time of writing. You want that emotion to spill off the page and into the reader. You want them to laugh. Cry. Cringe. Gawp. Feel everything. Not just read it and experience nothing.
But what if, for instance, you do have a deadline, or you're going through a serious bout of writer's block, even when you want to write? Well, fear not! I've decided to create a list of the things I could think of that may help anyone who is stuck behind that brick wall. If being patient hasn't worked for you, maybe it is time to go chasing that inspiration (look for it, don't force it) Think outside of the box. Sometimes inspiration can arise from things you wouldn't think of.
1) Books.
Yes. Books. Reading. Read until your eyes bleed. Or water. Seriously, take a break from your own writing and get submerged into a novel, or beta-read a fellow authors work in progress. I think this really helps to get that creative river running. There is nothing wrong with taking inspiration from other authors, (obviously, don't plagiarize) But sometimes we can take little snippets from novels, weather it be a theme through the book, a certain attribute of a character, a setting, etc, and then branch our own ideas on top of that. Try reading a different genre to what you normally read. Analyze the writing whilst you read. I literally sit with a notebook when I read, and jot down any ideas that spring to mind (and also the odd words here and there I spot and think, 'I'm sealing that word!' )
2) Magazines and newspapers.
These are a fantastic means to find inspiration. Have you ever come across those magazines that have people telling their life stories? Those are great to pick up on ideas and even characters. Same with newspapers - you will come across all sorts of articles, from murder investigations to cheating husbands....you get the drift.
3) TV
Of course, TV, movies, the news, series...all these things can spark some great inspiration. And as with books, don't just stick to the same genre's. Watch everything from 'Sex and the City, to Prison break. (Imagine these two shows as one? Ha!) Don't just concentrate on the characters, concentrate on everything from the camera angles, to scenery, to the dialogue. Sometimes the simplest line spoken by a character can trigger off an entirely different story in your mind.
4) Friends and Family.
If you're going to take more than inspiration and write about someone's life, make sure you ask the person if it's okay first. But it's always good to pay close attention when listening to your friends and family, and what hard times, or good times they're going through. You can take ideas, or, like I said, even ask the person if you could write about them.
5) Day to day dialogue
Okay, what I meant was eavesdropping. As long as you're not invading someones privacy, it's always good to fine tune your ears to what people are discussing around you. Ever been in a coffee shop or a restaurant and overheard people taking about something funny, embarrassing, or sad? You might just hear someone talk about an experience they had and think to yourself, 'that is something my main character would do'. And don't just do this in coffee shops, do it everywhere - walking down the street, in a supermarket...everywhere. Always listen.
Music:
This is a big one for me. Music has been the inspiration for many of my stories. For example, Slipknot's 'Prosthetics' is the song that gave me the idea for my short story, 'Can you see me?' which will be published around Halloween time in an anthology..And it's not just the lyrics that can set of an idea - use your ears, not only to listen to the vocals, but to hear the music. Sometimes just a tune can create a scene in your mind.
Writing, or book groups:
I've put this one here because I'm part of a (clinically insane) writing group 'Write n Rant'. We talk about the most bizarre of things sometimes, it's like the Mad Hatters Tea Party, and I can see how people would be able to get inspired, not only by discussions, but just by talking with other writers. I've had many fellow authors give me the starting point to great ideas. Book groups can be equally as inspiring, especially when people discuss parts of a novel they didn't like and how they believe it could have been better, or what parts were great. It's good to mingle with people who read the genre you write in to understand what they want as readers.
Blogs;
Just like this one, which I hope is inspiring someone right now to go and try some of these things out :) Get Google at the ready and search for writer's blogs. Most of them are filled with lots of tips and great advice. Actually, don't just Google writer's blogs, Google all kinds of blogs! Get inspired by peoples daily life ramblings!
Chill time:
Uh-huh. Chill time. Whatever it is you do in your free time: going for a walk in nature, exercising, sipping wine in the bath. Sometimes, these are the moments when the greatest of ideas hit you. This is where the 'be patient' side of writers block rings true. You could be doing absolutely nothing, and something marvelous will hit you. So go ahead and relax, you never now what your mind will create.
Dreams:
This is also a good one for me. For example, I had the craziest dream last night where I was on a revenge killing spree. I remember telling some random guy, whilst holding a knife to his jugular, 'You tore my family apart. No watch me tear yours apart." (I'm not a killer, I promise) But I wrote down what I could remember about that dream straight away. Never know when a revenge killing spree might come in handy. So, don't just brush those crazy, weird dreams off. Use them to your advantage. Sometimes your subconscious could be writing your story while you sleep!
Well, there all the things that came to mind, and some of the things that I use/do, when I'm struggling for inspiration. So go ahead and give it a try. You've got nothing to lose (just hours of sitting and staring at your PC or notebook) so why not try going after the inspiration yourself? If you've tired all these things and still cant manage to write, then maybe 'being patient' is all you can do. But don't beat yourself up about that. If you are a writer, what you need will come to you eventually. Don't ever give up or think that you can no longer write. That's just the easy road. Stay on that hard road, keep jumping those hurdles until you get where you want to be!
I'd love to know people opinions on this. Do you agree that if you have to wait for inspiration, you aren't a writer? Do you believe the opposite, that patience is the way to inspiration? Or do you think both are equally as important when it comes to inspiration? Of course, if there's anything else you guys can think of, or can share what you do to kick start that inspiration, let me know in the comments below :)
Until next time, keep writing, and SPILL those stories onto the page!
But what if, for instance, you do have a deadline, or you're going through a serious bout of writer's block, even when you want to write? Well, fear not! I've decided to create a list of the things I could think of that may help anyone who is stuck behind that brick wall. If being patient hasn't worked for you, maybe it is time to go chasing that inspiration (look for it, don't force it) Think outside of the box. Sometimes inspiration can arise from things you wouldn't think of.
1) Books.
Yes. Books. Reading. Read until your eyes bleed. Or water. Seriously, take a break from your own writing and get submerged into a novel, or beta-read a fellow authors work in progress. I think this really helps to get that creative river running. There is nothing wrong with taking inspiration from other authors, (obviously, don't plagiarize) But sometimes we can take little snippets from novels, weather it be a theme through the book, a certain attribute of a character, a setting, etc, and then branch our own ideas on top of that. Try reading a different genre to what you normally read. Analyze the writing whilst you read. I literally sit with a notebook when I read, and jot down any ideas that spring to mind (and also the odd words here and there I spot and think, 'I'm sealing that word!' )
2) Magazines and newspapers.
These are a fantastic means to find inspiration. Have you ever come across those magazines that have people telling their life stories? Those are great to pick up on ideas and even characters. Same with newspapers - you will come across all sorts of articles, from murder investigations to cheating husbands....you get the drift.
3) TV
Of course, TV, movies, the news, series...all these things can spark some great inspiration. And as with books, don't just stick to the same genre's. Watch everything from 'Sex and the City, to Prison break. (Imagine these two shows as one? Ha!) Don't just concentrate on the characters, concentrate on everything from the camera angles, to scenery, to the dialogue. Sometimes the simplest line spoken by a character can trigger off an entirely different story in your mind.
4) Friends and Family.
If you're going to take more than inspiration and write about someone's life, make sure you ask the person if it's okay first. But it's always good to pay close attention when listening to your friends and family, and what hard times, or good times they're going through. You can take ideas, or, like I said, even ask the person if you could write about them.
5) Day to day dialogue
Okay, what I meant was eavesdropping. As long as you're not invading someones privacy, it's always good to fine tune your ears to what people are discussing around you. Ever been in a coffee shop or a restaurant and overheard people taking about something funny, embarrassing, or sad? You might just hear someone talk about an experience they had and think to yourself, 'that is something my main character would do'. And don't just do this in coffee shops, do it everywhere - walking down the street, in a supermarket...everywhere. Always listen.
Music:
This is a big one for me. Music has been the inspiration for many of my stories. For example, Slipknot's 'Prosthetics' is the song that gave me the idea for my short story, 'Can you see me?' which will be published around Halloween time in an anthology..And it's not just the lyrics that can set of an idea - use your ears, not only to listen to the vocals, but to hear the music. Sometimes just a tune can create a scene in your mind.
Writing, or book groups:
I've put this one here because I'm part of a (clinically insane) writing group 'Write n Rant'. We talk about the most bizarre of things sometimes, it's like the Mad Hatters Tea Party, and I can see how people would be able to get inspired, not only by discussions, but just by talking with other writers. I've had many fellow authors give me the starting point to great ideas. Book groups can be equally as inspiring, especially when people discuss parts of a novel they didn't like and how they believe it could have been better, or what parts were great. It's good to mingle with people who read the genre you write in to understand what they want as readers.
Blogs;
Just like this one, which I hope is inspiring someone right now to go and try some of these things out :) Get Google at the ready and search for writer's blogs. Most of them are filled with lots of tips and great advice. Actually, don't just Google writer's blogs, Google all kinds of blogs! Get inspired by peoples daily life ramblings!
Chill time:
Uh-huh. Chill time. Whatever it is you do in your free time: going for a walk in nature, exercising, sipping wine in the bath. Sometimes, these are the moments when the greatest of ideas hit you. This is where the 'be patient' side of writers block rings true. You could be doing absolutely nothing, and something marvelous will hit you. So go ahead and relax, you never now what your mind will create.
Dreams:
This is also a good one for me. For example, I had the craziest dream last night where I was on a revenge killing spree. I remember telling some random guy, whilst holding a knife to his jugular, 'You tore my family apart. No watch me tear yours apart." (I'm not a killer, I promise) But I wrote down what I could remember about that dream straight away. Never know when a revenge killing spree might come in handy. So, don't just brush those crazy, weird dreams off. Use them to your advantage. Sometimes your subconscious could be writing your story while you sleep!
Well, there all the things that came to mind, and some of the things that I use/do, when I'm struggling for inspiration. So go ahead and give it a try. You've got nothing to lose (just hours of sitting and staring at your PC or notebook) so why not try going after the inspiration yourself? If you've tired all these things and still cant manage to write, then maybe 'being patient' is all you can do. But don't beat yourself up about that. If you are a writer, what you need will come to you eventually. Don't ever give up or think that you can no longer write. That's just the easy road. Stay on that hard road, keep jumping those hurdles until you get where you want to be!
I'd love to know people opinions on this. Do you agree that if you have to wait for inspiration, you aren't a writer? Do you believe the opposite, that patience is the way to inspiration? Or do you think both are equally as important when it comes to inspiration? Of course, if there's anything else you guys can think of, or can share what you do to kick start that inspiration, let me know in the comments below :)
Until next time, keep writing, and SPILL those stories onto the page!