The Sweater Curse a Psycological Thriller will be released by Decadent Publishing on January 10, 2011 http://www.decadentpublishing.com/
Writer’s Block
Take Note
Piss off! You heard me. Leave. I don’t want you around. I don’t have anything for you—no money, no booze, no nothin’. Isn’t it bad enough that I’m trapped in this tin piss can without you tormenting me? I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone. I’m just fine on my own, thank you very much. I don’t need your help. I don’t need your pity. If you stay, one of the two of us is going to get hurt and I can guarantee it won’t be me. So get the hell out of my house! Why are you still here? Are you deaf, dumb, and stupid?
He found the note on the breakfast table. There it was beside his scrambled eggs and toast. He picked it up and read it out slowly. It was Saturday—he had the time.
He smiled. Smiled—at such a note? Was he insane?
Maybe. He did, after all, love a writer. That required some degree of insanity.
Yes, he smiled. He smiled because he knew her writer’s block was over. The clouds had lifted. The sun shone. The birds sang. All was right with the world. His wife was back at work. She had once again found her muse.
“Did you read it?” she enquired, with a kiss.
“Um, yes, well, yes. I did.”
“Well, what do you think?” she beamed inquisitively.
“It’s rather, well, strong.”
“Yes, I know, isn’t it? I’m not sure where it fits yet. Sometimes it’s like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. Only you don’t have to find all the corner pieces first. You just have to find a piece.”
Yes, he had to admit, it did help to be a little insane.
***
Oh, yes I’m very familiar with writer’s block. So, familiar, am I, in fact, that I’ve devised ways and means to overcome it. These strategies have worked for me—I hope they work for you.
Release: One word leads to another. So grab a pen and write the first thing that comes to your mind—how cute your boyfriend looks in jeans; what you love about your new job; the weather. Write.
While you write, don’t worry about word count, grammar or spelling. Simply allow words to pour out of your pen uncensored. The only goal here is to relax and release.
Pep talk: It’s often beneficial to seek the advice of others who’ve faced the same obstacle. So, talk with or read the books of fellow writers to discover their strategies.
Helpful books are Steven King’s On Writing, James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure, Nancy Lamb’s The Art and Craft of Storytelling.
Set goals: As a member of a critique group, my self-imposed expectation is that I have something to share at each meeting. If I don’t, my peers will know. For me, this external means of accountability is a strong motivator.
Other sources of motivation may be a daily word count or a weekly blog post.
Change of scenery: Sometimes unblocking can be as easy as going for a walk. Physical exercise allows my brain to work, while the rest of me is otherwise engaged.
If I consciously think about my writing at all, I focus on my reader.
I have to write—I don’t want, I can’t disappoint them. They’re counting on me.
I return to my project refreshed and ready to write.
You can find Leanne at; http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com/
http://www.oknitting.com/
17 comments:
Intriguing snippet there, Leanne, thanks! And Thank you for the great tips for writer's block, as well. What helps me when I'm stuck... I write something else, like poetry or a journal entry, just something completely different. It usually gets my juices flowing again. Happy weekend!
I love the snippet at the top. Great post, and really good points to make. Its amazing how much something as simple as going for a walk, or going to the gym helps!
Great snippet! I was drawn in and curious.
As a spin on the change of scenery tactic, I sometimes take the boys out for a walk or go for a workout. Getting the blood glowing sometimes helps get the words flowing for me.
I'm a little odd, in that, if one manuscript isn't working or flowing, I shift to another manuscript. I usually have three going good at any one time. I've also found too that if you end a scene in a logical place, it's a little harder to get going the next day. I leave my scenes just a little unfinished, but I know what I want to do with them when I sit back down. I finish the scene and move on to the next. It works for me.
When I sit at my computer too long, my creativity fizzles. I find that when I take a break away from my own thoughts it helps. I usually grab a snack, turn on the television, or read something else. If I rest for awhile, I can resume with a fresh outlook.
Thanks Leanne. All the best on the upcoming release of the Sweater Curse! Yeah!
Good tips! I also recommend naming the block and throwing it to the kraken.
But, honestly, the accountability one has helped me a lot. Once I set a goal with my agent or my editor, I will meet it. I might feel like I'm writing down crap, but it's always possible to edit crap and find gems...that's what composting is all about. But if you don't get the words down at all...hard to edit air!
Great tips, Leanne, and I love the hubby above. :-) I think most of us could appreciate such a man. When I struggle with writers' block, I find the release tactic, as you called it, works best for me. I write until something catches fire. I usually wind up dumping a bunch of crap, but once I make my fingers hit the keyboard, my muse hears the taping and comes out of hiding. She is such a nosey little thing.
What a wonderful surprise to come here and read all your comments. Thank you all.
Deena, write something else. Let your Muses' fight for their time, that's a great tip.
Ellen, thank you for your kind words.
That piece of flash fiction was first published in the Island Writer literary journal.
PJ, go for a workout. Great idea! And, after too much holiday eating, I need to follow through on that. : )
JM, nope not 'odd'--'smart'.
I like your tip about leaving an incomplete scene. However, my trouble is that I always want to know what's next.
Kathleen, I think following through on your tips would also ease the pressure. I find that a major obstacle in my writing.
Thank you for inviting me to your blog. I'm having tons of fun. : )
Maureen, good point. 'it's always possible to edit crap'--I like that.
Becca Dale, LOL If he were my husband and looked like that, he'd be wearing that sweater. : )
Please come to my virtual book launch/party
January 10th at http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com
Bring food, drink and tunes by leaving links and comments (with recipes) on the blog.
I promise you, you'll have tons of fun!
Thank you for visiting my blog today, Leanne. I had fun, too. Looking forward to your virtual book launch/party. See you there.
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