Friday, July 8, 2011

1 Odd Cure For Writer's Block

Have you ever opened your work-in-progress, fingers poised to add words, but nothing comes? If you're like me, you sprint through a cycle of emotions.



1. Wariness: Oh no! I wrote all of the good stuff already. What in the world is supposed to happen now?

Time ticks by.

2. Anxiety: I've read through the previous scene and have no idea where to go next. Only one sentence congealed in my brain and it stunk.

Twenty minutes pass.

3. Panic: I only have so much time to write and I'm blowing it! What's needed here--dialogue, action, introspection--what??

Now, I'll be the first to admit I don't believe in long-term writer's block. When we make writing a habit, somehow the words make it to the page. But I occasionally have bouts of the above, where everything that comes to mind could be read in a Dick and Jane book and I want to pile my laptop, notebooks, writing craft books, and every pen, pencil and paper into a large paper box and throw them in the river because I'm not worthy.

I have an odd solution.

One Odd Cure for Writer's Block

Pamper yourself for a few minutes. Concentrate on something that makes your soul sing.

When I can't find the words, I grab the softest blanket I own, wrap it around my shoulders, and sit on the couch for a while. I focus on how the blanket feels as I rub my fingers over it. Ahh...soothing. And as I relax, my brain gets unstuck. I realize I need to write the Dick and Jane sentence because it's better than nothing and I can fix it later.

Not everyone has the same pampering-pick-me-up. I'm a tactile person. Softness matters to me a great deal. My husband's place of business sells carpet among other things. If he and I head to the showroom, he'll select five random carpet samples and lay them down on the floor. Then he'll ask me which one is the softest. Based solely on touch, I can determine the most expensive carpet, and I can figure out the order of price of the remainding carpets. (Hey, I can't juggle, but I know soft!)

I must pet every fluffy dog or cat who cross my path. I've purchased sweaters based solely on how they feel, and yes, some have been on the ugly side. The rabbit barn at the fair? My kids have to drag me out. Soft things act like a balm to me, and they trigger my creative side.

Maybe yours is oratory--certain sounds or music relax you. Or maybe it's taste? A special cup of tea, a soft drink, a beer might be just the thing to wake your muse. What about scents? Could a mandarin orange scented candle tease your senses? Or maybe you're visual. Browse an online museum for ten minutes and bask in the beauty of art.

The next time you're stuck for words, pamper yourself for ten minutes and see if it helps.

Have you ever stared at your manuscript and had no idea what to write next? What pampers you? Could you take a break and use it the next time you're stumped?

Have a fabulous Friday!

36 comments:

  1. We're on the same page, Jill. I just posted about writer's block, too! Your advice is nice...I like the idea of pamerpring yourself. I sometimes take long, hot bubble baths to force myself away from a WIP and attempt to relax myself.

    Does coffee count as pamering? I make a lot of coffee. =) Thanks for this post. Happy Friday!

    -Miss GOP
    www.thewritingapprentice.com

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  2. This is so true. We really need to go somewhere or do something that has nothing to do with writing. Sometimes I guess it's like clearing your cache! LOL Things run a lot more smoothly afterward.

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  3. I'm under my biggest, fluffiest blanket as I read this. :)

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  4. Good morning!

    MissGOP: I love bubble baths! And of course coffee counts! I'm enjoying my first (but not last) cup as we speak!

    Jessica B: So true. It's like insomnia, the longer you try to go to sleep, the more elusive (spelling?) it becomes!

    Julie: Nice! I have a huge brown blanket that is practically a cloud. It's delightful!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  5. You're a girl after my own heart. My trick is to take a walk or clean up my environment or go out for coffee.

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  6. I'll take the advice.. With coffee of course:)

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  7. Coffee, a fresh cup in a quiet room. Works wonders. I also like your suggestion to just keep writing. I've found that more times than not, something worthy finally comes from those words.

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  8. Coffee cheers me up every time! A good book is a nice diversion too:)

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  9. Movement does it for me. A brisk walk seems to wake up my central nervous system and solutions occur in my brain. Then I have to hold onto them long enough to get back home to my computer!

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  10. Cassandra: What is it about walks that releases our creativity? I get the best ideas when I'm walking!

    Journey-er: Coffee is always a good solution to writer's block.

    Joanne: Yes, sticking with it even when it's uncomfortable can get me out of a slump.

    Tamika: Coffee and reading--two of my fave things!

    Olivia: That happens to me all the time. I had a great idea the other night, forgot to write it down, and *poof* it was gone. Waaa!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  11. Um....yes. I'm doing that now, in fact. Trying to edit a huge scene and slightly freaked out about it.

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  12. I like to pamper myself with music. Depending on the scene I need to write, depends on the music. Sometimes, I soak in the tub and relax to work out the kinks.

    I am picturing your kids dragging you out of a bunny farm! :) lol

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  13. You really aren't kidding on this one. A nice white wine solves this problem asap. ;)

    Sending your pages soon and I'll finish it up over my vaca.
    ~ Wendy

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  14. I usually grab a Tootsie pop or piece of gum. I don't know why but something like that usually perks my brain up. :-)

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  15. For me it's food. I don't know why I don't weigh 400 pounds.

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  16. I'm with the coffee devotees on this (but a nice glass of Chardonnay in the evening is also nice!) For me, there's nothing like reading a good book to get me back on track.

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  17. When I'm driving my mind always seems to come up with new ideas. Although the kids are usually asleep in the back so maybe my muse likes quiet. Hmm... :)

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  18. Helpful advice. Since words are my comfort, I tend to pick up a book and read for a few minutes.

    Or play spider solitaire while I let my mind wander through the story.

    I love it that you can pick out carpet on a softness scale. :)

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  19. Great advice.

    I take a bubble bath...or lay on hammock and watch the clouds.

    I actually had this problem the other day. I love music. I had been so busy reading my WIP out loud with nothing but silence in the room, that I forgot that I'm most creative when I listen to music. As soon as I put on the ipod, the words and direction just flowed. I read it over, out loud in silence after just to hear it. It turned out better than I expected.

    I forget to pamper myself with music.

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  20. This is a great idea. I am more visual and would probably sit on the couch and look at old pictures: scenes, family, anything that makes me happy. I love how you said you would write the Dick and Jane bit. That's what I do when I go back. It seems to lead you somewhere much more interesting soon. How great that we can delete the junk!

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  21. I couldn't agree more - pampering always helps. Sometimes I get a pedicure, sometimes a massage, and sometimes something as simple as a nice, hot shower works. If only I had a waterproof pad to take with me.

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  22. Katie: Grab a blankie, Toots, and freak out no more! :)

    Jessica: Music soothes me too. I always have a CD or the radio playing in the car. And isn't it funny how a bunny barn can be so awesome? Our fair is only a few weeks away. I can't wait!

    Wendy: Mmm...now I want to sit on my deck, have you fly out, and share a crisp glass of wine with you!

    Jennifer: Sugar and chewing--works like a charm!

    Brett: I have emergency M&M's next to me as we speak. I don't know how I stay thin. :)

    Karen: *sigh* Coffee AM, wine PM and a book throughout the day. Heaven!

    Lacie: Oh yes! Driving helps me too. Maybe it's because we're on auto-pilot?

    Erica: I'm dying to go to the library because the Kaye Dacus book I ordered just came in. I'm so with you on words being comfort! And my carpet-softness talent is a recent discovery, but my hubby can select different samples each time and I always get it right!

    Loree: Your pampering sounds like my kind of pampering too. I love baths, love sitting outside, and love music!

    Nancy: Funny, but I flipped through photo albums the other night. My heart pinched at seeing my kids as babies. Where does the time go??

    Tiffany: We really need to figure out a writing method in the shower. I'm putting you in charge of that! Pedicures, massages, and hot showers are all amazing!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  23. You crack me up! I totally visualized you organizing the carpet samples based on price.

    When I'm stuck, which happened yesterday, I step away from the laptop. Different solutions help at different times. Sometimes it's a workout (which helped last night), sometimes it's a movie, or sometimes it's music. No matter what, stepping away helps me every time.

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  24. Oh, thank you so much for this idea, Jill. I am going to use it while I work on my current wip. I was so frustrated, I was about to email my agent and say, "I can't do this." Thank you so much. OH, I already said that.

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  25. Great post! I can't tell you how many times that has happened to me. Thanks for the tip!

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  26. Julie: I know! How dorky is that?? And I agree with you on exercise. When my body moves, my brain has to catch up!

    Jeanette: We all feel that way! Step away from the e-mail, and do something really nice for you. You'll feel confident again in no time!

    AKSM: Love your family blog--too cool! And yep, it happens to me all the time. :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  27. Don't hate me, but I don't think I've ever had writer's block. I usually start my writing day by reading over and editing (a bit) what I wrote the day/time before, so that gets me into the flow of things. :)

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  28. For me it doesn't seem to matter if it's pampering or putting myself to work... I just need to get up and do something. Maybe my brain falls into my butt when I sit still too long.
    : )

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  29. When I get blocked, I get bubbles--I soak in the tub. Something about closing out the world while soaking in peace loosens my muse and ideas start flowing. I've gotten some of my best ideas in the tub.

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  30. Your reference to Dick and Jane made me smile. Yup, definitely been there and will be again! Putting a 'soundtrack' to my scene helps me relax into the story again.

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  31. Excellent advice. When people ask me this question I say, "Do something mindless, like fold laundry or play a video game." Our minds are always working, and we'll come up with something when we give them the freedom to think. No pressure.

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  32. Carol: Of course I don't hate you! You've found the routine that works for you!

    Niki: Ha! I know the exact feeling!

    Lisa: Bubble baths work for me too. I take them as often as I can!

    Lynn: Nice! You're pampering yourself AND making progress on your book. Win-win!

    Linda: Did you read my mind?? :)

    Elana: Great idea! I should get out our Wii games more often!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  33. Diet Coke. Caffiene tends to get my synapsis' firing. Probably not the healthiest choice for writer's block. I like that Wii idea.

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  34. Jessie: Right on! I love my caffeine!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  35. Hi Jill -

    None of those things work for me. I pray, and then do something else. Worrying about the problem only locks me into it. The answer comes in various forms, but it always comes.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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