Dealing with writer’s block…

[Pacha Batofar]

How do you do it? And since I’m guessing most people will say they listen to music, which genre of music usually inspires you?

[neko-sennin]

I voted for "other" because my methods can vary greatly. Depending on both the severity and duration, I might:

-go for a walk (I do my best thinking on my feet)
-go for a run (with headphones of course-- running's no fun without tunes)
-go someplace new
-go somewhere I haven't been in a long time
-watch a bunch of anime
-play a video game (RPG, usually)
-write something else
-design a sig, avatar, Winamp theme (relatively new pastime in my life)
-or some other non-writing project
-take a catnap

In my case, work is the single greatest emotional drain in my life, so I seldom accomplish much during the Holiday season. The single greatest period of proliferation in my life was during the two months my roommate was out of town working at another location a few years ago; being unemployed for most of that year probably didn't hurt, either. :P Sadly, I've never written so much in even half a year as did during those two months...

And the single greatest location for writing-- Knight Library at the University of Oregon-- is no longer available to me. After all, it's a long walk from California. :amuse I used to set aside a day off most weeks, stop for lunch, and then stay there late; during the school year, they would be open anywhere from 11 to midnight some days, so I could find a vacant desk on the 3rd or 4th floor and just go at it. There was a meditative, focused quality to that place, and I would often get more done that one day than I would the rest of the week. Or, during the periods they were closed, I would stay as late as I could one or two nights a week at a Barnes & Noble about 15 minutes from my house.

Right now, I have no real sanctuary, as I share a room, and an elderly Filipino couple occupy the rooms outside, so I have to do as much as I can when I'm inspired. It's tough on a private person like me, but I can't afford an apartment all on my own. Sometimes I use music as a wall of white noise so I can think, but sometimes music interferes with my concentration, and I have to wait until I have some quiet to get down to business.

[Lien]

Everywhere I go I always have my notebook on me whenever I get writer's block it is a must to distract myself until the ideas come back in again.

The place which gives me the most drive to write is the hustle and bustle of London so in otherwords my surroundings. When I'm out and about, on the bus or on the train - just the energy buzzing around me makes me want to write about something. There are stories that can be told in every corner that I turn.

Writer's block is rare for me, but when it does happen I just resume back to reality until I get sucked into the element again.

[martryn]

I either channel surf for a while for random ideas to come to me, or I talk about something similar but different to where I'm at with friends or on the forum and see what other people would do/say. Then, I do the opposite, or something totally different. Fuck people!

[breakbeat oratory]

My usual source of inspiration comes from my good friend, Sean. We've been friends for almost 11 years and we really connect on a deep level. Whenever I have a hard time manifesting my thoughts onto paper, he's pretty good at helping me out.

[nanni]

I just think.
close my eyes try see something thats not there.
or go for a walk

[Morwain]

I listen to music, any type I feel suits what i'm working on or, work on something else.

[Psallo a Cappella]

Listen to music, or go sit outside and stare at nature.

[Aishiteru]

Listen to music, or go sit outside and stare at nature.

You're so insightful, dear. <3



For me, I usually just want to do something else and I don't feel like writing. So, I do whatever I feel like doing. For fanfictions, I listen to the anime's soundtrack or listen to its opening/ending theme songs. I also re-watch episodes to get into the mood. It actually really helps!

:love

[Alex]

I personally take a short 10 minute break. Read a book, get some chocolate...then I'm good to go.

[DaNuKA_SAN]

Descartes had a daily coffee intake of about 30 to 40 cups...

Now that's what I call inspiration.

[Aruka]

I just do some random things such as eating, working out, etc.

[Dattebayo-chan]

I don't write much or often so I don't really get write's block. However, if I get it, I will take a break and focus on something else for a while . . . :amuse

[Pacha Batofar]

My usual source of inspiration comes from my good friend, Sean. We've been friends for almost 11 years and we really connect on a deep level. Whenever I have a hard time manifesting my thoughts onto paper, he's pretty good at helping me out.

I wish I had a muse. I need one right about now :D:

[Obbi]

At the VERY first sign of writers block, stop. In my opinion, you only embed the block deeper when you reach it. The quicker you can identify it as a block and distance yourself, the better.

Simply give up. When your mind refreshes your thoughts will naturally return with a solution. When you distance your mind, you must be able to avoid thinking of the problem or you'll only make it worse. It naturally follows that you should find yourself some kind of distraction - something that can clear your head. Running is a great activity, but sometimes I have found relief simply in meeting strangers and asking about them.

Hell, if you have a partner, friend or are still living at home, then ask them for ideas. Never underestimate the power of brainstorming.

The most important concept to understand about writer's block is that it's a feedback loop. It resists and expands exponentially the harder you push at it. Sometime I've gotten so stuck on a thought that I wasn't able to do much of anything until I gave it up.

My method of "give it up" takes patience. I've started something then gone months before touching it again. When I did, though, I was fresh and I could easily identify weak areas in my work that were previously hidden from me. Unless you have a deadline, I really suggest putting a project down entirely until your mind naturally decides to tackle it.