BlogHer - Don't Write: A Reluctant Journal and Other Great Cures for Writer's Block - Comments

A Writer

rebellious thinker — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:35:17 -0500

To me, a writer, whether dealing with extended writer's block or delving in, is a person who is always composing lines in her head. A writer lives her experiences and simultaneously thinks of how it can be transmitted to others, through words. I did that for years, without putting anything on paper, but when I was ready, it was as if I had been training for the marathon for years, I felt ready and I was ready.

Laura, www.RebelliousThoughtsofaWoman.com

this is what I do

superkeely — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:20:15 -0500

When I am working on something (story, novel, whatever), I write for 15 minutes a day no matter what. Even if it ends up being one line of dialogue. But it usually ends up being longer - I just have to tell myself that I'm "allowed" to be done after those 15 minutes.

When it's something else (blogging), I'm always writing. In my head. When I'm out walking or I'm rocking the baby or doing the dishes, my brain is composing amusing (well, to me, ha) little anecdotes. I just have to be sure to write them down or I'll blank out when I sit down at the computer, so I carry tiny notepads and little pens with me EVERYWHERE.

****************

follow my nerding and ranting on The Un Mom

follow my parenting or lack thereof on To Xander

Ra Ra Cheer to Baba

rebellious thinker — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:05:25 -0500

You have so much material, that you don't even realize it. Take the time to concentrate on the things you do and think and hear and say and see in a day. That is material, a treasure trove. And regarding the humor, that has taken me a long time to manage, but it seems easiest (for me) when I am most comfortable with my subject. I have recently joked about peeing in my pants (see "I Need a Diaper") and being dumped by a date when I was throwing up in the bathroom (see "Looking for Love on Craig's List: Dumped in the Bathroom"). But, if you don't keep honing your craft and your own outlook or voice or perspective, you know that you will keep mulling over it.

You go girl!

Laura, www.RebelliousThoughtsofaWoman.com

Writer's Block?

Baba — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:23:09 -0500

Ok, being new to blogging; embarrased by my limited homemaker knowledge level; and just too much to think about. Yea, I get writers block, knots in my stomach, coffee overdose shakes, etc. How do you interject humor into serious subject matter so that interest levels rize? Maybe I'll just give up on this blogging thing.

Benefits of being a Tech Writer

Creatively Belle — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:24:35 -0500

I too was a tech writer for years after completing my journalism degree so can appreciate what you're saying about the routine of the writing. But the biggest benefit I've found from all that writing is a strong sense of discipline for getting writing done.

I now write articles for my business, do some mar-coms for others and write more in my journal. I've started a writers group and love how we're all in different places with our projects but all have a similar background in professional writing.

For me all the years of tech writing are paying off now because I have my own business where writing is part of it and if I hadn't had all those contracts with serious deadlines I wouldn't have the ability to push through any sense of writers block. I do, however, procastinate about other things but thankfully writing isn't one of them.

So keep faith, your tech writing is more than just financial benefit for you, it is also serving your future writing endeavours too. :)

All the best,

Belinda

Join our free email newsletter today and go in the running to WIN a $50 Gift Voucher - great for earring stands, jewelry or whatever takes your fancy. :)

Gail Sher

KLinnea — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:02:03 -0500

Try Gail Sher's books about writing as well.

Writer's Block?

debra roby — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:32:51 -0500

Yeah, I've come upon writer's block. I never know if it's reluctance to write deeply enough about something, or simply being so boring that I stop thinking. The "don't write that" vs. the "write what?".

Every time I do the Artist's Way, I get up and try to do the morning pages. Every time, I end up with eyes in slits, my head on the desk, scribbling lines that every physical sign shows I'm so rejecting. So I've decided to reject TAW.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Weight for Deb

Writers block...

nelle2nelle — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:25:45 -0500

hasn't hit me yet, but then I don't write under any sort of pressure.

Fiction is a new endeavour, and am all of 45 postings into a full length story. My second of last night flew from brain remnants through keyboard to screen in less than 10 minutes, more like 5.

I've seen one suggestion elsewhere that one look to imagery for inspiration, but for me that comes via music. My mind will create a story from the songs I hear, the result quite distant from its musical inspiration.

With an hour long commute, by the time I've returned home, most often music on the drive has triggered where I wish to go in the story that night.

nelle

llhaesa

No such thing as nothing

rebellious thinker — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:45:26 -0500

As we have all learned from Mr. Seinfeld, there is no such thing as nothing, if it occupies a mind, it is something.

I vote for you to go for the blog. I have been blogging for about three months and find it a wonderful outlet (just as long as you don't stress about number of visitors to your site).

Laura (www.RebelliousThoughtsofaWoman.com)

Re: Is technical writing REAL writing??

annM — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:08:44 -0500

Thanks, Laura! Technical writing is a job for me; it pays the bills, it can be interesting at times, but it isn't satisfying in the long run. I find myself thinking in terms of processes and procedures, delineating things outside of work as Step 1, Step 2, and so forth. NOT particularly creative or thinking outside of the box! Jen’s post has reinforced my belief that I need to write about other stuff or my brain will shrivel up! I’ve ordered a couple of the books that Jen listed and plan to work through them. And I’m really considering starting my own blog so I can just fire words out there. It will be, ala Seinfeld, a blog about nothing!
ann M

Is technical writing REAL writing?

rebellious thinker — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:17:05 -0500

I was a technical writer for years; I would write "Press Enter" hundreds of times a day. I would find a bit of a creative outlet in writing introductions. Eventually I branched out into marketing writing, but, really, writing about telephones is writing about telephones. Maybe if you compartmentalize between the different kinds of writing you do, even by calling it work writing and REAL writing it will allow you to not feel so constricted by the process. Just a thought.

Laura (www.RebelliousThoughtsofaWoman.com)

Writing

annM — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:11:50 -0500

Since becoming a technical writer, I find that my creative juices have dried up. And when I do take the time to try and write, what comes out isn't at all what I was thinking! Oy! And then I have a hard time trying not to edit myself, as I can't believe anyone would want to read what I write. Maybe I should start blogging about my inability to write! HA! Now there's a concept!!!

annM

Good suggestions

Virginia DeBolt — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:31:45 -0500

I'm a great believer in the principles of writing practice as taught by Natalie Goldberg. I've been using her ideas for years and find them liberating.

Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology Contributing Editor
Web Teacher
First 50 Words

The Power Pair: Consistency and Mulling

rebellious thinker — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:52:38 -0500

I have found consistency and mulling propel me best to "putting it down." First, each time that I kept at my writing consistently, I have been able to be the most productive, even if there were days when not much has happened. Also, mulling over thoughts and bare ideas, even for a few days, makes the words more prepared to come when I am ready to write them. I have come to respect my writing intuition, if I feel blank, it will usually be a blank day; and if I am feeling that the mulling is working, I will generally be fruitful.

Laura (www.RebelliousThoughtsofaWoman.com)

writing

Terra — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:15:29 -0500

I have moments and entire days of being reluctant to write. Some wise person told me "when you can't write, write anyway."
I find the best motivation is deadlines, which, so far, I have always met.
Anne Lamott's famed words about writing a huge tome, is to write it "bird by bird". When faced with homework of writing about many birds, just break it into manageable pieces, bird by bird.
Terra
Co-author of "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday"

Don't Write: A Reluctant Journal and Other Great Cures for Writer's Block

jen lemen — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:01:58 -0500

I first met Jen Lee last fall in a tiny restaurant on the Lower East Side. She was the first person to show up for a little blog meetup with readers from New York City, and she arrived just in time to relieve my anxiety that I would be the only person to show. We had just enough time together before the others arrived to realize our paths had been crossing for some time--in shared friendships, similar upbringings, a familiar love for the writing life and so much more.

Of Jen's many superpowers one of my favorites is her gift for a phrase, a line or a story that heals you right where it hurts. I have been on the receiving end of this wisdom and this love more times than I can count now, so I am all the more delighted that Jen's taking the plunge and publishing Don't Write: A Reluctant Journal in real live book form so that her goodness can reach beyond the lucky circle of friends who find peace and happiness dozing on her little red sofa in Brooklyn.

Anyone who has ever tried to commit words on paper knows how quickly the voices rise, bargaining, begging you to please for the love of God, your father, your sister, your mother, do NOT write that--anything but that. It's crazy making to hold in your stories, even when doing so can be in many ways the most tender and brave way to get back on the road to love and home and the truth of where everything good began.

Jen's journal is the perfect companion for this kind of journey and I hope this limited edition short run is completely sold out by people who have a heart for courage and who understand before the pen ever hits the page, that getting it all out--even for your own eyes only--is more often than not, the most radical and healing act of all. You can order Jen Lee's journal here.

Other blogs and books that will equally inspire you to uncover what's on your mind?

Pre-order Keri Smith's How to Be an Explorer of the World, the perfect guide for self-discovery through the excavation of your surroundings and environment.

Also on the shelf for purchase, Christine Mason Miller (aka "Swirly") is releasing Ordinary Sparkling Moments, a guide to the magic waiting to be mined in mundane moments.

Need a good kick in the pants? Pick up Stephen Pressfield's The War of Art, a timeless classic when it comes to meeting resistance to writing or art with courage and confidence.

Having trouble getting through The Artist's Way? Join The Artist's Way blog and get all the encouragement you need to not only make your artist dates, but break through everything that's made you think "don't write" since the beginning.

What's been helping you get through your reluctant moments as an artist, a writer or otherwise creative person? Comments are open for your best tips on defying all those reasons you've been holding back.

a portion of this post is cross-posted on my blog jenlemen.com