Writer’s Block
…the struggle is real.
A
condition (as described
here) where a author loses his/her mojo when
developing ideas. It can strike anywhere, anytime, and can last for
days, weeks, months... even years. Turns out, when I first started
realizing how bad writer's block can get I found out first hand. I never
expected it to be as great until researching for myself. The struggle
is truly as real as this whole thirst craze.
Writer's Block came into fruition (description) around 1947 by Edmund Bergler, an American psychoanalyst who covered a wide range of topics in his day.
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| Calvin & Hobbes |
Not to digress from the main fight at hand. Writer’s
block, for me, happens randomly. I can be writing and then all of a sudden I go
blank, trying to edit to make a sentence or paragraph evolve from simplicity
(not to say the ‘Ernest
Hemingway’ method is a bad thing, it totally works!) only to fizzle out in the
brain like a car out of gas. So far I know distractions are not the cause. I
written Shadow Genesis: Volume One while invaded by children… an dealing with
work and other life things.
Could it
be a lack of inspiration? It is common for writer’s block to claim this absence
of muse and indeed it strikes true. When one loses their motivation to write,
it can be a very terrifying experience. Speaking of terrifying, fear is also a
factor. Perhaps you’re scared of not making it in the writing world. I for one
had such a fear, overwhelmed by things that should not matter… like others
being better than me, writing with ‘extreme elegance’ I call it, or, criticism
hits that can be very destructive than constructive. I cannot truly say
depression for me is a cause because when I was writing my first novel I was in
a depressing state of mind… leaving college and losing a lot and on top of that
crazy drama should have affected me… but it did not. Realizing how much time
and effort I have, I put all my energy into writing. The writer’s blocks I did
experience were little blank blotches easily killed by…
…video
gaming.
That’s right
folks, a way to destroy your mojo-killers is to indulge in things that bring
you said motivation. I am a gamer, love anime, love to read and at times I do a
bit of ‘drawing’ or designing, even music, for they too are big hobbies of
mine. Since I am a fantasy nut, I keep myself surrounded in all these great
elements that make me ‘Me’, and it fuels my motivation. Like a big power-up…
that mushroom out the block or gold star power… see where I am going with this?
However, I
still do catch a bit of the ‘Blockage’ but they last for a short time. Monday I
caught it bad, and it last for only a few hours. I was back in the writing
phase and done with a chapter in… well a few hours… writing slow, but I got the
job done. When not writing (weekends the greatest for those are my breaks) I am
busy doing other things, but constantly brainstorming in the process. Maybe all
of that thinking and processing also creates an impending block. This can
happen to me if I don’t quickly jot down what I am thinking, thus losing
something really good, and drawing a blank trying to remember.
Luckily
for me, I remember a good deal… given its triggers. For example, I can be
downloading a new tune, or watching an episode of one of my favorite shows and
suddenly I remember everything I was previously concocting, reclaiming my muse,
and off to fantasy land I go.
I also, at
a time before little now, just ‘Free-write’. I will just create a scene or
something out of thin air. Does not even have to be from my projects, thus
randomly generating a character, plot, setting, dialogue, the works. I use to
do this a lot, exercising my brain on a regular before tackling the big ones,
and it usually proves successful for me at least. Like starting up a car and
letting it warm up before cruising out, I kick the brain up, get it toasty, and
roll out Autobot style.
Those
writing exercises is what created The Multiverse Project.
So, to
stack up these blockers, here is what can put you in a writer’s block.
Causes:
- Fear (a big sense that covers other causes.)
- Depression (life issues, etc.)
- Lack of Inspiration (losing motivation, etc.)
- Distraction (outside issues, noise, etc.)
- Illness
- Intimidation
- Insecurity (self-doubt)
- Rejection (denial of acceptance, etc.)
- Pressure (over thinking, etc.)
Solutions:
- Reading (reading your favorite novels, magazines, etc.)
- Free-Writing (just write, let yourself write with no restraints, with no pressure)
- Gaming (works for me, gamer perk)
- Rest (self-explanatory)
- Engaging in other works (working on other projects, etc.)
- Music
- Living life with ease
It is fine
to feel as if you will fail. Failure brings progress, learning, and the ability
to grow and overcome. As I said in a previous post, perfection is non-existent.
In order to evolve, one must encounter error. It is how we learn as mammals.
Understand
within yourself that all good things come to those who work for it, but with
work comes obstacles, and with obstacles comes solutions. Writer’s block is an
obstacle that any can overcome, and while sometimes it can be a year-long
beast, there are ways in defeating this hindering foe.
There is
always a way to slay the beast.
Helpful Sites:
Don't let writer's block overstay its welcome!
Stay Tuned!
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