Got Writer's Block? Come Here!

by **Tolly12bells** Thu 01 Oct 2009, 11:50 am

We all hate it, but unfortunately we all get it. Two words that sting the eyes, shatter the eardrums, tastes bitter on the tongue, and hurt to type. Writer's Block. Have it? I'm so, so sorry for you. But we have some ways to help!

Tips (So you have Writer's Block. What do you do?)

1. Don't force yourself to write. It's hard, not enjoyable, and you usually won't like what you've written.

2. Make a mental or even physical list of cool words or phrases you hear throughout the day. Keep your ears open. They're out there.

3. Choose a song, and try to think about what the lyrics are saying. You'll find that oftentimes, you suddenly get an inspirations for writing!

4. Search for Inspirational quotes. They give me insight for writing all the time.

5. Tell yourself that you will get over your case of WB. If you believe that you'll be stuck with it forever, you will. You have to believe in yourself.

Some Strategies I've Found Useful

1. Make a Top 10 list. It can be of ANYTHING! It can be "Top Ten Reasons I Am A Nerd". It's easy, fun, silly, and often gives you a great idea. Author David Lubar uses this strategy when writing his books.

2. Write a "Showing Not Telling" paragraph. Instructions for how at the bottom of the post.

3. Make a brainstorm page. Take a piece of paper, and think of a random phrase or word. Sometimes, you'll get a picture. Jump on your opportunity, and sketch or write your picture. A lot of times, a story follows through.

4. Working on a story and you're stuck? Say something tragic you would never want to happen to the main character(s). Even saying that you wouldn't want it to happen makes you want to write about it. This is something a lot of the best authors do. You have to add a twist to your story.

If you have any other strategies or tips, feel free to post them, and I'll add them up here and give you credit!

Instructions for "Showing Not Telling"

First off, let me tell you that I did this assignment for English Class, and actually had a LOT of fun doing it. You'd be amazed at how well you can write after you do this activity.

1. Choose one of the following sentences.

A. The room was a mess.
B. He/She had a temper.
C. He/She was a kind person.
D. The dog looked dangerous.
E. He felt depressed.
F. She was a good listener.

2. Now, got your sentence? Pull out a piece of paper and write, "Telling: *Insert your sentence here*"

3. Skip a few lines, and now write, "Showing:", and let your imagination go wild. Show that the room was a mess! "Laundry was piled in every dusty corner of the large square room. The light fixture proudly hosted a purple tee-shirt, and there was a sock in an empty fish tank." Or show that he was depressed, "He sat solemnly on the oversized green steps in his solitary corner of the commons, his once-cheerful blue eyes downcast at the floor." Make sure your paragraph is at least five sentences.

4. Now that you know how to do it, take a simple sentence of your story, and do the same thing. It should get your right back into your groove.

by Bela Kiss Thu 01 Oct 2009, 4:09 pm

OHMIGOSH This is awesome!!! Way better then those stupid WB threads that just say 'free write'. I will certainly make use of this in the future, when I have WB!

by **Tolly12bells** Thu 01 Oct 2009, 4:12 pm

Thanks Sweety! Yeah, I've found that freewriting does nothing for me. *shakes head* I'm going to make use of my own brain in the future. xD I get WB, and I'm like, "Ugh! What do I do!?" xD Visit my own thread Eye Roll

by **PeggySnow** Fri 02 Oct 2009, 2:59 pm

Thanks for posting this, Lauren! It's really useful!

by **Dreamer** Fri 02 Oct 2009, 10:13 pm

Wow, this is really cool, Lauren! ^^ When I have WB, I will most definately (no matter how hard I try, I just cannot spell that word right. *sigh* ) try some of this stuff. Nod

by **Tolly12bells** Fri 02 Oct 2009, 10:27 pm

D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y Definitely. xD My crazy grammar thing. Eye Roll

Thanks both of you!

by **PeggySnow** Sat 03 Oct 2009, 5:41 pm

I can never remember how to spell definitely either.... thanks for putting it xD

by **Tolly12bells** Sat 03 Oct 2009, 5:55 pm

Swelcome! Ooh, xD we should make a grammar guide of the most commonly mixed up or misspelled words. Nod

Like alot, and a lot. And Aloud, and Allowed. xD

by Moony Sun 04 Oct 2009, 9:18 pm

OMG! Thanks! This'll help me write more NSN Smile

**Chapter 4 is up**

by **Tolly12bells** Sun 04 Oct 2009, 9:32 pm

Glad I could help Julia!

by superdork11 Fri 13 Nov 2009, 11:05 pm

hi! wow, i had foroten about that assignment, i did the room was a mess, it failed dramatiaclly,
i can't spell definately either, okay, i will actually try,
definitely! did i do ti! yeyayayayayayayayyaayayyayayayay! Nod