Writer's Block

[Cybercode]

So despite so many things that has been going on in my life, and having 12 book projects and almost 40 books I plan on writing, I can't create anymore ideas. In order for an idea to become part of a book plot, it has to be original and I haven't gotten any more ideas lately. I know most writers come up with ideas by inspirations, so do I and I get some from dreams at night. But lately I haven't had any good dreams, or good inspirations, basically repeats of previous ones, and I don't like repeating book ideas. The suggestion I have to myself is wait and maybe I'll have a good idea. But it's been about two months since I had a good idea. So I'm getting kind of worried that I have finally lost my creativity.

[Sage]

Uhhh... okay. I'm not sure what exactly you're looking for people to discuss here. If you're looking for writing advice, the best advice anyone can give you is to just write, even if you don't have any ideas and you don't feel like doing it.

[embers]

Here's two responses to a similar thread on teenagewriters that I agree with and you may find useful (yes, I made that thread a while back):

The only way to beat block is to write. Don't imagine for a moment that the opposite of block is writing flowing beautifully and easily. The opposite, the counter to block is writing. Saying 'Writers' Block' sort of gives it an excuse, and allows it to manifest under the guise of a tragic condition. Most of the time, it's a complete misunderstanding of the writing process. And getting into a vicious cycle of self-delusion.

1) I have no ideas.
2) I can't write good no more
3) I find it difficult to put anything on the page.

In answer to the 1), ideas are not found, they are not passive treasure chests scattered across the lawn for you to leap gaily towards. It doesn't work like that. Any idea you stumble over tend to be the ones that smother themselves out after a very short time. The ones that cannot provide anything of substance. As Dent above me says, ideas are everywhere, and it is a matter of training yourself to dig them out, but it's more important to give them the time of day and nourishment.

In response to 2), do not expect writing to be good unless it cost you dearly. Sleep deprivation, tears, sweat, urine, the blood of your progeny. If you paid nothing for your writing, then expect it to live up to that value. Worthless.
Besides, you should not concentrate on the quality of writing when struggling with such so-called Block. That is giving yourself two battles to fight. Fret over writing quality once you have writing quantity. Even if your writing resembles the incoherent babble of an incomprehensible three year old, ignore it. The time for that is not now.

And in answer finally to 3), it should always be difficult to get things on the page, until it is not you writing any more, but your ideas. Even then, it's still bloody difficult. Don't ever think that everyone else finds it easy. Don't even think you once found it easy, because that is besides the point. You are not broken, there is nothing to be fixed, it's just stubbornness and delusion.

Stop mourning the loss of airy-fairy writing ability, where you would float around on bubbles of ideas with a song in your heart and leap in your stride. If that time is gone, then approach from a military mindset. You will march through writing. Use "write or die" (google it) or find people to word war with (where you compete to write the most within a set amount of time). Give yourself "laps" (I will invent three new characters by 3pm; I will describe something boring in an unusual fashion; I will place a bomb in a room with no windows and have four hapless souls solve it before sunset) Don't wait for the bubbles.


This is quite a harsh response, but getting out of this sort of mindset requires a kick in the teeth and not a warm cup of tea and a damp biscuit.

You're probably imagining it. Just write about the first thing that comes to mind, no matter how boring or uncreative it seems, just to get some ideas around in your head. That may help. It may not.

In the future, try to look everywhere for stories. It's difficult to do, but eventually you just have a mindset where you're constantly looking for stories or ideas in everything you see. You know that person that always makes annoying puns at everything? They're doing it necessarily not because they have an unnatural gift for puns, but because everything jumps out at them as an opportunity to make puns. You just have to tell your brain to look at everything as a potential story, and they will quickly come to you. If you want to go all out, carry around a notebook if you think you won't remember them. (And if you want to see the darker side of this, read Chekhov's "The Seagull.")

Point is, the writer's block is a completely psychological cycle in which 1. you worry about a lack of creativity, 2. this manifests itself as 'writer's block', 3. this nonexistent 'block' causes you to worry further about a lack of creativity.

Beat it by writing. Don't focus on books, novellas, or even short stories if that proves too difficult at present. Even little descriptions are fine, the important thing is to keep the writing and creative flow going.

[CryWolf]

Here's two responses to a similar thread on teenagewriters that I agree with and you may find useful (yes, I made that thread a while back):





Point is, the writer's block is a completely psychological cycle in which 1. you worry about a lack of creativity, 2. this manifests itself as 'writer's block', 3. this nonexistent 'block' causes you to worry further about a lack of creativity.

Beat it by writing. Don't focus on books, novellas, or even short stories if that proves too difficult at present. Even little descriptions are fine, the important thing is to keep the writing and creative flow going.

^Yeah this is it here. I think most writers run into this way of thinking at some point. The "will I ever write again" syndrome. It's scary, but like embers is saying, it's psychological. And the answer really is to just write.
That's what helps me. I write a lot and inside I know that some of it is just cleaning out the filter, and it may not be used for anything. However, it keeps the juices flowing and the lines open so to speak. Write anything down. A thought, a phrase or a paragraph even. You may eventually find yourself reflecting on it and coming back to it.
Hang in there! :)