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I read posts sometimes about writers getting a case of the dreaded Writer's Block, any writer's worst nightmare. Speaking from experience- there's nothing worse than falling out of "the flow." My problem doesn't seem to be writer's block so much, but a beginning block... I'll get into that in a bit. The problem most writer's seem to have is determining something to write about- a topic. I have the opposite problem. Bob Dylan, in his old song, Maggie's Farm had a line... "I gotta head full of ideas that are driving me insane"... this is my problem. Not so much what to write about, but which to write about... But I still get stuck.
I guess I should explain that I write the "old fashioned" way- with notebook and pen. The Night Gods II, for example, filled up 4 notebooks (70 pages each, both sides) or 560 pages of handwritten text. In the morning (usually around 3:00 AM) I get my coffee, put on Charlie Chan with my headphones and sit down to write. Staying with the Night Gods as an example... each chapter has a scenario, or plotline. I have no idea what it will be when I sit down to write.
The last chapter, Kyle, took place in the US and when I began to write it I had no idea where it would go. So, here's what I do... I pick up my pen and write a sentence or two (they don't have to be good- you can change them later) for direction... Just an inkling of an idea. Then I put down my notebook and have some coffee and watch the adventures of Charlie, et.al.. Pretty soon, something else will occur to me and I write it down too- remember, these are ideas, not a finished product- a running outline, if you will. Before I know it, I'm back into the flow. The "Magic Pen" takes over and the story begins to write itself. Now I'm not claiming to be any great writer, mind you- but I have found something that works.
I've tried to write using a computer and that just doesn't seem to work for me. For nonfiction, it's ok- but for fiction, especially dialogue, it just doesn't work for me. I've tried it and the dialogue comes out wooden and stiff sounding- like an academic study rather than a conversation. One story (my first fiction on Steemit) was so bad, I scrapped it after a few chapters. When I type the chapters in, I expand on them and do my edit. Having the storyline written down first to work from- as crude as it may be- just seems to work best.
I hope this has been useful. Like I said, I'm certainly no William Faulkner or Stephen King, but I love to write. I know that every writer is different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Admittedly, my way is a lot more work, not to mention time consuming- but look at my output.
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Always enjoy Rich! For me, I've always had a crazy imagination. I've always felt I'd make a great writer. Idea's are always popping into my head and good ones. My problem is taming the idea to paper. Actually sitting down and constructing it in a way that a reader would get my perspective and it not be so hap-hazardly written so to speak. Plus, the kids don't really give me any time of silence or personal space to just sit relax and be. Excuses right? I know............. just do it.
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Write them down and put them in perspective later... That's how I write. On paper, it's just a running flow of consciousness... Then I straighten them out on the computer.
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Excellent post and narrative. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you... You should check out the Night Gods stories on my blog
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Of course I will be on schedule
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Great article, as always :)
And if I may say so, sir, you are a great writer.
Personally, I think it's important to keep moving. OR keep writing, in this case. I don't remember who it was that said the only true failure is not writing anything, but I think they were right. So, the only way to beat writer's block, in my opinion, is to write. Anything. Just write.
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I couldn't agree more... My biggest fear is that if I stop, I'll get out of the flow and not get it back. Thank you, I'm not great yet... But I am getting better.
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I know that nagging fear so well...it used to be more present in my life before Steemit, but now I find I'm drawn to write daily, so Ifeel safer in a way. If that makes sense...
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It does, it makes perfect sense... Because (for me at least) I get a steady stream of feedback so I can tell if what I'm currently doing is right.
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Yes, I can follow that.
I am a beginner when it depends on fiction. This is for me the "kings discipline" (in my case, queens:) and to get quality it for sure is as hard work as falling into a flow which requires to be inspired in the first place. Interesting that you get into it by watching Charlie Chan. And I even cannot imagine to write by hand. I did though, in the past. I've a collection of diaries all in matter. But with the rising of the computer age I gave that up. You seem to got into the flow-mood B. C. (before computer)
Stay fluently:-)
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I've seen them all so many times I know the dialogue better than the actors. I don't know what it is, I've tried other movies but they don't work!
It's only fiction that I hand write- articles of nonfiction I can write on the computer no problem. I guess it's how my mind is disciplined. When I write by hand I do it conversationally and on the computer, technically.
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I do a little differently. I write on the computer, then I print, and then I correct it with a pen. I absolutely can not read and correct on the monitor screen. And, of course, it is always a certain "ritual" - a cup of coffee. This helps to "catch the wave." :)
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Like I said... everybody is different. Just find what works for you and go with it!
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How I envy people who can write with their headphones on - I think I'm too easily distracted to be able to do two things at a time.
As for writing methods, I think I'm the middle generation - I love both pen&paper and the computer.
I was out today and had a lot of time waiting while my son had some classes so I spent it all scribbling some future posts in a notebook. Nobody else would probably be able to decipher my notes, but I had such a good time. I guess I've missed that..
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I can't even decipher my own! When I was in college I took copious notes. Every time I went to study them I would go to my wife and say- Can you make this word out? I still have that problem... I can't read my own writing! The headphones- I tune the dialogue out... I've seen them so many times I know it better than the actors.
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Nice one @richq11, basically all i need to get started is to visit my garden, i get so inspired by it plants and serene environment. Truly, not knowing what to write and how to start is worse than writer's block.
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Dont worry i am your fan of your writing :)
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thnks for ideas
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And we're all grateful that you love to write.
I seem to have "finisher's block," which is kind-of related to your problem. And I absolutely cannot outline. As hard as seat-of-the-pants writing is, and as much as I've got to go back, throw away, and revise, I find that once I've outlined to the end of a story, I just lose all interest in it. Or maybe all confidence in it, I'm not sure. That's where this is going? Why would anybody want to read this?
As for headphones, ambient music for me. Anything with words, and my brain tunes right in. I'm the anti-multi-tasker.
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