Sunday, November 13, 2011

Is this what they call writers block?

People ask me where I find the time to write and I usually reply with something like- 'If you want it bad enough, you find the time.'

It's been over a week now where I haven't written a thing and I can say with all honesty that it feel rotten, as though I'm lost.
Now I know that all I need to do is get typing but life keeps getting in the way, negative thoughts keep getting in the way- I keep getting in the way.
This is the best story I have ever written, the second book in the series of three and yet here I am blogging about not being able to write. Is this what they call writers block?

My friendly, fellow authors are pumping out the words due to the current challenge or just because they can which adds pressure to what I'm already applying to myself.
I know I am not the only author to experience this but when you're in that hole, you do feel like you are the only one. So I'm writing this blog to shout out to those who are and have been through this to tell you you're NOT alone.
Right after this blog my plan is to not check my emails, not facebook or twitter but to read my last page of my MS and let my fingers tap away and hope that letting go of the pressure and life's distractions I will be sucked back into the overwhelming desire to write.

I'm crossing my fingers, ah no I'm not, I need them to write. But I am hoping and you know what it would be really great to see some comments on whether you have or are experiencing this and what you did to overcome it. Or possibly any advice you have would be appreciated.

Thank you all and happy reading and writing.
Kez

7 comments:

Bronwyn said...

I know all about this! I have a request for my current WIP from one of the top six yet I can't fix the MS to send it. Writers block sucks!

But. If you do manage to let go and force some bad stuff out, it might warm you up and get you into the good stuff (happened for me). I find reading really helps me to unblock. That and a nice long hot (silent) bath =)

Good luck!
Bron.

Nicola E. Sheridan said...

I am a super spasmodic writer. I write when I want, what I want. If you don't want to write that that particular one at the moment, write the first chapter of something you do want to write. That's what I do... and if I don't feel like writing, I just don't. I cannot force my creativity. I'm attempting this Nanowrimo-whatever, and to date I think I've written a grand total of 3500 words... Let it go, potter in the garden or watch a movie. It'll come back :)

Karlene Blakemore-Mowle said...

Seriously? this is your first experience of writers block???! it will pass- i seem to go through it during most books and strangly enough it seems to be the better the story the worse i get it! it WILL pass.

Bronwyn said...

I think it was Anne Gracie who said recently that the blockage could be a saggy middle too... Does your story have something that's not working? or something you're not happy with? Like Nicola, I can't force it but my story always knows when there's a problem even when I can't see it.

Unknown said...

Firstly- I have written a little today but still it was hard. It felt good to get something done though.

Bron- I'm a fan of the bath when I need to start the next scene.

Nicola- I can relate, that is so me although I have yet to try writing something else. One of my other friends does this, I think I may give it a try if I dont break out of this spell soon.

Karly- I think i had strain of writers block before, where I didnt know where to go in a scene but nothing like this. I usually write in bits and pieces everyday but i feel like some one has conducted a lobotomy while i was sleeping.

Thanks guys for being there for me and helping me get through this

Kez

Rachael Johns said...

So... how'd you go? Hope you wrote up a storm!

Unknown said...

It was more like a drizzle but that's ok it still felt good to get something down.
Thanks Rach