It's probably not a secret that I haven't written in a month. (Oh, to be back in the throes of NaNoWriMo, when good or bad, at least I wrote every day). It's probably not a secret because if you've noticed, I've only blogged four times in April. I've said before that I don't believe in writer's block, and I still think that's true. Writer's block is just something your brain creates to give you an excuse to not write. So if you acknowledge it's real, then you're putting the blame on your lack of writing on something other than yourself. It's absolutely my fault that I haven't written in a while. So what do you think I should do to fix this problem? I'm asking you for ideas to get out of this dry spell (other than, of course, "letting my brain rest for a day" because my brain's done plenty of resting in the past month, trust me). Help a sister out, will you?
Two more things:
My friend Jill made a banner for my blog so I changed the template to match it (she is the best). We spend way too much time at work, and we are running out of fashion magazines to read in our down time, apparently. The end of the month is hardest - come on, new issue of Cosmo; we are waiting for you!
Tomorrow. Yes, April 27, 2010. Donna Jo Napoli's new book, The Wager, will be released in bookstores and online. As a general rule, I read all of her YA publications, regardless of whether I think they look interesting or not, because the world may end tomorrow, but Donna's (we are going to be on a first-name basis now) writing will still be reliably perfect. However, The Wager actually does sound pretty cool. I can't wait to read her characterization of the devil. I'm sure it will be brilliant and I will have a new favorite from her collection. Check it out!
LOL, I think it's okay to not write every day. Just because you're not drafting something new, doesn't mean that you're not thinking about your novels. And to write well in the first place, you need to LIVE.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention that you personally have the added excuse of having college course-work, and reading and finals, etc. You're excused. ;)
Haven't read one of Donna Jo's in years, so I'll have to check out the Wager. I'll go look it up on Goodreads now, thanks!
I know what you mean about having done plenty of resting, and can I offer some advice about that? Resting your brain is good, but it has to be purposeful. Planned out - like I never write on Sundays. But writing every day that isn't planned rest time is a good idea. Sometimes you need to work on a different project than the one you're trying to force.
ReplyDeleteI once heard the quote that writer's block isn't an inability to write, it' an inability to enjoy writing. What is forced out onto the paper, even if we think it's horrid, is often just as good as our other writing. Inspiration is fickled, right?
As far as advice goes, just force it. Best writing advice ever? (it's not mine, so I can say that) Here it is:
You have to be willing to write badly.
There, that's it! You can always fix it later. :)
By the way, the new banner is flipping amazing, I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely hard to write every day! I can't do it. Sometimes, you just need a break.
ReplyDeleteGet back in the saddle, pardner, and just write. Days slip away too quickly.
ReplyDeleteLove your new banner! Pretty!
You're blog looks great!
ReplyDeleteAs for getting past this--the best way I know how is to just sit down and write. No other way to get words. :) Good luck!
I love the new look. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've learned in this short story class I'm taking is that little exercises can really help me get writing. For example, take a random word and use it as a launching point to just write something. Write for five minutes. Write for ten. Whatever it takes, but just get something down, even if it's rambling. Grab a sentence from anywhere (or make one up) and create something from it. Danyelle is right though. In the end, the only cure is to just write. Anything. Good luck.
I like the new look. Very cute!
ReplyDeleteYour dry spell sounds just like mine. Now that you've taken a break, you should just sit down and do it. That's probably the best way to go, and who knows, you may find it's easier than you thought it'd be. :)
I understand. I haven't written in a while either.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you really do need to finish that fanfic "Three"! You had something really amazing going there =)
Annabeth16Chase - I know. I feel really bad. Trust me, that is what I am trying to work on, but I am having the worst time with the ending. I'll finish that before I start anything else!
ReplyDeleteOpenID isn't working... D:
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I meant to tell you--there's a new community called percabeth_100 here:
http://community.livejournal.com/percabeth_100/
Writers post themed 100-word drabbles (Percy/Annabeth-centric, obviously) there; sounds kind of fun.
I thought doing something like that could get you back in the swing of things, plus you could always post it to "A Thousand Ways to Live". Good luck!