Sunday, April 11, 2010

My Cure For Writers Block


Write.
Yeah, seems like a bit of paradox doesn’t it but it actually works. The thing is even when you don’t know where your story is going you still have the ability to write absolute genuine garbage. So I say go for it. Write pages and pages of rubbish. Then sleep. That’s right, get at last eight hours before you look at it again. But look at it again, you must. My final step in killing writers block is editing.
Turns out, uninspiring writing can be really, really inspiring. Sounds dumb? For me, it never fails.
The next day when I get out my pages of junk, I’m so appalled and disgusted, ideas for rectification are jumping out at me like popcorn.
“How on earth could you have written that when clearly your character wants this!”
Or
“That dialogue grates on my ears! My character would never say that!”
Or worse,
“That description is so hideous, I’m changing the setting entirely to this!”
Before you know it, you’re frantically trying to correct this inexcusable piece of prose before somebody sees it.
I’ve have always worked best under pressure and exposure as a fraud is definitely a good incentive. For all those writers out there, try it. I’m not saying it works for everyone, but definitely does it for me! And as for our readers, just look at this as another way we writers put ourselves on the line, just for you!

2 comments:

Joselyn Vaughn said...

I agree. Having something on the page to work with is so much easier than staring at a blank page.

Happy Writing!

Jane Myers Perrine said...

I also discover (once in a while) that what I'd thought was terrible writing the day before has a nugget or two worth using.