5 Easy Cures For Writer's Block

In my adventures I've found five reasons why writer's block occurs.  Since I'm seeing some of my friends ram themselves up against this proverbial wall I wanted to write about the "cures" I've found.

Here are the 5 reasons for writer's block:

 

1.  I'm writing when tired.

In my previous post I wrote about when to write and it's not always the best time to write when tired.  Why?  Writing takes effort of creative will that requires energy.  More energy than one might think.  Creative thoughts are less likely to come during the times you are tired.  If you have an exorbitant amount of energy at 2 a.m. then write at 2 a.m.  If you're still waking up at 6 a.m. that may not necessarily be the right time to write either.  Write when you are awake and have energy.  Coffee and note scratched inspirations may not be the pick me up you thought they would be when your body is trying to shut down for the night.

2.  My writing schedule has gone horribly astray.

You might think that writing whenever the mood strikes you or when you have time is a good method.  This doesn't work for most people because when they actually have a moment to write they don't know what to write.  The whirlwind of life doesn't shut off when you have ten minutes to settle and write.  It takes that long to get focused on writing.  But, if you set a schedule and stick to it you'll find your mind clicks into place and you can write.  Yes, you have a job, you have kids, you have obligations, blah, blah, blah...there is a time when everyone is quiet.  Kids go to bed, you come home from a job, you own your obligations and you can set them to the time that works for you.  Do the same for your writing--set a schedule that's you know you won't sabotage.

3.  I put too much pressure to write "correctly" during my writing time. 

Sometimes I can't put a word on the page because I'm in edit mode not writing mode.  Edit mode corrects mistakes, rearranges paragraphs, thinks logically and linear--everything opposite from writing mode.  Don't confuse the two.  Writing is writing for writings sake.  Editing can stop you in your tracks and tell you not to put that word on the page because it's the wrong one.  Writing mode is a child with non-washable crayons painting on the pristine white walls.  Editing mode is the parent that screeches into the living room, whisks the child into their crib and starts washing the walls.  Look, if your going to write you need to make a mess.  It has to begin or you get frustration.  A great exercise is to write anything on your mind and don't stop.  Not for air not for thought--just write words.  Coherent sentences will come.  Much like this post. 

4.  I badger myself with the question, "what should I write?" 

This is a clever form of tripping yourself up because writing should have meaning, right?  And do you think the non-washable crayon holding child within you really cares?  Heck scribble lines, meaning will come.  The insecurity of writing can trip you up but realize that it doesn't matter what you write.  When you write you're a writer.  When you read you're a reader.  When you stare at the screen thinking what should I write, you're a zombie.  Make your choice to which one you want to be. 

 

5.  I have too many concepts in my head.  

An opposite version of what should I write because I have nothing in my head is the I want to write everything and I can't start on one.  This isn't always a bad thing.  Make them into one story.  Let them all flow into one.  See where that takes you!  

Really the way to get rid of writer's block is to write.  Start off with writing the question what do I want to write but don't stop there.  Keep going.  Write colors, write what's in your room, write what's in your heart but never ever stop writing.  Babble if you must.  Also, know the signs of when to take a break.  If you look at these five writing blocks you'll notice that they are all just excuses for not writing.  I'm too tired, I don't know what to write, I'm no good at it, blah, blah, blah.  If it makes you happy to write, then write.  Which do you want to be?  The writer, the reader or the zombie?

You Write When?

When you write could be as important as where you write...

My gums woke me up at five a.m.  Tooth ache isn't pleasant but I realized there was a puffy feeling high in my gums.  It was three hours before I usually floss.  I must not have gotten all the corn kernal husks out.  It took ten minutes to realize I wasn't going to tongue it out and another five minutes to realize I'm out of floss.    

So I do what any compulsive ignorer would do.  I semipro. I actually did find dental tape; an old fashioned spool that was left over from WWII. The irritating spec out of my gums is gone but I can't go back to sleep.  This is where I think, why is it I try to write during the least prductive times of my day?  I write during the morning before I'm totally awake and when I do it's time to go to work.  I write during the evening after my brain is tryin to shut down for the day.  But this morning I was awake and I could tell the quality of my writing was better comparatively. 

My best moments are from the hours of 9am-2pm.  The days I can have those hours to write is on what I call a "non ride day".  Non ride days are where I can't ride the horses or go to the barn because of weather.  Because, 9-2 is the best time to ride.  

Do you notice a time of day when things are clear and easy?

Charity

What a horrible feeling it is to receive a $10 donor gift card for LAUSD and think "yeah, but is that going towards the teachers?"  It feels like a situation of "buyer beware" that I have to research Wasserman Foundation and DonorsChooseLA.org to really find the motivation behind this "freebie".  

Yes, I want to help Los Angeles Schools.  I've donated to several teachers--just given them money for supplies they've already paid for; things like crayons and paper.  I'm happy to help but in the same vain don't I pay taxes for these schools?  It also sends a message that teachers will just get what they need while tax dollars go to administration.  Teachers are not administration. 

 

I believe in many cases that if you throw money at it--things will get better; but not if there's a filter that sucks it up.  As I've seen throwing more money in this case has made more administration positions available and no better circumstances for the teachers and students. 

 

The one thing that this gift card has as validation is it will give money to charter and/or public schools--your choice.  In my own research of talking to students and graduates of both public and charter schools that I conducted about 4 years ago I found:

 

40% were Charter school kids and loved school and felt they were going somewhere.

40% of Public school kids hated school and couldn't wait to grow up and get out of there.

10% of Public school kids dropped out.

10% of Public school kids loved school and felt they were going somewhere. 

 

The bottom line was 100% of the Charter schooled kids I talked to loved school.  This by no means is a valid or offical statistic, it's just my own observation from past experience.  Take it with a grain of salt. 

 

Are Charter school teachers better?  Probably not.  I believe what the kids told me--they have the freedom to learn.  Their teachers had the freedom to teach.  Surely, I've offended a union school teacher to which all I can say is this is my observation, cold calculations and questioning the ones around my personal community.  I'm still on your side even if you think not.  I'll still be on your side if you call me nasty names.  I won't take it personally because all I really get from public school teachers is frustration from having their hands tied.  I hear "I wanted to teach, not be a scoreboard" all the time. 

 

However, back to my main subject...I donated the free pass partially because Oprah and Steven Colbert validated the site but also because I looked over the pleas for help from teachers...real teachers.  Some donation sites just feel like I'm tossing money into an administrative chasm.  I got the feeling today's donation will go directly to the teachers and students.  I hope so. 

 

Comparing Men To Horses

This all started with a question--Men want to meet as many women as possible, but why do they want to meet women?  

I had to reverse the question on myself--why would I want to meet men?  The answer was--I'm not looking to meet men.  I thought to myself, why not?  The answer came clear to me.  I already have fullfilling relationships with whom I spend time with.  The strangest thing is those meaningful relationships are with a lot of horses.  I have a bond with horses that I don't get from people.  I have to go deeper than words to understand them and in doing so I understand them deeper than I would a person.  

 

To answer my own question I observe my horse friends.  I've noticed more male gender horses are the ones that really give it their all to try and please me as a rider.  Female gender horses have goals, opinions on how to ride them or just plain tell me to back off, sit there and let them take the jump already.  Geldings try to impress me with as many moves as they know, get anxious over corrections, are a bundle of nerves when I'm not reassuring them when trying new things and generally consistently ask--am I doing it right?  Mares tell me if I don't like they way they are doing it--get off.  Don't tell me how to do a half-pass.  

I compare horses and people and find many similarities.  But I still ask--why does the male of the species want to please and meet women?  Do they crave what women have?

I turn to DW to ask--Why do you want to please your woman?  I got two answers.  First he said, because it's ingrained in us.  The other answer was because when women are happy good things happen.  

I happen to think it is possible men understand their happiness comes from seeing their woman happy.  They have found the key to their own self worth by making the one that makes them feel good, happy.  It feeds their ego and men are about ego.  Why do women drive men crazy?  Because men are trying to be the mind-readers women would like them to be so they can figure out women.  

While women are easy, women can be fickle too.  That's enough to make me crazy, I don't blame guys for breaking down and giving up.  But, one reason why I think men want to meet women is because it is ingrained in them to meet as many women as possible.  They aren't going to get the same kind of relationship with guys as gals.  Truly men do want intimacy in their lives.  They do want to share who they are.  They want a witness to their life and be able to point to us and say this person cares about what I do.  

I think that would be a good reason to be in a relationship--fulfillment.  The kind you don't get with horses or dogs.

Quote

Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible.  This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs. -- Maxwell Maltz

 

Competitors Are Not Enemies

I've observed some people have a mind-set that competition is a bad thing. 

Most consider competing with your-self is fine.  But I believe bad sports-man-like behavior, being a "poor-sport" or taking one's less than ideal outcome personally is the culprit for making competition the "bad apple".  

I compete with myself, but I also keep an eye out for others to cheer them on, give encouragement, and seek a better way of "doing".  When you compete your are pushing yourself to be better, but more important you compete to show what you know.  

It doesn't matter if it's work, sports, or other personal goals, the premise of competition is the same.  But instead of showing what they know, people concentrate on why they are better than everyone else.  That is not competition, that's insecure inferiority complex.  

When you come from a secure belief that you are doing all you can and giving all you have and are proud of your work, competition can push you further than you can push yourself.  

A great example is in a Harry Potter book when Hermione said to one of her fellow students that she admired them and how they helped her strive to be better.  She was cheering for her fellow and thanking her for the competition because she knows it helped her.  Yes competition can help you if you think of it in a different way.  

Fortunately, I can't think of another group that is more competitive and, conversely, supportive as a whole than writers.  Most writers support the effort of their fellows.  They applaud others triumphs because they know how difficult it is to complete projects let alone get published.  Even those who have talent have to have determination to continue writing.  Writers understand that competition makes them grow.  They also mumble under there breath and swear to themselves they need to do better.  They also compete with one another saying--"I can do better than this published piece of garbage."

Change your mind about competition and a whole new world awaits you; one with friends to cheer on, cohorts to show-off to, and like-minds to conspire with.  Your competitors have something in common with you.  In life that might mean you'd be friends.  Competition is what you make of it.  Competition is not your enemy, insecurity is.   

Word Play: Normal vs. Typical

Normal implies one is healthy yet I know of many "normal" behaviors that is very destructive.  When put that way when one says "normal" they don't mean healthy, the word they are really looking for is "typical".  

Normal for one person is not normal for another even though the word "normal" implies just that.  It might be normal for someone to go from one relationship to another in succession but that doesn't mean it's healthy or normal behavior--more likely that's normal for them but this relationship roulette is typical among young teens/adults.  

The word "typical" implies shame or blame -- two destructive emotions that in the right circumstance are needed but they are like salt--use sparingly.  

Really when someone says "they are normal" it means they can relate to that person.  Saying "that's typical" implies you don't approve of them.  Looking at synonyms of these words, normal and typical, invoke a certain amount of disdain.  " Normal " is like saying common, average, regular, or unexceptional.  While people want you to be "normal" they also want you to be unique, personable and out-of-the-ordinary but someone they can relate to.  It feels like an oxymoron to be unique but common.  

Each one of us is different, yet we are still people, the same race with the same needs.  We look for similarities within others which is good, but we go wrong when our gut reaction takes over and attacks when we find something different about our friend.  

Different so often equals bad to so many and it's a fear based survival instinct that's hard to identify and reason out.  We distance ourselves from those that we find different from us.  This is "typical" behavior but I don't find it a weakness I see it as it is--a survival trait.  

In the definition of the word everyone is normal.  Take heart that other people are normal too with typical behaviors not in the sense that they are different or healthy but in the same vein that we all struggle with being whom we are versus whom people want us to be.  

Acceptance of yourself and others will combat that nagging inside that tells you this person should be thinner or that person needs to be more secure.  Acceptance is not the same as apathy.  Acceptance is your peace with "normal" and "typical".  Acceptance is more often than not the key to your own happiness.  By no means does acceptance trounce on goals, aspirations or things you'll stand up for -- no, no don't mistake acceptance with apathy.  Acceptance is what makes it possible for you to look at the bigger picture and see that "normal" does not mean healthy and "typical" is not meant as a rebuff.  

So when you say "normal" consciously know you are making a judgment call and that normal does not mean better.  When a problem arises what is the typical solution?  Normal and typical have the same synonyms but they don't always mean the same thing.  They are words that are unique in sound, mean the same and yet we apply different meanings to them.  Just take note as to which meaning you intend and know the underlying message but use acceptance as a mediator. 

 

If It Wasn't Hard, It Wouldn't Be Worth It

As of late, I've been reading blogs about how hard it is to get a manuscript traditionally published.  (Long pause and a sigh inserted here.)

I've been reading so many that I've gotten weary of posts titled "How I got my agent".  The first three paragraphs explain how hard the author worked, how many doubts they had, how they were ready to turn back, how they asked themselves everyday "is this really what I want to do?", and also asked "why is so hard to find an agent?".

I'm starting to shy away from the "how I got my agent" advise.  Where's the fun?  Where's the adventures?  I don't want to know how you got your agent because it's like trying to solicit for a best friend.  Every story is different--yet everyone seems to have tremendous doubts about getting one.  

Where are the people that say this journey is amazing!  Oh, sure those posts say it at the end to keep the subject on a light note but the whole rest of the article is just a downer about the industry as a whole.  I don't want to concentrate about the industry as a whole.  If your personal legeng is to be published then wonderful!  I'm tired of woe-was-me stories and it turns out that published aurthors have more pressure than ever and STILL they say it's the best job in the world--GREAT!  Tell me those best job in the world stories!  

Why focus on the negative aspects when there is so much good about writing?  I'm sick of woe-stories.  So I'll give you a happy story instead.  Girl writes in diary.  Girl decides she likes writing.  Girl writes novel and goes to workshops to improve her writing.  Teacher tells girl she sucks but girl doesn't get upset.  Instead girl listens to teacher on how to make her WIP better.  Girl happily writes while researching HOW she's going to get published.  

Now a skilled writer will put in the inciting incident and the antagonist but you'll find girl is not insecure or worried because what will be, will be and you see girl swooshing aside negativity, rejection and doubt because she believes in herself.  Might be a boring story, but as I said a skilled writer could make it interesting.  Which the writer's I subscribe to are talented.  So hop to it guys!  There's a challenge.  Make it interesting but make your hero NOT insecure! 

Affections By Greeting Cards

It's time for you to sign your name on that birthday card but sometimes you want to say something personal even if the card already conveys what you feel.  

Cards can bring a laugh or convey sentiment and let the receiver know you care about them.  But just signing the card doesn't put that personal flare into it that you may want, yet you don't know what to say.  

The time comes to sign and deliver but you feel "put on the spot" or pressured to come up with something really good before sending that forget-me-not.  Even as a writer that thinks, plots and edits I find it hard sometimes to come up with something witty, funny, or sentimental to say.  We all get stuck but there is one thing for certain that you can convey and that is what is in your heart.  Wise words like this may seem a riddle too complicated to piece together but here are my steps to the words I write on cards. 
 

When it comes time to sign I close my eyes and envision that person in my mind.  If I can, I try to embody them in one word or a sentence.  Even if I don't know them extremely well, but want to convey they are part of my thoughts, then I think about them as how I see them.  I think about how I feel when I see them.  Happy, frustrated, sad all these will help you sum-up the words.  There are friends I've signed with "You're a rat-bastard and I love you for it." Knowing they wouldn't get offended.  Sometimes I'll insert phrases of a song that comes to mind.  But often times I can think of a time or place where they lifted my spirits or said a kind word and I tell them "remember when..." and end with "...you made my day, happy birthday."  

Sometimes I feel foolish or too vulnerable to say what I want to say but if I have the courage on that day to write down what is in my heart then it is a precious gift you give.  People respond to intimacy in a positive way because it is what everyone craves.  Emotions are the collective memories of an individual and if you can come from there the words will come. 

Why I Write

In the beginning it was fan-fic.  From one character that was my own introduction came a background.  This background shaped itself into my main character.  The other two "parts" of Marcus came along and explained themselves--like the two children under Christmas future's cloak they were my main character's flaws.  

From there the story was planted in my head like a thunder bolt, only A through Z did not include the letters in between.  I wrote the story but it wasn't what one might call "publishable"; fun for friends to read but not anything that would bring in money, at least in my point of view.  

I went to improve my writing and storytelling skills and found many mentors.  On my ninth draft I realized this was the story that was shaping out to be what I wanted and could be something that even a stranger might enjoy.  But the further I went along on my journey to become a better storyteller the less my stories became about sharing them with the world.  Not that I intend not to, but I do realize that monetary gain is the absolute zero of why I write.  

I write stories I want to read.  My sense of completion and professionalism will undoubtedly see these stories to publication.  Oh, yes, my "child" will not be thrown into the world to sink or swim, but will have all the know-how and capability to stand on its own.  It will be professional.  But it will be mine.  

Edit's will need to be something I can live with while collaborating with an editor.  It will be marketed the best I can but I will move forward.  Some people might think "you've put all this work, time and money into this how do you not want to make money off it?"  My answer will be that I will sell it, but a) it's my first book, b) I want to find out what it's like to do the entire process c) this is a hobby until it pays me or until I decide otherwise.  

If complete strangers buy my book and I'm able to sit and write more often then I will.  But I write so that the pictures, scenes, and characters themselves will get out of my head, have their say and leave me in peace.  Peace of mind is what drives me.  Creativity drives me.  When I don't write I travel inward, mumble to myself, see the scenes happening in some loop that doesn't end and don't see the sunshine.  When I do write at least I see the sunshine.  So I guess you could say that I write to see the light. 

Goals

Today marks a new tag for "Nose Dropings".   

"Goals" are an building block of success.  Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals are the outline or "frame" of achievements.  I like to review my goals twice a year at the very least and this is a post to keep me as close to the path as possible.  Goals can be detailed or abstract and I like structure with a bit of flexibility so I tend not to punish myself when I go astray.  Rather, I think, oh!  I do need to get back to that and continue on.  Some might consider my goals chores and if it's better for you to think of them as such then who am I to say nay?  I'm breaking off my goals into sections:

WRITING

Write 2,000/words a week.  (Not too lofty since I was writing over 1,000 words weekly last year)

Complete my current WIP.

Edit my current WIP.

Take one online workshop.

Blog every other work day.

EQUESTRIAN

Apollo:

Start putting level 1 movements in tests

Gunny:

Strengthen right side

Transition to canter on right with no changes of lead

LIFE

Keep on the quest to learn more about the language of men

Finish the endgame of Star Wars the Old Republic (it's a game)

Try not to be cruel to the cat. 

Stay on course to save for a house. 

Easy peazy goals!  No larger than life things just the ones I want.....................................