Noelle - Writer's Block Saturday

Hi y'all!
So I've been up to a lot recently (mostly skimming Pinterest, but hey!  I have hobbies!) and writing is one of those things - RMS fans will be happy to hear that yes, yes I am working on The Betrayers, really and truly.  I'm also working on creating the edited version of The Warriors, where I'll fix a few small mistakes that slipped through the cracks when I was originally editing.  When I finished book one I wasn't even sure where I was going to go from there, so there's foreshadowing for things that never happen and it's incredibly frustrating for me as an author and I'm sure even more frustrating for you as a reade-

Wow this intro got way off track.

Ahem.

ANYWAY, I've been doing a lot of writing recently, and struggling with something all writers claim to be familiar with: writers block.

And I have something to claim.  WRITER'S BLOCK IS NOT REAL.


Now before you get mad at me, this is not my original thing!!   Andrew Clements, the author of Frindle and many other awesome best selling books (also, my personal hero and the guy who probably inspired me to start writing....he practically lives in a shed by himself when he's writing.  SEE MOM I'M NORMAL) said the same thing.

(this is to Mom, and any other concerned parents reading this blog.  We're not crazy.  Promise *evil cackling*)

Now, you're probably still not over what I just said, so I'll say it again.

WRITER'S BLOCK IS NOT REAL.

Now yes, there are times when you're not inspired.  That's always going to happen.  And sometimes, when you're struggling through that time when inspiration is nowhere, you're going to want to quit.  I'll let you in on a little secret:  I wanted to quit blogging.

GASP.

I know, I know.  And I discovered that I simply couldn't just stop doing something that I loved and enjoyed.

Anyway, today I'm going to go through the do's and don't's of getting over writer's block lack of immediate inspiration.

Do:  Get up and move around
I know this may seem like a cliché response to writer's block, but I find it's extremely helpful to just walk away.  Rollerblade around the neighborhood, lie on the ground, chase your dog (or dogs, in JJ's case)  Do what it takes.

Don't:  Try and force yourself to write
This will only cause a spiral of miserable frustration.  Trust me.  I'm an expert.

(Noelle has a random whovian moment)

Do: write some poetry

My school writing coach suggested this to me.  This is especially helpful if you're trying to write an emotionally difficult scene.  Don't bother with rhyming or form, just try and capture that emotion in a poem.

Don't: switch to something with the same form of writing

If you're stuck on a blog post, switch to something formal.  If you're frustrated with a novel, write a very short story.  SWITCH UP YOUR WRITING STYLE.  It's very important to be able to do this: being consistent in your writing may be 'correct', but it's also boring.

Do: Just stop writing

No, I don't mean quit.  I mean, walk away, come back in 24 hours.  I find that sometimes I have to wait longer than that - if I write an extremely emotionally heavy day, not only do I have to wait for multiple days, but I know that the next day I'm going to be grumpy and emotionless.  I turn into a post-writing zombie.

But I mean, c'mon.  It's writing.  You gotta put your heart into it (and occasionally your brain...and everything else.  Zombie, remember?)

Don't: Forget that you were writing

This frustrates future you.  It frustrates your readers.  It frustrates me.

CAPTAIN AMERICA HAS SPOKEN

Do: Remember what writing feels like and describe that

This sounds ridiculous, but believe me.  It.  Is.  Worth it.  Not only does it give you some practice in describing internal feelings and physical sensations, but it also helps you capture what it feels like when you're writing.   Why do you write anyway?  These are questions you should ask yourself (but don't be too serious about this.  Idk just be cool)

(how about I post my version of this feeling capture thing next Saturday?  Sure?  Okay will do)

Don't:  Bang your head against the desk

Actually, this is acceptable.  You may proceed.  Just don't cause damage

(Noelle has a random Hunger Games moment)

Still having issues with writing?  Well, I don't know what to tell you.  Just that forcing writing is never a good thing and sometimes working on something constantly isn't a good thing.  Okay?  Okay.

(Noelle has a random Fault in Our Stars moment.  Wow, this post is filled with references to things I don't read/watch.  Captain America not included)

See you next Saturday, my lovely readers!