writer's block...

[Big Flannel]

...is a motherfucker.

In my spare time I enjoy writing stories. This joy has led me to undertake the tedious and frustrating process of writing a novel. In typical Big Flannel fashion, I had to go all out so decided on a story arc that spans three books. Herein lies the problem:

I have a pretty good understanding of where we start and where we end. Unfortunately, as of late, I've been unable to channel my juicy juices into anything productive from a literary standpoint. I consider myself to be relatively creative, but when I sit down at the keyboard I often find myself unable to put my ideas on the screen.

Do any of you guys write for fun? I know a few of us do and I'd like to know what tools you employ to overcome this dreadful affliction.

Bourbon helps.

[Agileguy]

I used to write a lot when I was younger. I miss it a lot, the inspiration just hasn't hit me yet. Maybe I need to just dive back in.

Anyway, I'd recommend taking a day off and take a solo trip to somewhere high up with a beautiful view. Cliche, but it works.

That or mushrooms.

[LesStrat]

I used to write a lot at the SDUGF.

[GoldenVulture]

I used to write endless amounts of four line verse. Basically for song writing pursuits but not always in song form, just four line verse and trying to keep my language common and direct.

Her ya go; Staight off the top of my head.

If I was going to do it now
Would I sit and wonder how
no I'd start off straight away
Not tomorrow, but today.

:toast:

[Dr. Vegetable]

My art is writing code. Believe it or not, computer geeks get writer's block too.

You can't force it. You can't sit down and say "I'm going to make some art now." You have to let your mind do other things until something synthesizes in there. Then write it all down until you can't write any more - no editing along the way. Your editor can fix your grammar when you're dead. Don't slow down to get each sentence perfect. If you can't think of the right word, or if you can't decide between three clever ways of saying the same thing, leave an empty space and fill it in later. Don't lose your creative momentum.

And if you need to, set it aside and work on something else.

[johnjohn]

It happens.

I haven't written fiction for a while, but I can still get stuck on what I want to say next when I write.

Visualization helps, imagine what is going to happen and then just write down what you saw in your mind.

Also reading out loud what you have written is helpful as I try to make my writing to be like having a conversation, not a dry rambling fact puke. So by saying it out loud I've found that if it doesn't make sense to say it sure won't make sense to read.

My wife was having problems with her papers and I suggested she do this and she's found it helps.

[LesStrat]

I prefer writing fact pukes.

[johnjohn]

Pass

When my wife gets really bogged down in assignments I'll write one or two of them for her unimportant courses.
Oh god, the material they provide and suggest you reference is so painful to wade through.
It is interesting, however, when you reference back to the original source material in it's entirety and go through that as opposed to whatever they've chosen to support their stance.

I bet if more people who thump the PC drum did that the support for that ideology would errode very quickly.
I've read political PR releases that have less spin and have more supported facts than a lot of those 'studies'.

[kinnikuman]

Big flannel we should combine forces. I will do the artwork and you can write a short story to go with them?

Here's one i am working on.

[LesStrat]

A TMNT mated with ET. Now the offspring wants to phone home. The end.