Intense Writer's Block. Need Advice.

**Aristaeus** · 07-20-2011 06:45 AM

Greetings,

For about a year now I have been suffering from a bad case of writer's block and was hoping to get some advice from any fellow experienced writers in this board. I am really not one to trouble others with mine personal problems; however, when it comes to this particular matter I am beginning to grow a little desperate, and do not know if I can handle another several months of this blockage.

Anyhow, here is mine issue at hand:

For about three to four years now I have been working on a slow-paced, intellectual drama/romance novel series (not the trashy romance, mind you), which takes place in the real, modern world. I have done lots and lots of extensive research for this series of stories, and have generally plotted everything out. However...I just cannot get started. It is not that I am void of ideas or inspiration, and it is not that my imagination or creativity has run dry--I just cannot bring myself to actually start writing the blasted story. And I know not why. I have written (or, at least, half written) a short spinoff of the series for practice, which has helped me further organize and improve the main plot(s), but even that particular project has come to a standstill.

Simply put, I just need some advice on how I may be able to move past this hurdle. I will admit, I am not very confident in my writing ability, despite the positive comments from the few individuals whom have read my work. (Shrugs) Perhaps that partially has something to do with it.

...But, anyhow, for the few whom might give a hoot, what do you think I should do?

Thanks in advance.

**IAmCoder** · 07-20-2011 06:52 AM

You might die tomorrow. Seriously. Then not even the first page of the blasted story will survive.

Also, find someone that can hold you accountable, and promise to have something written for them to proof read. E.g.: I will check my pm inbox tomorrow and if I do not find the first page there I will write on your wall what a girl-pants you are. So, better focus on your death - this might just be the last page you get to write.

**Savy** · 07-23-2011 05:53 AM

Personally I have trouble starting projects as well.
I have two main ways to overcome this:

1. I force myself. I go somewhere outside, somewhere public (starbucks or any other coffee shop works well)
and literally sit there until I write something. I don't allow myself to do anything else until I have written something.

2. I like to start at the most clear scene or part of the story/poem/whatever I have in my head. Basically start at
the part that you want to write the most and just write it. Who says you have to start from the beginning anyways?
You can always go back and add that in later, anyways.

Maybe that will help. I dunno.

**[SomeGuy]** · 07-25-2011 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Savy

Personally I have trouble starting projects as well.
I have two main ways to overcome this:

1. I force myself. I go somewhere outside, somewhere public (starbucks or any other coffee shop works well)
and literally sit there until I write something. I don't allow myself to do anything else until I have written something.

2. I like to start at the most clear scene or part of the story/poem/whatever I have in my head. Basically start at
the part that you want to write the most and just write it. Who says you have to start from the beginning anyways?
You can always go back and add that in later, anyways.

Maybe that will help. I dunno.

I have never written a song in the order of parts that you hear it in

**Aristaeus** · 07-26-2011 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by Savy

...start at the part that you want to write the most and just write it. Who says you have to start from the beginning anyways? You can always go back and add that in later, anyways.

Hmm, that is certainly one way to do things. Although, even when I have done that, the beginning always has remained just as difficult to execute. And without the beginning, the story is pretty much ruined, in my opinion. Ergo, I have always been prone to start any project from the very beginning. Once I get past that point, once I just get that starting passage done, the rest is virtually a breeze.

(Shrugs) I guess I am just being too much of a conservative, as usual. Thanks to all for the advice; it has been a good help.

**tommo** · 07-26-2011 03:07 PM

Roll it up, light it up, smoke it up.
Inhale.... exhale....

**Dowzen** · 07-26-2011 03:23 PM

I write a fair bit. I'm not an expert or anything, but my work has been seen by about 50,000-100,000 people, and got a pretty good response. A couple of years back I wrote a novella, sent it to a couple of agents, got knocked back. Then I realized the world didn't need another hack writer trying to "make it" in fiction. The world desperately needs researchers who can look for new solutions for farming, energy, water and other problems, then distill the information and publicize it to a wide audience.

So I turned my hand to non-fiction... Then I realized there were so many stories in "the real world" that I could never write them all. I've never had writers block. I have low-inspiration days, on those I just revise and proofread. On high inspiration days I feel I could write with six arms and dictate to 5 secretaries at the same time.

To be blunt, when I see someone trying to force themselves to write fiction and they can't do it, I just think: Who cares? I know that sounds rude, but the way I see it; there are millions of people in pain out there, and they aren't going to be helped by another work of fiction.

Each to his own and all that, we need fiction, it's important. I love reading great novels. But the world needs writers who will turn their hands to the big issues of our time. If someone's trying to invent stories and can't do it, I can't feel much sympathy. I know you weren't asking for sympathy, and you have a right to write whatever the hell you like... but you asked what I thought.

Statistically, 99 out of 100 fiction writers are going to end up on a slush pile, those are the figures. Maybe you have writers block cos your soul is stifled and it wants to take a different path.

OK off my soapbox now.