On Writer's Block
Nov. 8th, 2004 03:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
purplerabbitThe following is something I posted in response to another person's request for suggestions of dealing with writer's block. I thought I would repost it here because it tells a bit about my process.
As you probably are well aware of from my journal, I have suffered through some pretty intense writer's blocks over the years. I also have three nonfiction books out and am a good chunk into my novel.
My suggestion is to find a ritual that works for you. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. I have found that it requires an altered state of consciousness for me to write well. In my youth, sleep deprivation and stress provided that. I have found other ways now.
First, I make sure I have a quiet comfortable space to work in. Tea and munchies at hand so there won't be excuses to leave the work. When I am working on the novel, I mix myself an herb tincture that helps focus my mental and physical energies. I meditate/charge the portion, calling upon the spirits of the characters and my patron deity to help me focus, to help the words flow from my heart. Then I put on music that suits the mood of what I want to write. Sometimes nothing happens. Most times, magic happens.
For the nonfiction work, I surround myself with the materials I will draw from. I charge a special candle to the work at hand. I reread and reread the related material until it sparks something in my mind.
I would also suggest to not be afraid of starring off into space for hours at a time. Most of writing for me at least is thinking. Typing the words is only a small fraction of the process.
Hope this helps... Feel free to talk with me any time. Sometimes chatting about what you want to write can prime the pump.
As you probably are well aware of from my journal, I have suffered through some pretty intense writer's blocks over the years. I also have three nonfiction books out and am a good chunk into my novel.
My suggestion is to find a ritual that works for you. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. I have found that it requires an altered state of consciousness for me to write well. In my youth, sleep deprivation and stress provided that. I have found other ways now.
First, I make sure I have a quiet comfortable space to work in. Tea and munchies at hand so there won't be excuses to leave the work. When I am working on the novel, I mix myself an herb tincture that helps focus my mental and physical energies. I meditate/charge the portion, calling upon the spirits of the characters and my patron deity to help me focus, to help the words flow from my heart. Then I put on music that suits the mood of what I want to write. Sometimes nothing happens. Most times, magic happens.
For the nonfiction work, I surround myself with the materials I will draw from. I charge a special candle to the work at hand. I reread and reread the related material until it sparks something in my mind.
I would also suggest to not be afraid of starring off into space for hours at a time. Most of writing for me at least is thinking. Typing the words is only a small fraction of the process.
Hope this helps... Feel free to talk with me any time. Sometimes chatting about what you want to write can prime the pump.
