Writer's block: When one is writing, but lacks inspiration to continue with their project.
Writer's block is a fairly common affliction and it seems to afflict those who must write more than anyone else. Obviously, I have struggled with writer's block. My goal is to post on my blog twice weekly, but I seem to fall further and further behind on that. I'm trying to dedicate chunks of my mornings to getting ahead on my blog and working on upcoming posts.
Two a week may seem ambitious for a first set, but I know that the busier I am, the better I do. The problem is when I feel like I'm not able to say what I'm thinking, or think of what I want to say.
It's a struggle.
One of my professor's this spring made us practice stream-of-consciousness writing, which is when you write whatever you're thinking as you're thinking it, even if you keep writing, "I don't know what to write." Eventually you will begin to write, even if it's a crazy rant. It's a fun exercise to use if you're struggling with writer's block.
I also love the song, "Watch What Happens," from the musical Newsies. It starts with the words, " 'Write what you know'/So they say/All I know is/ I don't know what to write/Or the right way to write it." Listen here!
I love it. I've actually adopted it as my theme song, as I want to be a journalist.
I digress.
Writer's block is always something writers will struggle to overcome. I think for me it is because I find the words more eloquent in my head, and I can't stop myself editing as I write--which is incredibly distracting.
I think if you struggle with writer's block, you should definitely practice stream-of-consciousness writing. I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this blog post, for instance, but I'm trying to focus on actually writing and not thinking about what to write.
I mean, it's my blog. If I can't screw up here, is there any point?
I guess I am telling you to KEEP WRITING.
Write crazy. Write your thoughts--as they happen. Write what you're afraid to write; be transparent. Write and post even if you think it's bad. Because even if it is bad, you have to accept the criticism at some point. It will only make you better.
--Love,
Leah.
Writer's block is a fairly common affliction and it seems to afflict those who must write more than anyone else. Obviously, I have struggled with writer's block. My goal is to post on my blog twice weekly, but I seem to fall further and further behind on that. I'm trying to dedicate chunks of my mornings to getting ahead on my blog and working on upcoming posts.
Two a week may seem ambitious for a first set, but I know that the busier I am, the better I do. The problem is when I feel like I'm not able to say what I'm thinking, or think of what I want to say.
It's a struggle.
One of my professor's this spring made us practice stream-of-consciousness writing, which is when you write whatever you're thinking as you're thinking it, even if you keep writing, "I don't know what to write." Eventually you will begin to write, even if it's a crazy rant. It's a fun exercise to use if you're struggling with writer's block.
I also love the song, "Watch What Happens," from the musical Newsies. It starts with the words, " 'Write what you know'/So they say/All I know is/ I don't know what to write/Or the right way to write it." Listen here!
I love it. I've actually adopted it as my theme song, as I want to be a journalist.
I digress.
Writer's block is always something writers will struggle to overcome. I think for me it is because I find the words more eloquent in my head, and I can't stop myself editing as I write--which is incredibly distracting.
I think if you struggle with writer's block, you should definitely practice stream-of-consciousness writing. I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this blog post, for instance, but I'm trying to focus on actually writing and not thinking about what to write.
I mean, it's my blog. If I can't screw up here, is there any point?
I guess I am telling you to KEEP WRITING.
Write crazy. Write your thoughts--as they happen. Write what you're afraid to write; be transparent. Write and post even if you think it's bad. Because even if it is bad, you have to accept the criticism at some point. It will only make you better.
--Love,
Leah.