One thing I say a lot, and I’m sure many of you have said this plenty of times as well over the years, are the words ‘One day I am going to write a novel.’
Some of us may have even started. I know I have. Oh so many times. In fact, there is one I am working on (working being a very loose term) right now. However, after a measly 7000 words, writer's block struck. I had no idea where I was going with this story. Not a clue. And so I sat, waiting for motivation to come. But motivation did not come, and so my story rested there. Unfinished and lonely.
Yesterday I decided to try again. Of course my first step was googling ‘how to write’, as we all know that google has the answer to everything. I wanted a quick fix, something so effective that I would never have to worry about writer’s block again. One novel? Forget it, I was going to write thousands.
However, a quick fix I did not find. Instead, I found some very good advice. Sometimes you have to sit down and force yourself to write.
So I sat. And stared at the blank screen. I sat there, though no ideas were coming to me. And really thought. And finally, once I was long past the point where I would have normally given up, inspiration struck. A plan was formed. And the gigantic steel gate in my mind that prevented any ideas getting through, opened a little. Not much, just enough for a few little ideas to sneak through.
But it’s those little ideas that can make all the difference.
I don’t want to sit around waiting for the perfect moment to write. I don’t want to wait for school and work and life to ease up a little and give me space to breathe.
I want to write now, not wait around for opportunities that may never even come.
Imagine how many amazing stories would be born, if all of those who said they wanted to write a novel stopped waiting and started doing.
Comments
I haven't tried writing a novel, but I know what an amazing feeling that is from doing other creative projects, it's true you really just have to force yourself to think.
Nice job!
I want to read this novel when it's done! :o)
Now is the time, and those little ideas that manage to sneak their way onto your paper will blossom into great things!
And can I tell you, I google everything. Most recently: "how to turn a guy friend into a boyfriend." Not that I want a boyfriend right now, but I'd like to at least figure out how to get my crush to kiss me. Sigh...
But you my dear, I would love to get one copy once you've finished! :)
I have partially written a novel. I don't know if I will ever return to it.
I am currently writing a few papers for grad school. I have severe writer's block on all of them.
My best remedy to writer's block is to multitask while thinking about your subject. I tend to do 39232342 things at once, and this distraction often leads to some epiphany in my writing.
http://glamkittenslitterbox.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
I hope you persist with your writing---I cannot think of a more rewarding endeavour ('cept maybe teaching, which you're already heading to...)! I am so excited for you because I remember that first-couple-of-pages excitement that you get from beginning a story, when everything is so new and fresh and filled with such literary possibility. I have to admit that I have a story somewhere on my computer - one that is still very close to my heart, I might add - that I never wrote more than 30 or so pages of. I wish to one day pick it up again---it will always be a dream of mine to do so. And you might have guessed that the reason I haven't done so yet is that very same type of block you discuss in this post. I look forward to more writing revelations! x
<3Chelsea Elizabeth
http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com
It's all about how you have to make it a habit to get creative by.. well.. as an example, carving out an hour a day where you MUST sit in front of your computer and type out three pages. Some days, it might be total garbage.. some days it might be gold.. but you can always go back and draw inspiration from what you've written, or find inspiration in the garbage. It's really a great book.
Well done you!
i applaud your determination!