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Writer's Block

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

Sonja said…
Awww that is so great!
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)
Jo said…
I love this post! With any artistic endeavor, the perfect time will never come, and would probably yield something pretty boring anyway.

Now is the time, and those little ideas that manage to sneak their way onto your paper will blossom into great things!
Meher said…
When you start with a novel, its better if you sketch out th story first, so that even if you're stuck on how to write, you at least know what to write. Its something I realized with my last stupid short story that got stuck. Yep.
Brandi said…
I need to start doing. This is such an incredible reminder, Kaylia. My first goal: write two papers and make it through finals. Actually I need to apply this "sit down and just write" to those two papers.

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...
Tiq said…
Oh, how I wish I have the talent to write a novel.
But you my dear, I would love to get one copy once you've finished! :)
Jessica said…
Brava! I for one would love to read a book penned by you - your blog's writings are so enjoyable I can only imagine how much further you can go! Thanks for speaking a very simple fact.
My advice is to write every day. Even if you end up scrapping what you wrote the next day it's good to get into the practice of doing it.
Design Elements said…
just read a quote by Tony Robbins "Personal power is the ability to take action". lovely greetings
Bonnie said…
Writer's block is kind of the story of my life.
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
becky said…
I hope you don't find it strange or offensive or inappropriate of me to say but you are such a woman after my own heart - the more I read of your blog the more I realise just how much we have in common - just how many of your passions are my own.

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
k said…
that is so true!!! good luck with writing :) :)
kimbirdy said…
yes! exactly!! action is the best cure for writer's block i think. also, morning pages {http://www.theartistsway.com/the-basic-tools}. i usually get so many more ideas after writing out three pages of random STUFF that's piled up in my head. 7000 words is impressive! keep going! ra! ra! ra! :)
tattytiara said…
A friend of mine started a novel thirteen years ago. Last year she decided to sit down and finish it. I read it over Christmas. She's working on the sequel now. Go for it!!!
Chelsea Finn said…
This is such a wonderful post. One of the things I want to do before I die is write a novel and I have been sitting around thinking one day I will just suddenly feel inspired to start, but maybe I need to make myself start! Thank you for this inspiring post. :)

<3Chelsea Elizabeth
http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com
false said…
You would love the book, The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp (I think).
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.
Sara Louise said…
I have to get out of the house to write. So four days a week, I go to my local cafe, have a coffee and write for an hour. It's amazing how much easier it is for me without the distractions of the house around me. Good luck!
Design Elements said…
thanks for your lovely comment! have a great weekend!
Kelly said…
This is so true! And applies to more than just writing. If we all just waited for the perfect timing, half the books wouldn't have been writing, the films wouldn't have been made, babies wouldn't have been born! You've got the spirit to write!
becky said…
In reply to your comment: I would absolutely love to go to Paris in December---having been during summer, I would love, absolutely love, to see what that city is like at my favourite time of year. On your travels, will you be coming to England?
Nadia said…
I am having writers block with my story right now. I am not a good novel writer, I prefer short stories. It always seems like I can never think of enough thinks to happen in a long story.
Deidre said…
it's definitely important to just force yourself to do things sometimes instead of waiting for it to "feel" like the moment when inspiration could hit!

Well done you!
Jillian said…
writing everyday was part of the reason why i started my blog. even though there are many times when i don't say much, at least i'm saying SOMETHING. and that satisfies me. this may seem like a no-brainer but i find that the more you write, the less writer's block you get.

i applaud your determination!

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