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Overcoming Writer's Block

blog.streetwriters.co

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Re: Overcoming Writer's Block

#31

Post by ghaff »

itsmemattchung wrote: post #2

My entire perspective on "writer's block" shifted after surreptitiously stumbling on Jerry Weinberg's book "The fieldstone method". I very rarely now start with a blank page and very rarely beat myself up for "writer's block". In a nutshell, the book describes how the act of writing can be broken down into many stages: sometimes you are collecting "fieldstones" (i.e. research), sometimes you editing, and sometimes yo…

I don't disagree. But I'd offer the caveat that research (or "research") can end up being a very power form of procrastination--all the more so because it's ostensibly connected to your eventual goal.

But, as I say, I agree in general and it's one reason I like to start out in Scrivener for biggest projects. It lets me pull in research and start working on some bite-sized chunks related to that research (or other material) rather than trying to craft some grand narrative starting from a blank sheet. (The narrative hook can be the hardest thing to come up with so it may very well not be what you want to start with. (You'll probably throw it out anyway.)

Re: Overcoming Writer's Block

#32

Post by ghaff »

blindm wrote: post #5

I only write about things I have intimate knowledge of. Writing about anything I don't have a deep interest in feels forced and contrived. I follow this saying when writing: I don't write because I want something to say, I write because I have something to say

It depends what you're doing with your writing. Sometimes you just need to get words down on a page because it's your job even if it's not a topic you necessarily feel super-comfortable with or think you have great insights to offer. And, in fact, I find relatively little correlation between my "passion" for a particular topic and the popularity of the piece.

Re: Overcoming Writer's Block

#33

Post by taphangum »

itsmemattchung wrote: post #2

My entire perspective on "writer's block" shifted after surreptitiously stumbling on Jerry Weinberg's book "The fieldstone method". I very rarely now start with a blank page and very rarely beat myself up for "writer's block". In a nutshell, the book describes how the act of writing can be broken down into many stages: sometimes you are collecting "fieldstones" (i.e. research), sometimes you editing, and sometimes yo…

This.

If you're feeling a block, then first work around the work, eventually you'll be working ON the work.

Re: Overcoming Writer's Block

#34

Post by jonsen »

andi999 wrote: post #29
itsmemattchung wrote: post #2

My entire perspective on "writer's block" shifted after surreptitiously stumbling on Jerry Weinberg's book "The fieldstone method". I very rarely now start with a blank page and very rarely beat myself up for "writer's block". In a nutshell, the book describes how the act of writing can be broken down into many stages: sometimes you are collecting "fieldstones" (i.e. research), sometimes you editing, and sometimes yo…

Unfortunately this book doesnt seem tonbe available anywhere anymore, is it?

Ten dollars on the Kindle store, or buy it used.

Re: Overcoming Writer's Block

#35

Post by ttamslam »

thecodrr wrote: post #18
ButWhatFor wrote: post #6

I find that the “two minute rule” works pretty well. Whatever you want to do, set a timer for two minutes. Hit start and do that thing for two minutes and really beleive that after two minutes you can stop. Once you get going you rarely stop after two minutes. But telling your brain only twos minutes, and let’s see what happens, kind of let’s your brain give you two minutes to focus. Oh, and go write without a comput…

Yes! That's the reason we created the Call of Writing app [0]. You can set timer ranging from 1 minute to 60 minutes or 75 words to 1500 words. You can't pause until the end. It's much like (and inspired) the Most Dangerous Writing App. It's available on Web [0], iOS [1] and Android [2]. [0] https://callofwriting.com/ [1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.streetwrit... [2] https://apps.apple.com/app/i…

Nice app! Both my partner and I liked it a lot. Heads up, there’s a typo in your “share” copy:

Have you checked out this amazing writing app? It has been helping me alot with my writing. Try it out! I am sure you will love it!

Download from App Store itms-apps://itunes.apple.com/app/id1536533658

Re: Overcoming Writer's Block

#36

Post by schaefer »

itsmemattchung wrote: post #2

My entire perspective on "writer's block" shifted after surreptitiously stumbling on Jerry Weinberg's book "The fieldstone method". I very rarely now start with a blank page and very rarely beat myself up for "writer's block". In a nutshell, the book describes how the act of writing can be broken down into many stages: sometimes you are collecting "fieldstones" (i.e. research), sometimes you editing, and sometimes yo…

I picked up this book based on your recommendation. Thank you! It's so great.
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