“How do you personally deal with writer’s block?” #atozchallenge2017

There’s no such thing as writer’s block. At least, that’s what Neil Gaiman and some writers say.

I don’t really believe in writer’s block, but I absolutely believe in getting stuck…The difference is one is imposed on you by the gods, and one is your own d*mn fault.” (Neil Gaiman, The Huffington Post)

I agree with him, in a way. But I also believe it’s all just a play of words because whether you call it ‘writer’s block’ or ‘writer getting stuck’, it’s all the same banana. It’s a temporary obstacle writers face, something most writers go through at least once in their lives. That makes it real. It exists because it happens and is experienced.

A writer acknowledging he has a temporary writing problem does not necessarily make him lazy. The only question is, what must a writer do to not get stuck for long?

Of course, the best and most correct answer would be to continue writing. Unfortunately, not all writers are the same when it comes to how they get stuck and how they try to ease out of it. So I thought it would be fun to know what weird or unique ways writers do to battle the block. I made use of my new bestfriend, Quora, and posted this question:

“How do you personally deal with writer’s block?”

Writer’s block is real, but we also know it can be ‘cured’ by continuing to write. What OTHER unique, specific and effective techniques have you personally done to get over it? It would be interesting to find out quirky, fun and unique ways writers battle the block.

I got quite the answers from various writers, mostly published authors. There were the usual answers like the writer’s-block-is-not-real ones, there were “techniques” I was familiar with as I do them as well, and then there were the really unique ones that made my day!

Read for yourselves. I am sharing some of them. Maybe we can try them, too.

First is Larry Dixon, Fantasy and Sci-Fi writer, plus editor, among other things.

This was rather long but I thought I’d share the whole thing. He made a good and rather interesting point. I liked the perspective he shared. I thanked him for it and he said, “It helps me to turn what feels like a tragedy to other writers into a pleasant puzzle.”

Now, for the more uniquely innovative answers, we first have Elke Weiss, writer and song lyricist. Our exchange follows. And yes, she shared a recording as proof. I have linked to the recording, just click on the screenshot.

Jeremy Landry is next. He’s a “moron that loves answering questions”…Hey, his words, not mine, okay?!! But he writes, too, so this is legit.

Very interesting! Sometimes I do that, but not to that extent. I don’t think he mentioned anything about being in theatre, but I wouldn’t be surprised. If you’re a writer doing that, you better make sure you are alone.

Meanwhile, John Morris is a Creative Scientist, at least that’s how he describes himself. He does have very practical tips for writers.

Kamila Miller is very generous in giving practical advice, after all, she has had much experience as EM Prazeman (for historical fantasy fiction), Tammy Owen (for memoirs), and  KZ Miller or Kamila Miller (for contemporary fantasy and short stories). I did break down her answer in parts.

And then we have Adam J. Taylor, writer and a whole lot of other things–Sherlockian, Fannibal, TFOL, Partial Whovian, etc.

There were more answers shared that I’m not able to post here. How about you, how do you go around the writer’s block? Please feel free to share!

If you are curious about what the others had to say, you can find the whole Q&A page HERE.

 

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Well, I’m glad you’re back here from last time, or if this is your first time here, welcome, friends! Come back again tomorrow, alright? In fact, come back every weekday and on Saturdays this whole month of April (and maybe I’ll post stuff on Sundays, too)  😉

B is for “Block”

This piece serves as my Letter B post for the A to Z Challenge 2017.