Let’s dive into the tricky and frustrating world of writer's block—shorthand for not having written in a while, and feeling unable to write—and come out the other side with some tricks for breaking through it and maintaining a steady writing flow. I want to share with you all a better understanding of writer's block, gift you some new tools for staying on track with your writing, and give you the mindset and energy to tackle whatever writing project you want to pursue with confidence and ease.
I love this! When I´m feeling blocked, exhausted, I just write on my diary, utterly freedom. I make drawings, all for me, not to be shown to anyone. i give it time.. i walk... rest, sleep... the creative mind eventually comes back... Thank you, Esmé, loved reading about writing :)
I recall a tongue-in-cheek quip by Danlil Kharms, who was a Russian revolutionary during the time of czars. (There’s a beautiful collection of shorts called “Today I Wrote Nothing”)
He writes, “I was most happy when pen and paper were taken from me and I was forbidden from doing anything. I had no anxiety about doing nothing by my own fault, my conscience was clear, and I was happy. This was when I was in prison.”
Esme, your one-day class looks AMAZING. The entire Academy does! I have been drooling over your website. And thank you for the shout-out for my writing prompts and exercises at Writing in the Dark! I love constraints and the brain science and creative/cognitive theory behind them and had a major shift in my own writing about 12 years ago thanks to a very unconventional writing workshop and brilliant teacher, so I love sharing that experience with others.
I recently received another rejection on an essay that is deeply personal. It hurts this time of the year while thinking of my husband, who passed 2 years ago. I just want some good news.
But sharing with a friend and finding myself dig a little deeper has helped my attitude towards (soon) editing, resubmitting and umtimately finding it a home ❤️
Thank you for these tips and offerings. Super helpful. If I just put my butt in the chair and tell myself, “time to write”, I struggle. My brain ignites by moving. My writing always begins while walking when I’ll just voice text /voice notes all of it to myself then later weed through it to transcribe it and begin the actual process of writing. I don’t know how long this will sustain me so I appreciate your advice here. Figuring out where we are blocked is crucial (I’m learning, in many ways, not just writing) 🙃
It doesn't reliably work to lift me from the Slough of Despond, but I've found that spending time -- *working* -- at other creative endeavors can help in removing the sludge from my brain. I love to bake, and cook (so long as someone else cleans up!). I have "artist's block," as well, and haven't picked up my sketchpad in many months. I'm not so invested in being an "artist" as I am a "writer," though, and if you could watch me at my daily life it would be obvious that I'm invested in neither so much as I am in housework. Sigh. But you, and Jeannine, and @Summer Brennan, et al., are inspiring and helping as well. I shall emerge triumphant after 500 years (well, time is relative) from my icy sarcophagus, the New Ice Maiden of Ampato. And knock all your mismatched socks off. 😂
I love this! When I´m feeling blocked, exhausted, I just write on my diary, utterly freedom. I make drawings, all for me, not to be shown to anyone. i give it time.. i walk... rest, sleep... the creative mind eventually comes back... Thank you, Esmé, loved reading about writing :)
Yes—I’m the same way! Doing things that are creative and Not Writing™ is so helpful. And the writing mind does come back. A nudge helps!
I recall a tongue-in-cheek quip by Danlil Kharms, who was a Russian revolutionary during the time of czars. (There’s a beautiful collection of shorts called “Today I Wrote Nothing”)
He writes, “I was most happy when pen and paper were taken from me and I was forbidden from doing anything. I had no anxiety about doing nothing by my own fault, my conscience was clear, and I was happy. This was when I was in prison.”
I *love* that quote. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Esme, your one-day class looks AMAZING. The entire Academy does! I have been drooling over your website. And thank you for the shout-out for my writing prompts and exercises at Writing in the Dark! I love constraints and the brain science and creative/cognitive theory behind them and had a major shift in my own writing about 12 years ago thanks to a very unconventional writing workshop and brilliant teacher, so I love sharing that experience with others.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I recently received another rejection on an essay that is deeply personal. It hurts this time of the year while thinking of my husband, who passed 2 years ago. I just want some good news.
But sharing with a friend and finding myself dig a little deeper has helped my attitude towards (soon) editing, resubmitting and umtimately finding it a home ❤️
Thank you for these tips and offerings. Super helpful. If I just put my butt in the chair and tell myself, “time to write”, I struggle. My brain ignites by moving. My writing always begins while walking when I’ll just voice text /voice notes all of it to myself then later weed through it to transcribe it and begin the actual process of writing. I don’t know how long this will sustain me so I appreciate your advice here. Figuring out where we are blocked is crucial (I’m learning, in many ways, not just writing) 🙃
It doesn't reliably work to lift me from the Slough of Despond, but I've found that spending time -- *working* -- at other creative endeavors can help in removing the sludge from my brain. I love to bake, and cook (so long as someone else cleans up!). I have "artist's block," as well, and haven't picked up my sketchpad in many months. I'm not so invested in being an "artist" as I am a "writer," though, and if you could watch me at my daily life it would be obvious that I'm invested in neither so much as I am in housework. Sigh. But you, and Jeannine, and @Summer Brennan, et al., are inspiring and helping as well. I shall emerge triumphant after 500 years (well, time is relative) from my icy sarcophagus, the New Ice Maiden of Ampato. And knock all your mismatched socks off. 😂
KNOCK ALL OUR MISMATCHED SOCKS OFF, INDEED!!!!!
What’s helped you in the past with your writer’s block?