Here’s a quick video of Joel Comm getting over his writer’s block. His idea may help you, too.
I know, whenever I have any kind of creative block, I do as Joel suggests, and I remove myself from where I am. I saw a video years ago, can’t recall where, and they talked about this. They said when a ‘man’ (their words not mine) has a problem he needs to solve, he will usually do something to blow off steam. They showed a guy going out and playing basketball.
Then they said, LADIES, are you listening: “Women” (again, their words not mine) tend to dwell on their problems and don’t move pass them as easily. So, to prove them wrong (about women), I have always gone for a walk, gone for a drive, or even moved to another project. While I am doing the other activity, almost always, a light bulb goes off and I find my solution.
Just keep a small notebook and pen handy, so you can pick up where you left off…and bring your mittens (if you take Joel’s ‘uniquethink’ for locations to visit…)
Enjoy
By the way, if you have your own ‘uniquethink’ (a special trick or tip) for removing writer’s block, share it with everyone here, by commenting below.
For me, writer’s block often stems from a) lack of stimulation or b) lack of concentration. Both entail the same solution: get the hell out of the house, the office, or wherever I’m toiling at the time. That’s why coffee shops have become so popular — a nice combo of chemical, visual and musical stimuli to get the juices going again. I find that I personally do some of my best writing in sports bars, with their higher level of energy (and more potent chemicals).
Now the problem that I need a solution for is FINISHING: my laptop is filled with fragments and beginnings of dozens of great American novels and screenplays. Since I run my own business, my dream indulgence always get the backburner. Solutions?
The solution, as boring as it sounds, would be concentrate on a single idea until it is completed (when you aren’t working on a client’s project). Then, once it is done, you can start working on another ‘fragment’ that stimulates your mind.
Take advantage of your blog, too – for those who don’t know, Freddy, who posted the comment above, is the owner of http://coolrulespronto.com – a blog I enjoy visiting.
Freddy, why not post an excerpt from your favorite fragment on your blog for us to read? After all, isn’t that why we became bloggers, to shout out to the world all our amazing fragments and intriguing beginnings?
Maybe, if you do post an excerpt, people who comment will give you more inspiration to finish that piece.
Didn’t Chris Anderson, The Long Tail, do that with his book? He’d post some thoughts online and fed off the inspiration from his blog readers.
By the way, did anyone see “Starting Out in the Evening” – it comes out tomorrow on DVD and is about a writer with a 10 yr old novel he hasn’t finished… talk about writer’s block.
Anyone else have a solution for Freddy?