This is not writers block, but i can't seem to get myself to write

June 8, 2009 6:35am CST
For the past one month or more, i haven't been able to pen down any of the thoughts i have swirling in my head for a novel i am working on. It is not writers' block, i tell myself, since i'm full of ideas and have already worked the plots out. It's just that i can't get myself to actually WRITE! Has this happened to you before? And were you able to work through it?
4 responses
@sierras236 (2739)
• United States
8 Jun 09
You do have a form of writer's block. Only the disconnect is not in the ideas but in getting them down. I find I have this problem sometimes. For me, it is based on emotions or moods. The stronger my emotions or mood the stronger the urge to write. There are a couple of ways to deal with this. Set a deadline for writing. I find that this is a great motivator. Also find your writing trigger or what sets you off and drives you to write. You could also need to take a break from writing especially if you had a hectic bunch of deadlines the previous month. It could be your ideas haven't gelled enough to be expressed yet. Finally, you might just have to force yourself to write. Write even though you don't want to or feel like it. It could be the actual starting part that is giving you a problem.
8 Jun 09
right now, i don't quite see anything motivating me. since i got pregnant, my health and mood has been one roller-coaster. maybe that is what is also affecting my writing - the hormones. thanks for the advice. will definitely look into it when i have my energy completely restored.
• United States
8 Jun 09
Well no wonder you aren't getting any writing done. Hormones definitely play a big factor. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I am sure once things settle down you will be writing up a storm.
10 Jun 09
i certainly hope so, because i have this novel i want to publish next year. This year is almost as good as out with all the things i have to get done. Thanks.
@punkincat (214)
• United States
10 Jun 09
I've been there, starting is hard a blank page or computer screen is intiminding. Just like you warm up in exersizing you should do warm ups for writing. It works, just start typing something fun, a conversation between charters ( it dosn't have to be something you keep ) after you warm up ( just a min. or two should do ) you'll find it easer. Also if you set a time it will also help, the trick is to find a time that fits into your naturally. Some people like to get up early ( not me ) some like to write in the middle of the day or some even perfer to write at night. Finding the right time for you will also help. Not sure why but when you right at your peek time your more productive than if you force it at another time. Hope this helps.
10 Jun 09
the thing is, i can't schedule my writing. i have never been able to do it. i have always been one who writes out of my feelings. when i am bursting with ideas, i pick up my laptop. and when i am low, i just surf the internet hoping to stimulate myself. i have been to several writing course that encourage scheduling, but i feel if i schedule i will start dreading the time. like how i am with exercise or anything that i feel i have to do. i'd be mentally making excuses not to do it.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
10 Jun 09
You might be stressed up. Relax and rest. The words will come again. Didn't Shakespeare experience the same?
• United States
11 Jun 09
Relax... that happens from time to time or at least it happens to me. So about a year ago I was working on a short story. I had a theme, my vibe was right and I was bursting ready to go. Then all of a sudden i am ready to finish the last ten chapters... but just could not do it. I tried writing my thoughts by hand instead of using my laptop. I tried talking out loud hoping i would muster up somthing good on a recording that I could go back and use. But I was full of ideas. Then i mention it all to a friend. That friend whom I offten call my wise advisor, Told me that maybe it was not time for me to finish this journy of the project just yet. He also told me that I should visit a few similer location that i had used in the book. Once I got to one of the locations to just take down how the place made me feel. What were sounds that surrounded me. what did it smell like to be in that place. If I ate somthing what did I eat and what did it tast like. I then tried this little task. I took notes once I had visited a few of some like location that I had uused in my book and after a weekend of location visits I got back to my laptop. my vibe was build up even more and I was able to finish what I had started and I was please with the work I had done. Now only if I could get published.