Hitting that writer's block head on !
So I've been asked, many times, WHY don't YOU suffer from writer's block like I do? HOW can you possibly write so much so quickly? Doesn't there have to be some form to this?
ALL great questions, and as an editor, proofreader, and publisher, I've heard them many times before, as I said. There are two ways to answer that. One would be I'm an incredibly talented, gifted writer/author whose talents are being made readily available to the world. Nah, that's an egotistical and selfish person, whose sole concern is themselves, and when they can't write something about themselves, they simply can'ty write. I prefer the slightly more modest reference, that it's a gift,and talent given to me by God, that I am blessed to be able to use for HIS glory. THAT is the Pastoral side of me, as I tend to write a lot with the needs of my calling.
Now for the truth about it all. I enjoy writing, telling stories and bringing the imagination to life. It's NOT work that way. And in doing so, I don;t get stressed over a deadline, or what's going to happen. I let it flow from my mind to my hands and it seems to be a fountain of passions and mirth from a seemingly endless supply. I realize I have an enormous vocabulary, some would even call me verbose. I find that writing is the ultimate expression for people/ When we had no written words, people shared stories verbally, and they got bigger and bolder with each telling. Things like Beowulf, The Oddysey and the Iliad by Homer. Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Longfellow, Dickens and Wordsworth, are great classic writers because they were involved with their characters. I enjoy the way they draw you in, include you as a part of the story and then give you the thrills of a lifetime.
It doesn't matter the genre, or the type, writing is an art that's best served gold. When YOU write, make sure it's got YOUR heart in it, that its something you agree with and won't be ashamed to say you wrote it. NEVER look at it as work and it will flow for you like water down the river. Before you know it you'll have entire chapters and a finished novel in your hands ready to take to the publisher for their editing and preparing for publishing. Or, if you're educated and experienced enough, tackle the job yourself, then will you know the pure joy of creating something truly valuable to yourself and the world at large. I encourage you to seek out that inner poet, or that mystery/crime novelist, set them down to a blank screen or paper and let those ideas flow fortn from you. Once you're finished with that, look at what you've written, do some research for accuracy and grammer if needed. (ONE special note here: SPELLCHECK only works if it's NOT a word and is misspelled. IT WON'T catch those words you've gotten grammatically incorrect and in all liklihood won't make your book sell any better. NOW should you be writing fiction and forms of language and expressions indicitive of a particular location are used, then that would be acceptable for publishing, as long as yuour reader nudersands this is the reason why it's done.)
In the day and age we live in now, there are plenty of resources and apps for publishing and writing, so take advantage of them whenever possible. A program I use for grammar checking is called GRAMMARLY and makes use of some of the largest databases for words, their meanings and use in sentence structure as well. I highly recommend them for writing almost anything of importance to you (Grocery lists aside!)
That being said, I wish you all success in this thing we call writing, be it a blog, review or ebook.
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Thank you for this post, Robert. We will be looking into Grammarly. Writing should be a joy and it clearly is to you.
We really appreciate it.
The way i deal with writers block is way different though i write about 5 to 10 random posts in my niche at one time once i get stuck on one i start another then i have alot of small posts saved in drafts then i organize what can go together and what cant copy and past the posts together add a few more words to blend them in and boom my post becomes 500-1500 words and to me it makes it quite fun as i talk in random and do things randomly finding WA was random aswell i just randomly click links and read randomly and somehow found kyles post for WA clicked the link and well here i am. Haha
I can see by the replies that I have found a niche that's supportable herein. I love that people are actually reading it and replying not just liking it for more points on their rating scores.
YES, I am a PunMaster, I enjoy the art of words and wordplay and have found it most rewarding. IF anyone would like to see and read a copy of my silly little book, PM me and I will see about getting you a copy. I haven't yet published it so you'd be getting it PRE-RELEASE and that can be a fun thing as it allows you to have input about content and possibly be mentioned as a contributing author in the credits. Any takers?
With a Username like yours, I can see where the PUN-demonium has only just begun, hasn't it? Where to begin? Ohh yes at the Beginning! Only and OLD silly would be there for that right? hehehehee!
Being as your the OLD silly, where does the NEW silly come in? And can there truly be any NEW silly under the sun? And do you have papers to PROVE you are THE one and only OLD Silly?
Enjoyed your post, Robert, writing is definitely a process and one which we can over time become very good friends with.
I have to agree Grammarly is very helpful.
What an interesting, sincere and humourous post, with some great tips and good advice. I enjoyed reading that, thanks for sharing
Hi! How are ya Robert!
I have a great piece if advice for ya !
I got it here at WA and then again in one of the books I've read!
All you need is a pen and notebook.
Whatever your niche is, sit down and take 30 minutes to just brain dump! If the thought hits your head scribble it down.
It doesn't have to make sense.
If you have a question yourself write it down
I like to use post it notes.
I write each thing on a post it note and place it on this little dry erase board. After I get 25 or 30, I rearrange them with main topics at the top. And then line up the sub topics under the main ones.
There's the topic of your post and the sub topics are the headings
Best of success to ya !
Mike
Hey Mike, I don't think he has writer's block I think he is encouraging others to face writer's block head on and how to do it
Thank you. THAT was absolutely my goal. So many times I hear people say," I can't write, I don't have a clue what to say?" This is why I wrote the post. To encourage others to stop making it WORK and make it something that you find interesting or worthwhile to others. I've written sermons, ghostwritten books, co-authored a cookbook, written a silly book or two, chronicled the adventures of fictional characters, written several HOW to books, advertising script, role-playing script, movie/TV teleplays and the occasional poem or creatively rewrote words to popular songs to fit the needs of my audience, (called FILKING by the way) and much more.
My point was that I have seldom found myself at a loss for words to describe what it is I want to express. The reason behind that is the passion FOR writing that allows me to NOT see it as a job or to detest it as work I HAVE to perform to make it. Once that mindset was gone, writing it for myself or others is simple. I like to climb inside a character or others mindsets and see what comes forth.
Thank you for your reply. I wasn't stating I HAD a writer's block, quite the contrary, I was expressing the fact I have seldom even approached it and the reasons why. As a publisher, I find so many people who tell me that they can't write or find their muse, or inspiration to do it. I tell them all the same thing. WHY did you want to tell this story to begin with? FIND that reason and continue with it from the last time you recall it as being worth telling others.
Then just write that and let it speak for you as you feel, allowing those emotions and expressions to live in your words to them. Allow your readers to discover who you are with those words. Are you creative? Boldly going where no one has gone before? Trekking into the future? Or recanting a story of past glories in battles or struggles of a lifetime? THAT'S what I'm saying here. FIND the passion, then allow it to produce for you what you need to be done.
Thank you Robert well said. I am a lousy writer but as you have mentioned, your writing must come from the heart. OK, that's my interpretation of your post, I get it though Robert.
Thank you for posting the subject about writing.
Frank the lousy writer.
Frank-ly (PUN intended there) your NOT a lousy writer. YOUR reply was one of honesty and frank-ness (Did you realize that YOU were a verb?) that I appreciated!
One of my passions is also PUNS and I use them to get people to open up and express themselves with words. The mere fact that you replied with more than a "Nice post" comment proves my point. YOU took the time to honestly read it, consider it impacts upon you and responded. THAT, my friend, is the true test of a writer. Bringing forth emotions and passions in others.
Doesn't matter that you COULD have simply copied and pasted your way through the comments section like so many others, YOU took the time to actually reply. Like it or not, THAT makes you a writer. Maybe no Shakespeare, but definitely a writer.
Now that is communicating Robert. We have connected my friend.
Thank you for being merciful and polite. I hear you my friend.
Your words came loud and clear, for me and I thank you again!
Mahalo from Hawaii!
Frank
‘A‘ole pilikia, A hui hou. I used a translator for this, so I hope this is correct with what I am trying to convey.
Not to worry my brother, whatever you said seems to mean a good thing to me. I don't know a word of Hawaiian, but hey I like it.
Why? Because I like your spirit my brother. It is all positive!
Frank =)
first one is You’re welcome/No problem
2nd one is Until we meet again. I used Google translate as your spoke Mahalo. That's part of researching something when you write. I speak enough Klingon to be dangerous, and what I don't know, I know the people who do and Google will also translate it as close as possible too! And since I live in Missouri, a hearty HOWDY Y'ALL right back at ya! (common colloquialism hereabouts for a proper greeting from one man to another)
Hee hee, I thank you I know where you're coming from, all heart.
I appreciate that.
We both made "contact" and that is most important. I did not know you 3 posts before but now as I look at your profile I know we have bonded, regardless of our background.
Mahalo and Howdy to you to my Missouri Tigers friend!
frank
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Hi Robert,
I continue to marvel at the ease with which you write, I am making notes as I prepare for the big entry, ha ha.
Blessings, Arundel