Writer’s block, another theory
I read something on the AskAnAuthorAll loop (for RWA members) today that struck a chord with me. I’ve been suffering from the horriblest (not a word, I do know that) case of writer’s block I’ve ever found myself facing. It might not be a true case of writer’s block per se, because I believe it stems from stress related to building my new home and all its related problems and issues, but it has been a genuine problem for me for the last 6 months.
However, there’s another theory, and a post I read on the AskAnAuthorAll loop brought it to mind (actually, you could even say it spelled it out for me). This theory is that of the lazy writer.
How many times have I suffered from what I called writer’s block and yet knew what the problem was and how to fix that problem, but just didn’t want to do it? Or was too tired to do it? Or just didn’t feel like doing it? Or really needed to do other things?
I will admit, lately, with the house reaching a critical point in its development (the last roof is going on Monday and the plumbing rough-in is DONE and the electrician is anxious to get started), I have spent a lot of time on the phone, treking to and from the house, out shopping, etc, but there have also been a lot of days and nights when I’ve spent at least several hours watching television.
Not sure why I’ve chosen to unwind in front of the television instead in front of my keyboard, when my writing used to be my number one coping mechanism for life!
This is certainly going to require some thinking on my part. (I do love to analyze my behavior patterns, and no, I really don’t know why.) :-)
If you have any thoughts on this, do share.
Simon Haynes said,
July 13, 2006 @ 10:29 am
I suffer from the same affliction (other things seem more important than writing, I’ve got plenty of time so why write now, etc.)
The only cure is to set yourself a modest deadline and a modest daily target. In my case, I print a daily sheet showing the scenes I have to work on. For example, I might have a target of writing two new scenes a day, so the book will be finished in 3 months. Or I might have to do light edits on 6 scenes per day so the current draft will be finished in 8 days.
That’s the only way I can get myself moving – to show myself that the book is more important than other things around me. It doesn’t always work, but I’ve yet to miss a deadline.
Cheers
Simon