What Do You Do To Overcome Writer's Block

[BrooklynBoy]

I write both poetry and short stories, however, for the past couple of months I have been
afflicted with writers block which I cannot get past. For any of you INTJs that write either prose or poetry how do you get past writer's block? If any of you have been successful I would really appreciate your input.

---------- Post added 02-07-2010 at 03:14 PM ----------

"If any of you have been successful I would really appreciate your input." - What I meant by this statement was if any of you have been successful at overcoming
writer's block. Just thought a little clarification was needed.

[Rohsiph]

Writer's block is a myth. True enough, I'll experience moods where I have to write, and moods where I'd rather do just about anything else. But if writing needs to be done you just do it.

Some writers seem to try to mystify the process. If you write lacking a productive mood it might come out really shoddy. But then you can revise--especially INTJs ;)

[Samoan Corleone]

My English teacher would tell us to just write anything, even if it was nonsense. Eventually, we'd come up with something that would be the basis of our stories.

[ArtistTyrant]

change up your routine so that you have new information to go through, which can be the inspiration for your own new ideas

[Synamon]

I write both poetry and short stories, however, for the past couple of months I have been
afflicted with writers block which I cannot get past. For any of you INTJs that write either prose or poetry how do you get past writer's block? If any of you have been successful I would really appreciate your input.

Have you tried getting out of your head and immersing yourself in the setting of one of your projects? Engage your senses so you can taste that sip of coffee or feel the sting of the rain on your face. Take a camera along and create images that you can describe.

[Synapse]

What I do is write whatever I feel like. I guess if you feel like you have to accomplish some higher purpose, make it a goal to write a certain amount of pages (like two or three) and just think to fill the pages completely with whatever random dreck you feel like.

I also like Synamon's idea: sensory immersion. If you aren't that kind of person to "stop and smell the roses", then start trying to do that for even half an hour and see what ideas you come up with. I personally people-watch and that gets me thinking; the human being is an intriguing creature and how flawed and yet how productive and omnipotent we are is quite interesting...

[BrooklynBoy]

Thanks, to all of you, for your suggestions. They were all very helpful.

[Geminii]

The "100 fics" memes which float around every now and then sometimes give good jumping-off points for getting new angles on things.

[crux]

I know that this might sound a little cliché but meditating with my eyes closed for a while, whilst letting the garbage thoughts running through my mind disappear after just observing them appear and disappear, helps me get in a still place.

From there of course, the first few creative thoughts that come to mind subsequently lead me to ideas and/or themes to use for writing.

[Mader]

I try to do something completely different, something that gets my energy going, something fun, something I can be really involved with.

Often I find the problem is that the place I write from, it is as if the door is closed, getting the blood flowing and getting a different part of my brain working seems to loosen things up.

[rhiesa]

I have a few techniques to get that spark of inspiration.

If you're trying to write narrative, go to a public venue and listen to the people around you speak. Pick one conversation and write down what they are saying. Afterwards try to continue that conversation, build upon the details of the scene. It's more of an exercise but it does get me out of my comfort zone and is a ready source of new material.

Intense physical activity quite frequently brings me new ideas to write about.

You can also merge the advice of synamon and crux. Go to an area, use some deep breathing to place yourself in a meditative trance and allow yourself to become immersed in the sounds and smells of the environment. Without opening your eyes let yourself imagine a dreamscape around you moulded in the style of what you wish to write.

One thing I like to keep in mind whenever I realize I haven't written in several days is that inconsistency in the short term does not change long term consistency. As long as you identify yourself as a writer or a hobbyist with a passion for writing you will always be willing to pick up the pen.

[rwm4768]

I've often found that going for a walk can help me overcome writer's block, but nothing seems to be working lately. However, I think that might be I'm just in one of my non-writing moods, which tend to happen when you try to write novels. I've often noticed that I'll write a hundred pages in a week and then take five weeks to write the next ten.

My main suggestion, though, is to do whatever gets your creative juices flowing. Read some fiction. Watch some TV. I've found that sometimes I'll get ideas in the middle of classes when some political or psychological concept suddenly triggers a creative frenzy in my mind.

Hopefully, something I said was helpful.

[Merak]

Ask yourself why you want to write poetry and short stories to begin with. I find that I often forget the reason I want to write, and after I focus on what my original intent was, it sparks motivation.

Perhaps you could try writing down your reason or motivation for writing, and then put that somewhere that you can reference for future use. I tend to journal a lot, and I find that setting aside specific journal entries to reference back on, is very motivating.

[Jymox]

I've often found that going for a walk can help me overcome writer's block, but nothing seems to be working lately. However, I think that might be I'm just in one of my non-writing moods, which tend to happen when you try to write novels. I've often noticed that I'll write a hundred pages in a week and then take five weeks to write the next ten.

My main suggestion, though, is to do whatever gets your creative juices flowing. Read some fiction. Watch some TV. I've found that sometimes I'll get ideas in the middle of classes when some political or psychological concept suddenly triggers a creative frenzy in my mind.

Hopefully, something I said was helpful.

I agree. I like to watch an inspiring movie or read of a couple of pages from an author you admire. Also I find just sitting back and examining your goals in life can rejuvenate your creative spirit.