Writing Blocks
“I love writing but hate starting. The page is awfully white and it says, “You may have fooled some of the people some of the time but those days are over, giftless. I’m not your agent and I’m not your mommy. I’m a white piece of paper, you wanna dance with me?” And I really, really don’t.”
Aaron Sorkin
A writer’s block is defined as an inability to write or produce new work. Writer’s block is a well-known problem that has been witnessed over the centuries, with varying levels of intensity and time durations. At some point, writers will experience the “joy” of staring at a blank piece of paper. The good news is that others have experienced this phenomenon. Ernest Hemingway said, “I rewrote the ending of ‘Farewell to Arms’ 39 times before I was satisfied.” David McCullough said, “There’s an awful temptation to just keep on researching. There comes a point where you just have to stop, and start writing.”
Writing blocks, while they may be painful, challenge us to advance and progress. The career of a professional writer is not for the fainthearted. It is demanding, capricious, disappointing and all-consuming. The story, the idea, the discussion so clearly understood within our minds, must find a way to the outside world. Sometimes words fail to adequately convey all that we would like to share.
Barbara Kingsolver’s solution is to “close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” James Thurber didn’t mince words, “Don’t get it right, just get it written.”
“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.”
William Faulkner
Our blogs give us lots of opportunity to take chances
January 19, 2013 at 12:00 am
I agree! And I found that the blogging community is very gracious.
January 19, 2013 at 12:04 am
Writers’ blocks are building blocks?
January 19, 2013 at 12:01 am
I was hoping that it would coming out that way…you are brilliant, of course!!!
January 19, 2013 at 12:03 am
January 19, 2013 at 9:35 am
Thank you, my dear friend!!
January 19, 2013 at 9:57 am
I stumbled on my block today, and had to keep reshaping it, till I was happy. Some days the ideas just roll out and go “tah dah!” Others, they hide and I need to hunt them down.
January 19, 2013 at 12:34 am
Ah…that is a wonderful way of overcoming – you defined the block! Well said! Thank you so much for joining the dialogue…
January 19, 2013 at 4:57 pm
It’s difficult for a painter´, too. We always look on a white sheet of paper!
I like it to hear in which way others solve the problem of the big white one!
January 19, 2013 at 1:54 am
My dear friend, of all the creative endeavours, artists are the most mystifying to me. How you are able to take an idea and bring forth a visual representation on a “white sheet of paper” is as close to a miracle as I can imagine. As Aristotle once said, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” I cry every time I go to an art gallery!
January 19, 2013 at 4:56 pm
That is a great quote, clanmother. I like it. I wish you a great sunday, greatings Susanne
January 19, 2013 at 11:58 pm
We have sunshine in Vancouver!!! Thank you for sending your good wishes!!!
January 20, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Beautiful quotes!!!
January 19, 2013 at 3:13 am
Your visits and comments are always a welcomed gift.
January 19, 2013 at 4:35 pm
You probably wouldn’t think so……..but I actually go over my little contributions and rewrite. lol
Not so anyone would really notice, but I have become a bit more aware or critical of what I post.
I realize it doesn’t have to be just right the first time or even the second time.
January 19, 2013 at 5:06 am
Actually, I know that you go over your posts and put much thought into the words/music. You are telling a story behind it all!!! Since joining the blogging community, I have been overwhelmed by the collective genius and the willingness to share ideas and knowledge.
January 19, 2013 at 4:34 pm
inspiring, thank you. I agree very much Barbara Kingsolver’s idea, very true.
January 19, 2013 at 5:31 am
Did you ever read “The Poisonwood Bible?” A remarkable narrative!!!
January 19, 2013 at 4:30 pm
oh no, haven’t heard of this book, I will check this out ….. thank you.
January 20, 2013 at 4:03 am
January 20, 2013 at 5:00 pm
It would seem that “getting down” to real writing is not for the faint of heart.
January 19, 2013 at 6:20 am
How well said…whatever the artistic endeavor, courage is a prerequisite.
January 19, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Beginning is more than half the battle.
January 19, 2013 at 6:52 am
Very true. And waiting to start doesn’t make it any easier. Sometimes it only takes one word, one memory, one photo….to move things along.
January 19, 2013 at 4:27 pm
“Apply the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair”, can’t remember who said it but it sort of sums it up doesn’t it?
I find writing inspirational poetry comes easily, perhaps because I don’t try to do it until I’ve got something that’s irking me so much that unless I write it out it doesn’t leave me alone. On the other hand I gave up trying to write anything else because it didn’t come easily. Probably a lesson there!!
January 19, 2013 at 6:53 am
I have often wondered how a poet forms thoughts before writing the words. It is a special gift and one that mystifies and inspires at the same time. I so enjoy reading your poetry! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
January 19, 2013 at 4:18 pm
I’ve had some writing blocks in the past, but blogging really helps with that. Writing something else takes your mind off your blockage and gets the juices flowing again. Does for me at least
January 19, 2013 at 7:25 am
I agree – blogging gives purpose to the moment which gives me a sense of freedom. It is first a conversation with myself and then a discussion with the community. I must confess that I do not consider myself a writer, but I love to hear the voices and the dialogue that swirls around me. I am delighted that you stopped by!!!
January 19, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Thanks. I’ve found blogging to be a great source of motivation and inspiration. Long may it continue
January 20, 2013 at 4:00 am
I am with you on that! So glad that we connected!!!
January 20, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Hmmm. So what I understand is, break the big block. Understand them individually, Make a note of each one of them – shape, texture. Then, bring them together. That might look like a 200 page book, it seems.
January 19, 2013 at 9:29 am
A fresh and insightful approach. I was amazed by the amount of research and discussion that centered on writer’s block. It seems to occur when the ideas become locked inside our minds. The 200 page book is a very real possibility.
January 19, 2013 at 4:12 pm