TECH: Writer's Block Book

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original post: Tue, 7 Sep 1993 10:38:13 JST

On Writer's Block: A New Approach to Creativity
Victoria Nelson
Houghton Mifflin Company 1993

I think I got this through Book of the Month Club.

Even if you aren't blocked, I'd recommend getting a copy of this. Take a quick scan and put it on your bookshelf. Then when you are blocked, take it down again and let Victoria guide you to understand what kind of block you are experiencing and how to get back in synch with yourself. Seriously, this is like an encyclopedia of blocks that a writer may encounter, with good thoughts about what they mean and how to handle them.

(Hint for our Quote of the Day person - I thought many paragraphs would make nice, if slightly lengthy, quotes. e.g.)

"It is human nature to resist change. Only when an impassable roadblock suddenly rears up on our accustomed route (or rut) do we ever consider trying another path. That is why writer's block, guiding the writer always away from stagnation toward change and new possibilities, is such a useful, benign, and ultimately blessed instrument of all creative endeavor." p. 117 (a section on blocks due to Forcing Talent into the Wrong Mold)

For your Writer's First Aid kit... use when the muse quits!

TECH: writers block

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Fri, 14 Jan 1994 10:51:36 JST

Toad hopped up on the trunk and grunted

I've been told that when I am in the midst of writers block, I should keep
writing, even if it's junk. That's okay, but are there any other
suggestions out there?

1. Take a long, hard look in your magic mirror (whatever method you prefer for plumbing yourself - meditation, brainstorming, reading tea leaves, whatever). Identify, diagnose, look at what's going on with you - I get lost when people tell me they itch, but don't want to clarify it any further. I can pretty well guarantee that reputable doctors (mechanics, psychxxx people, etc.) won't let you just name a symptom and prescribe a potion, lotion, or other quick fix - they want details, they want to look, they want to make sure which problem it is. You deserve to give yourself the same level of care (at least!).

What I'm saying is that "writers block" covers a multitude of hold-ups. You may be bogged down in too many ideas, too many partially started stories, etc. or you might be waiting for the ideal, perfect idea. You might be pushing too hard - or need a good kick in the rear.

You might be being notified of alarms and problems in some other part of your life (by that mystic unconscious, the other side of the brain [which is which? I never remember.], one of the superego, ego, id or parent, adult, child messes, or some other splinter of selfhood) - or you might be being pulled back to work on something you thought was "finished" but one of the parts of yourself doesn't want to let go.

You might be terrified of putting the stuff out in public (this often results in never-ending revision) for lots of reasons. You may be being too harsh on yourself, never even letting yourself realize that some of "that junk" is good!

Anyway, sit down and listen to yourself. Find out what "writers block" means to you, right now. Then think about how to deal with that particular problem. It may or may not mean "writing through" the "block".

(I have this picture of someone going to a doctor and saying "I can't walk right now." The doctor, without further examination, says "Keep walking." Needless to say, the kid with the broken leg or damaged tendons doesn't do herself any good following this advice. The other kid, who felt muscles stretch and pull and got nervous about finally exercising, says the advice was perfect. The kid who just got a new motorcycle spins merrily off into the sunset, ignoring the advice. Who's right?)

2. Something I find particularly annoying is my own personal feeling that if I'm not writing stories in a disciplined, rational way, then I'm "blocked." Oh, sure, I may be doing a lot of other stuff, but since the writing process isn't going the way my rational ego (?) says it should, then I'm not doing it "right." (Lurking perfectionism strikes again!) If that's the problem, part of the solution seems to be "letting go," - writing what pushes you, excites you, no matter whether it seems to match anyone else's style, markets, or whatever.

Then select out of the flood - learn to surf your own waves (?) - and watch out for the beach!

(funny - little kids like to play with blocks, and they know some of them are different! but we get older, all the blocks look the same, and we decide that stumbling on them is a problem. maybe it's time to sit down and check out the colors, build a dream palace for invisible friends to visit, or even try juggling...)

hey, mommie (or other artistic souls) - what do artists (painters, etc.) say or do when a particular theme, style, technique "stops working"? I don't think I've ever heard of "artistic block." They seem to talk more about trying out a new style, returning to basics, or stuff like that, don't they?