Cintia
asked
Robin Maxwell:
Hi, my name is Cintia and I'm from Argentina. Being a writer is what I want the most in this world, nothing makes me happier than writing, but I'm more and more frustrated with each passing day, because I've been blocked for 3 years. And it is not that I have an unfinished story. I have NOTHING AT ALL. A blank page in front of me, that only makes me sadder... Is there a way to overcome this? How do you handle it?
Robin Maxwell
Hi Cintia.
From what you're saying it sounds like you're totally blocked because you're paralyzed by fear. Fear of what you write being "not good enough." Believe me, every writer who has ever written has gone through that to some extent in their career.
What I would suggest is starting with journal writing, something that no one else in the world will ever see. There are several good books on that subject. Even if you write a paragraph a day - what you did that day, an emotion you felt, a wonderful meal you enjoyed, the review of a movie you watched, a dream you had. You have to get your writing muscles un-paralyzed.
Next, start an "idea file." When an interesting thought, phrase or title comes into your head, WRITE IT DOWN. Then place it in a file. You don't have to do anything else with it at the moment. Don't let the idea slip away from you. Just start collecting little slips of paper and keep the file near your bed. Ideas can come to you in the middle of the night or just as you're waking up. This is a very important file, because YOUR IDEAS ARE IMPORTANT. WHAT YOU THINK AND FEEL IS IMPORTANT. Though I didn't know it at the time, starting my own idea file was the moment I became a writer. If YOU don't believe that what you are writing is important, no one else will ever want to read it. It's a great leap of faith in yourself, but if you can't make it, then you may not be destined to be a writer.
Once you've started collecting your ideas in a file and writing a little each day, pick a subject that you're wildly interested in - maybe one from your idea file - and write a paragraph about it. Hopefully you will be inspired to write a little more and a little more after that. Perhaps that idea will only inspire a few paragraphs or a page. Put it away. When the spirit moves you choose another idea and write a little about that. Don't show anyone anything. This is still very personal.
One day an idea will take hold of you and hopefully by then your "writing muscles" will be in good enough shape that you'll allow yourself to do something longer. I am a great believer in story outlines. I've done that with every novel and screenplay I've ever written.
Also, for inspiration read Stephen King's non-fiction book called ON WRITING.
Hope this helps.
All best,
Robin
From what you're saying it sounds like you're totally blocked because you're paralyzed by fear. Fear of what you write being "not good enough." Believe me, every writer who has ever written has gone through that to some extent in their career.
What I would suggest is starting with journal writing, something that no one else in the world will ever see. There are several good books on that subject. Even if you write a paragraph a day - what you did that day, an emotion you felt, a wonderful meal you enjoyed, the review of a movie you watched, a dream you had. You have to get your writing muscles un-paralyzed.
Next, start an "idea file." When an interesting thought, phrase or title comes into your head, WRITE IT DOWN. Then place it in a file. You don't have to do anything else with it at the moment. Don't let the idea slip away from you. Just start collecting little slips of paper and keep the file near your bed. Ideas can come to you in the middle of the night or just as you're waking up. This is a very important file, because YOUR IDEAS ARE IMPORTANT. WHAT YOU THINK AND FEEL IS IMPORTANT. Though I didn't know it at the time, starting my own idea file was the moment I became a writer. If YOU don't believe that what you are writing is important, no one else will ever want to read it. It's a great leap of faith in yourself, but if you can't make it, then you may not be destined to be a writer.
Once you've started collecting your ideas in a file and writing a little each day, pick a subject that you're wildly interested in - maybe one from your idea file - and write a paragraph about it. Hopefully you will be inspired to write a little more and a little more after that. Perhaps that idea will only inspire a few paragraphs or a page. Put it away. When the spirit moves you choose another idea and write a little about that. Don't show anyone anything. This is still very personal.
One day an idea will take hold of you and hopefully by then your "writing muscles" will be in good enough shape that you'll allow yourself to do something longer. I am a great believer in story outlines. I've done that with every novel and screenplay I've ever written.
Also, for inspiration read Stephen King's non-fiction book called ON WRITING.
Hope this helps.
All best,
Robin
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Sep 17, 2015 08:25AM · flag