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Mariah Wilson
New member
Username: mariahwilson43

Post Number: 7
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 2:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

It is with great pains that I regret to inform all of you that I have suffered a block of some sort for quite a while now. I just haven't been able to write a single decent poem, or even a decent fragment of a poem in what seems like an eternity. If any of you can offer any suggestions what so ever on how I can get my creative buzz back then please do so. I will GREATLY apprecaite any suggestions.
veronique deshotels
Advanced Member
Username: nude_shoes

Post Number: 1167
Registered: 04-2007
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 2:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

oh, heartsweet

delete this before
Derf pounces
Matthew Silverman
New member
Username: m_e_silverman

Post Number: 41
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 4:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

What is a derf?
ah, nevermind.
try the writing exercises found on these sites. but if you are blocked, then it is for a reason. stop trying to force it, to "be" a writer. just write in a jounral-- don't worry about if it is poetic or some other genre. then write soemthing you know, something that happened to you, by you, in front of you, because of you, for you, etc. gl.
Fred Longworth
Senior Member
Username: sandiegopoet

Post Number: 2579
Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 4:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Probably the most important things that can release a writer's block are: (1) read a lot of other poets' work; (2) avail yourself of emotionally charged experiences; (3) set aside a chunk of writing time every day, and write whether you feel "inspired" or not; (4) be willing to revise old poems rather than generate new ones.

There's a fifth thing. It's called "fear of getting the shit kicked out of you." And, to help you in this regard, I've dialed up Gino and Marcello, the infamous poetry goons. As I write this, they're on their way over to "have a little talk with you."

Derf

(Message edited by sandiegopoet on November 29, 2007)
Ron. Lavalette
Intermediate Member
Username: dellfarmer

Post Number: 389
Registered: 05-2007
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 4:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Cook something. Eat it with your eyes closed. Think about something else while you're chewing. Take a big drink of water. Hold it in your mouth & sit on the stove til it boils.

I don't know if any of this will help, but it'll take your mind off your imaginary writer's block, which doesn't exist, and you know it.

Now, get back to work.
--Ron.
Eggs Over Tokyo
~M~
Board Administrator
Username: mjm

Post Number: 27277
Registered: 11-1998
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 4:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Try taking a look at these, Mariah:

WPF Weekly Creativity Challenges

There are over 100 Challenges, or call them writing prompts, in there to get your creative juices flowing. You should be able to find at least one (if not dozens) that will appeal to you and inspire you!

Also, check out the current Challenge in BALANCING QI (deadline is this Sunday):

Current Challenge

Best,
M
judy thompson
Member
Username: judyt54

Post Number: 81
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 4:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

ron, I agree. Everyone and i do mean everyone runs out of steam when they write. When it happens to me i dont force myself to write bad poetry every day (which can be a horrifying and discouraging exercise), I move back from it a bit and do other things.
this is the important part, Mariah. Do other things. Everything you do while you're not writing becomes part of the poems that you will write, later on. It might be a month, or a year, or much longer, but the writing comes back, and when it does, you won't be able to get it on paper fast enough.

One thing that helps me immensely is being in a place like this, among good writers. If i can't write, I can still read, and I can still critique.

And now and then something slides out. Listen to Ron. He knows what he's talking about.

in a way it's like the cure for the cold. If you drink lots of fluid and get bed rest and take vitamins, it will be gone in a week and two days.
If you do nothing it will be gone in nine days. *g*
Emusing
Senior Member
Username: emusing

Post Number: 4987
Registered: 08-2003
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 5:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

When I Met My Muse

When I met my muse I glanced at her and took my glasses
off—they were still singing. They buzzed
like a locust on the coffee table and then
ceased. Her voice belled forth, and the
sunlight bent. I felt the ceiling arch, and
knew that nails up there took a new grip
on whatever they touched. "I am your own
way of looking at things," she said. "When
you allow me to live with you, every
glance at the world around you will be
a sort of salvation." And I took her hand.

—William Stafford



___________

Check out his essays on writing. He is wonderful. Can get your juices flowing in addition to the good advices given here.

e
www.wordwalkerpress.com
Bren
Moderator
Username: bren

Post Number: 1229
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 5:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I'm with you Mariah...They call the wind Mariah Great advice above that I'll be checking out for myself. The only thing that keeps me going these days (and I don't always do well but try) are M's challenges. Oh and bipolar thoughts on becoming a Granny!
Bren
LJ Cohen
Moderator
Username: ljc

Post Number: 8489
Registered: 07-2002
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 7:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Writing is a discipline like any other and practice is crucial. Writing daily is the writer's equivalent of playing scales. A musician practices scales every day. It's not glorious music, but it is the basis for all the music he or she will ever play.

One of the things that's crucial for a writer is to let go of the fear of writing something bad. I write bad stuff all the time. It doesn't matter. Something on the page is something you can edit. Nothing is still a blank page and there's nothing worse than a blank page.

Others have already made suggestions to follow writing prompts and challenges, and Judy alluded to this in her response: Try to write something else. I move back and forth between poetry and prose. When I'm blocked on a story, I write poetry. When poetry isn't flowing, I work on the narrative, or offer critique, revise an old piece, or read the work of other poets.

There are all sorts of tricks, but you will have to find the techniques that work best for you.

best,
ljc
Once in a Blue Muse Blog
LJCohen
judy thompson
Member
Username: judyt54

Post Number: 85
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 8:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

actually I said 'try to DO something else.'. A major difference. when my writing stops, I pull away from it. For me, at least, forcing myself to sit at a table for an hour every day and write nothing but garbage is torture. i could be sewing, or gardening, or walking. I could be dancing. when the words don't come, the only thing worse is seeing junk on the page. and for me, at least, that's even more discouraging.

My energy turns elsewhere--I make quilts, which can be very creative. I make bread. Work in the garden. Go out with a camera.

Let the writing come back when it's time, and don't obsess about it.
Ann Metlay
Advanced Member
Username: wordsrworthy

Post Number: 1500
Registered: 08-2007
Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 3:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Mariah,
I went through a four year block before I joined Wild. I just could not produce a single poetic image. I recycled old poems here for awhile. I learned about cinquains, a short form that can lead to something beautiful in only five lines. I did all the exercises in Balancing Qi where you don't have to be really poetic and you have a lot of fun. I did every challenge, whether I liked what I produced or not. And now I am able to produce a poem a day. Some still are a bit wanting, or perhaps fragments of larger poems, still to come. Use Wild. Read and comment on others' poems. As you read and comment, study what they did and maybe even try to do something similar. It really brought back my muse over three months and 1500 postings.
Ann
S. Thomas Summers
Intermediate Member
Username: s_thomas_summers

Post Number: 712
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 6:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

just write......break through. read. we all go through it.
visit me at http://www.freewebs.com/sthomassummers/

author of "Death settled well" and "Rather, It Should Shine"
Douglas Hill
Valued Member
Username: riverwriter

Post Number: 136
Registered: 04-2007
Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 12:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

When I am blocked, it takes the form of not being able to get into that room in my head where the writing is. I broke through a serious block that lasted for several years by starting my blog, in which I publicly announced I would post at least one new poem every day. And except for July and August of this year, I have done so. Today's poem will be #616.

I have always found that once I can pick the lock on that door, I can write. Whether it is a theatre review, a playscript, an essay, an article, a letter, a libretto, or a poem, I just have to tell someone (an editor, or a collaborator such as a dramaturg) that I am going to do it for such a date, and I do it. I think that writing for no particular audience can force a block to happen.

My daily poetry blog is wordcurrents


Kathleen
Valued Member
Username: cass_vibbert

Post Number: 135
Registered: 04-2005
Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 7:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

me too. I've been trying to read. Been a crazy year
and I've let other things steal my joy. I understand
writer's block. I've learned not to worry about it.
But I do understand what you are saying.
Anna Brown
New member
Username: tissuetoyou

Post Number: 38
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 9:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I like to write books. That's where I'm at my best. I can write a novel in a month. Sometimes less. But the point is, after writing something that long in such a short amount of time, I'm pretty much creatively dead. I do a lot of math.
I just do something else until it comes back. And when it comes back, it's a big BAM! and you won't be sorry that you didn't write for a while.
Mariah Wilson
New member
Username: mariahwilson43

Post Number: 11
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Saturday, December 01, 2007 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions and heartfelt empathy. I shall muscle through my imaginary block and be reborn once again.