Writer's Block Doesn't Exist

[Dee]

are you having trouble of putting your thoughts into words and then on paper, or are you having an issue of just thinking of what to write?

All of it, ideas, filling in the blanks, actually writing, fear, anxiety.  I haven't written anything for over a year, so I'm not really looking for advice on how to solve it.  But I've tried everything in the book.

Booze?

http://listverse.com/2008/01/22/top-15-great-alcoholic-writers/

I don't drink a drop, but sometimes I wonder why I don't so that I can deal with my problems.  Who knows, maybe I should start?

Probably not a good idea. Drinking doesn't solve your problems, it just hides them from you for a while. Then you wake up the next day with all your problems intact, and a sore head for your troubles.

That's why I don't drink. It's just interesting to consider the choice.

 

[fantanoice]

I think writer's block is a combination of fatigue and being at the loss of an idea (and sometimes even a result of anxiety / depression). I believe it exists, but isn't exactly the same as people describe it.

If I'm feeling it, sometimes I'll just open up Wikipedia and research whatever pops up. Also having a nice sleep and getting up fresh and early can put me in a mood good enough for writing / other work.

 

[Dee]

I think writer's block is a combination of fatigue and being at the loss of an idea (and sometimes even a result of anxiety / depression). I believe it exists, but isn't exactly the same as people describe it.

If I'm feeling it, sometimes I'll just open up Wikipedia and research whatever pops up. Also having a nice sleep and getting up fresh and early can put me in a mood good enough for writing / other work.

My block has progressed to the point where I had to make the decision to no longer write anymore.  This was after a year or so of trying to do a bunch of different things that people normally do for writer's block.  But I do know that mine comes from a place of anxiety, depression, and a complete and utter loss of ideas.  I don't know which came first, but I do know all of those things exist and are affecting my ability to do much of anything creative--not just writing, but I have trouble painting, drawing, anything.

 

[fantanoice]

I think writer's block is a combination of fatigue and being at the loss of an idea (and sometimes even a result of anxiety / depression). I believe it exists, but isn't exactly the same as people describe it.

If I'm feeling it, sometimes I'll just open up Wikipedia and research whatever pops up. Also having a nice sleep and getting up fresh and early can put me in a mood good enough for writing / other work.

Unfortunately, my block has progressed to the point where I had to make the decision to no longer write anymore. This was after a year or so of trying to do a bunch of different things that people normally do for writer's block. But I do know that mine comes from a place of anxiety, depression, and a complete and utter loss of ideas. I don't know which came first, but I do know all of those things exist and are affecting my ability to do much of anything creative--not just writing, but I have trouble painting, drawing, anything.

Are you currently seeing a doctor for your anxiety / depression? If not, I'd suggest you look into it because it sounds to me like writing is something you enjoy but your illness is really holding you back.

 

[Dee]

I think writer's block is a combination of fatigue and being at the loss of an idea (and sometimes even a result of anxiety / depression). I believe it exists, but isn't exactly the same as people describe it.

If I'm feeling it, sometimes I'll just open up Wikipedia and research whatever pops up. Also having a nice sleep and getting up fresh and early can put me in a mood good enough for writing / other work.

Unfortunately, my block has progressed to the point where I had to make the decision to no longer write anymore.  This was after a year or so of trying to do a bunch of different things that people normally do for writer's block.  But I do know that mine comes from a place of anxiety, depression, and a complete and utter loss of ideas.  I don't know which came first, but I do know all of those things exist and are affecting my ability to do much of anything creative--not just writing, but I have trouble painting, drawing, anything.

Are you currently seeing a doctor for your anxiety / depression? If not, I'd suggest you look into it because it sounds to me like writing is something you enjoy but your illness is really holding you back.

I have an appointment on Monday to see a therapist. I'm hoping it's a step in the right direction because I've got a lot of shit weighing on me right now that's making it difficult to do much other than get out of bed and go to work.

 

[fantanoice]

Best of luck then! I totally understand though, my anxiety always used to get to me while I was at Uni and really got in the way of my coursework and stuff.

 

[Dee]

Best of luck then! I totally understand though, my anxiety always used to get to me while I was at Uni and really got in the way of my coursework and stuff.

I went to therapy for it before and got a handle on it, but it's manifested into something different and it's totally killed off my creativity and motivation.

 

[+paradox]

Best of luck then! I totally understand though, my anxiety always used to get to me while I was at Uni and really got in the way of my coursework and stuff.

I went to therapy for it before and got a handle on it, but it's manifested into something different and it's totally killed off my creativity and motivation.

just don't give up on yourself and you'll shake it off...

 

[Dee]

Best of luck then! I totally understand though, my anxiety always used to get to me while I was at Uni and really got in the way of my coursework and stuff.

I went to therapy for it before and got a handle on it, but it's manifested into something different and it's totally killed off my creativity and motivation.

just don't give up on yourself and you'll shake it off...

An odd thing happened today where I decided to check on some old writing of mine. I read a little bit of it and saw there were some errors, so I decided to fix it and change some of the sentences so it would flow better. Usually that would freak me out, and it did after a while, but it felt so good to just fix it. I hadn't touched the piece since last April, but it was week before that when I actually wrote the ending. I'm not going to get ahead of myself and say the old spark is back, but I know u feel the intense need to write is still there.

 

[+paradox]

Best of luck then! I totally understand though, my anxiety always used to get to me while I was at Uni and really got in the way of my coursework and stuff.

I went to therapy for it before and got a handle on it, but it's manifested into something different and it's totally killed off my creativity and motivation.

just don't give up on yourself and you'll shake it off...

An odd thing happened today where I decided to check on some old writing of mine.  I read a little bit of it and saw there were some errors, so I decided to fix it and change some of the sentences so it would flow better.  Usually that would freak me out, and it did after a while, but it felt so good to just fix it.  I hadn't touched the piece since last April, but it was week before that when I actually wrote the ending.  I'm not going to get ahead of myself and say the old spark is back, but I know u feel the intense need to write is still there.

there you go!

 

[fantanoice]

Congrats :>

 

[Dee]

Now, if only I can make progress toward actually writing something new. Today I met with my therapist for the first time and I mentioned how I used to be really creative. She said it could possibly be an outlet for me, so I hope we can utilize that as a treatment.

 

[+paradox]

Now, if only I can make progress toward actually writing something new.  Today I met with my therapist for the first time and I mentioned how I used to be really creative.  She said it could possibly be an outlet for me, so I hope we can utilize that as a treatment.

lets see where it goes...

springing up new ideas for writing is not an easy task for some people but just because you can't one day doesn't mean you can't the next...

 

[DrLeftover]

Booze?

http://listverse.com/2008/01/22/top-15-great-alcoholic-writers/

I don't drink a drop, but sometimes I wonder why I don't so that I can deal with my problems.  Who knows, maybe I should start?

Probably not a good idea. Drinking doesn't solve your problems, it just hides them from you for a while. Then you wake up the next day with all your problems intact, and a sore head for your troubles.

Not everybody drinks to excess, and even if you do, there are ways to avoid a hangover even while still drinking. For example, I haven't had one in over twenty years.

Plus: it has been repeatedly demonstrated that a LITTLE elixir helps the creative juices flow.

But to those that lack self control. Perhaps it is better that you do abstain. But, just please also abstain from further disseminating old wive's tales. Thank you.


"Booze doesn't solve most problems. But it does make the questions more tolerable."
- Doc L

 

[Dee]

Booze?

http://listverse.com/2008/01/22/top-15-great-alcoholic-writers/

I don't drink a drop, but sometimes I wonder why I don't so that I can deal with my problems.  Who knows, maybe I should start?

Probably not a good idea. Drinking doesn't solve your problems, it just hides them from you for a while. Then you wake up the next day with all your problems intact, and a sore head for your troubles.

Not everybody drinks to excess, and even if you do, there are ways to avoid a hangover even while still drinking. For example, I haven't had one in over twenty years.

Plus: it has been repeatedly demonstrated that a LITTLE elixir helps the creative juices flow.

But to those that lack self control. Perhaps it is better that you do abstain. But, just please also abstain from further disseminating old wive's tales. Thank you.


"Booze doesn't solve most problems. But it does make the questions more tolerable."
- Doc L

I couldn't do it anyway. It was never something I found helpful, fun, or logical anyway. But since apparently everyone does it, sometimes it makes me curious. I doubt it would help with this, though.

 

[DrLeftover]

Then try coffee.

 

[Dee]

Then try coffee.

I can't handle the taste. xD It's so absolutely disgusting, like alcohol.

 

[DrLeftover]

Do you read?

Maybe adding some fuel to the fire will help.

 

[+paradox]

Then try coffee.

I can't handle the taste. xD  It's so absolutely disgusting, like alcohol.

yeah, coffee is nasty...

hot chocolate is way better...

i read comics to try to get my imagination and creativity going...

 

[DrLeftover]

There is always Hunter Thompson's final cure: