PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
writer’s block
noun
- a usually temporary condition in which a writer finds it impossible to proceed with writing a story, novel, play, etc.
I’ve experienced the miserable frozen stare at a blank screen, the write and re-write of the same sentence a dozen times. Therefore, I’ve researched and found myriad ways one might overcome it:
Hemingway says, “Stop when the going is good.”
Morrill says, “Talk to your characters.” 🙂
Wisoff-Fields says, “Ask your husband to compose a soundtrack for your story.”
It’s been almost two years since I’ve written one word on my sequel. Perhaps I’ll try all three.
THE END
100 Words
I hope you’ll forgive putting myself on a list with great writers such as Hemingway and Wisoff-Fields. But one can dream, right? 🙂
Friday Fictioneers is a compilation of writers from around the world who gather online weekly, guided by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge? To write a story in 100 words or less based on a new photo prompt.
To read more stories in an online flash fiction anthology by Friday Fictioneer authors, click:
Jan Morrill Writes 
Best of luck, Jan
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Thanks, Neil. I’m not too worried. I write when I want to write, which perhaps, in some terms, makes me no longer officially a “writer.” 🙂
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Dear Jan,
I can’t speak for Hemmingway, but I’m honored to be in such grand company (that includes Morrill 😉 ) I understand Writers Block. I’m still waiting with great anticipation, The Red Kimono’s sequel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for your understanding, Rochelle. It really isn’t so much writer’s block, as it is a lack of motivation. Right now, there are other priorities in my life. 🙂
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I hope inspiration comes!
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Thanks, Iain. Right now, I enjoy writing at least 100 words a week, and with three little grandkids in my life, that feels like enough for now. 🙂
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Karen and I were just speaking of this yesterday. Usually it comes down to fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of sucking, sometimes even fear of the block itself. There are numerous ways to overcome this, but I have nothing is as effective as turning off the computer and grabbing a notebook and pen. That action utilizes a different part of the brain and essentially shuts down the editor. The most important thing to me is the awareness that I am going SOMEWHERE. Anywhere is better than stasis. Hang in there and push through.
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Thanks for your thoughts, Josh. I agree with everything you said. As I mentioned in a few of my earlier comments, lately, it’s not so much writer’s block, though I’ve had my share of that, it’s a lack of motivation due to other priorities in my life. I have no doubt there will come a time when my focus on writing returns. Perhaps when I no longer work an 8-5 job. Until then, I thoroughly enjoy writing 100 words a week.
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And what do your characters have to say? Hopefully something good so you sit down and start writing it down 😉
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My characters often tell me things I didn’t know about my story. A few times, they’ve told me I have it all wrong. 🙂 In my sequel, my character, Nobu, told me a secret that created a whole subplot. Perhaps I need to sit down and have a conversation . . .
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Yes, sit down, have a conversation, write it out… Actually, I think having a lot of backstory from/for your characters that never makes it into the book is a very good thing. Even though it isn’t in the book, it is there and makes them much more real.
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Loved this, Jan. And, according to Wisoff-Fields, you belong in such company… my copy of the Red Kimono is on it’s way… 😉
Keep at it, something will happen!
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Thanks so much, Dale! Rochelle is a beautiful writer and a beautiful soul, and I flatter myself to include myself in her company. I do hope you enjoy The Red Kimono and appreciate your giving it a read! ❤
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That she is and if she tells me yours is worth it, I totally trust her judgment.
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I normally agonize over the first sentence, then the first paragraph. After that, I just chug along. I know I can. I know I can. 🙂
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That is similar to how it goes for me, too, Stu. I remember that “mantra” from one of my kids’ favorite books. I need to remember it with my writing. 🙂
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The good news is Writers Block is not related to Perry Block. If it was, we’d all be in a lot of trouble. When I stall out in a story, I just find something inanely silly and write about that. Pet peeves is a great place to start. They get the creative juices flowing every time.
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I’m going to have to try that, Russell. Because your writing is always creative and of course, always funny!
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When the novel isn’t working, flash fiction keeps a little juice flowing. Why not abandon the sequel to its fate and write something else?
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I agree, Liz. That’s one reason I love Friday Fictioneers! 🙂
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Here’s hoping your muse wakes up soon. I like the advice Liz offers. Change of scenery may be just what you need.
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I think my muse just needs to be a little more stubborn, Linda. 🙂
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I hear you, Jan! Like you, it’s so not much that I’m “blocked” but that I am busy with so many other things in my life lately. Of course, “busy” doesn’t just happen externally; I know it means that I’m putting higher priority on those other activities than on working on my writing. Summers are often like that for me: so many other activities. I just have to trust my process, that I’ll be able to turn my attention back to writing later. Good luck with your own process and path!
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Joy, I’m glad I’m not alone, but I’m sorry we share the same position, too! Actually, I’m okay with the way things are. One day, the time will come (maybe when I retire?) when the writing bug will bite me hard enough again. For now, I write strictly for pleasure, and when I want to. 🙂
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Come to think of it, I’ve only ever written for pleasure. Although sometimes I do have to convince myself that it *will* be pleasurable, once I’ve forced myself to sit down and tackle a difficult scene.
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I think I have constant writers block that would prevent from even look at something so Sisyphean as writing anything beyond a piece of flash fiction or a poem… Keep it short is my best advice. Good luck with the sequel.
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Björn, your writing is so good, it’s hard for me to believe you’ve limited it to flash fiction, though I, too, love to keep it short. I think it’s a good exercise in using only what’s absolutely necessary.
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Maybe your muse has taken a gap year! If so it’ll return with lots to inspire you. Hopefully!
Click to read my FriFic tale
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I think you’re probably right, Keith. That’s why I don’t worry too much about it. My muse will return! 🙂
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Hopefully this will help exorcise that demon. Myself I have two or three things open that I’m working on and switch over if I dry up on one. The other is to write in my head as I’m driving or doing something else mundane, so that I have something to type up as soon as I get home, then I’m up and running.
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I do the same thing, Michael. I also often dream of what I write next. I, too, am working on a couple of different projects at once. So, unfortunately, my problem isn’t so much writers BLOCK, it’s writer’s lack of discipline. 🙂
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I do the multi-project thing like Michael, but not everyone is the same. All I can say is once a writer, always a writer, so the words will come again when they are ready. Inspiration will bounce in insisting on your attention with no respect for what you are doing and off you’ll go. Inspiration is like April in the Simon and Garfunkel song, “come she will.”
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I believe that too, Jilly. I’ve loved to write — needed to write — since junior high. “Come she will” indeed. 🙂 Thank you!
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Jan, you are most welcome!
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Fingers crossed.
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Thank you, Anurag. Just don’t let your crossed fingers keep you from writing. 🙂
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Never ever!
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I struggled with writer’s block for twenty years. Finally, I threw in the towel on writing. When I took it up again, I gave up on being good and just focused on getting out what wanted to be written. For me, the secret to getting around writer’s block is to stop worrying about how good or bad the rough draft is, and just go for it. Ironically, my writing over all is much better now.
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I think that’s an important key to writing–just write that shi??y first draft. That inner editor is fuel for writer’s block.
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After a while it will often turn out the stuff that seemed so bad on first reading is actually pretty good.
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I never struggled with writer’s block too much when I was younger but in the last four years or so I have had awful bouts of it. The book I’m currently writing I am having a nightmare with!
Best of luck, inspiration comes out of nowhere when you least expect it. 🙂
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I know that unwelcome guest has visited us all at one time or another. I’ll kick him out soon. Best of luck to you doing the same, Lisa!
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Thank you Jan! 🙂
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