Writer’s block
Thursday, Jun 29, 2006
My husband informed me that all great writers contract writer’s block sometimes. But that was no comfort to me, as he didn’t mention that poor writers get writer’s block as well. I’m on my 42nd revision of the third complete rewrite of my first-ever maybe-published essay. Greg tells me that I shouldn’t try so hard, but if I stop trying, then I’ll wake up with night sweats on the eve of the deadline. I’m a geek.
Have you ever dreamed that it was time for a final exam, and panic sets in because you haven’t attended any of the classes? Or how about the one where there are 23 questions left and the timer is about to ring? (That actually happened to me on the ACT.) So, I do what I always do in moments of crisis deadlines [cue Gone With the Wind music]: I think about something else.
Like what a perfect breakfast is. This morning I had a bowl of blueberries with a cup of coffee. Hash browns on the side with ketchup are also good, but not when you make them at your own home for some reason. I thought to ask what the perfect breakfast is, but then I realized that I already told you.
Speaking of replays, whenever I fail to publish worthy content (like, say right now), there is always worthy matter in the sideblog. Not everyone has writer’s block all the time. Just the poor ones, like me.
Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. — Gene Fowler
I always do the first line well, but I have trouble doing the others. — Molière
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A similar encouraging explanation comes from sportswriter Red Smith: “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.”
Comment by Rick Saenz (June 29, 2006 @ 1:16 pm )
Hi Amy,
I’m a first-time visitor to you site and an aspiring writer, as well. I have a inspirational romance novel I started two years ago and still have at least one more chapter to write…but with two young children, homeschooling…you name it, it’s hard to find that extra time. How do you do it with FIVE?
I enjoyed taking a look around your blog and I’ll be back!
~Tammy
http://familydoins.blogspot.com/
Comment by Tammy (June 29, 2006 @ 2:19 pm )
I would love to write………..but can’t even keep my blog in order. I think you are doing just fine, especially with your new addition to take your attention.
Comment by Susanna (June 29, 2006 @ 2:49 pm )
Amy,
I would encourage you to join a local writers group or sign up for one on the Web. I’m part of a group of four published authors and they’ve helped considerably. We meet once a month to review each other’s work. I know that I’m satisfied if they encourage the work or discourage it. Either way, I know they’ll help set me on the right path.
BTW, thanks for the link to my post at Cerulean Sanctum about writing Christian characters.
Comment by DLE (June 29, 2006 @ 3:40 pm )
You know you have writer’s block when you write about writer’s block.
It will pass.
Comment by mopsy (June 29, 2006 @ 3:58 pm )
Hopefully youi’ll find some inspiration that will get you past the block. It’s really enjoyable to read your writings– keep up the good work!
Comment by MInTheGap (June 29, 2006 @ 4:01 pm )
Amy,
I truly couldn’t believe it when I read your post…go to my blog and you’ll see why I say that! Maybe there’s something in the air and it’s traveling from East to West. Ya know like those friendly hurricanes we can get down here.
Comment by Lora K. (June 29, 2006 @ 4:25 pm )
I haven’t posted in almost a week. sigh…
Home repairs, housework, etc.
OK! OK! Writer’s block and procrastination don’t go well together…
Comment by joythruchrist (June 29, 2006 @ 4:33 pm )
When this happens, I try not to think about what it is I’m supposed to write about. I’ll let my mind drift to other topics. I when I know something is going to be published, my mind set often changes and that affects my writing. Often, I’ll write my thoughts as a blog post in the editor there. For some reason, that seems to help me. I’m not sure why. Anyway, your an encouragement to many women and I’m sure that as you pray and write from your heart it will be good.
Blessing
Spunky
Comment by Spunky (June 29, 2006 @ 7:43 pm )
Me, too.
Comment by Cindy (June 29, 2006 @ 9:48 pm )
Amy, I have that final exam dream from time to time. What does it mean??
Comment by Monica (June 29, 2006 @ 10:14 pm )
I glanced at your sidebar and saw this:
Dan touches on why I avoid Christian fiction. Has anyone read any that could be classified as “good”?
You did ask the question (although it may have been rhetorical; I’m ignoring that). Before I give you a recommendation, I want to preface this by saying that I am choosy when it comes to what I read in Christian fiction. (Well, any fiction, for that matter.) I worked at a Christian bookstore for years and at the end of that job I felt ill at the thought of reading any book written by a Christian fiction author. BUT over the past couple of years I have stumbled across a few authors that I genuinely appreciate.
So. I’m going to tell you the last excellent (note: I said excellent, not just ‘good’) book I read:
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin.
Has anyone read Charles Martin? He’s also written a few other books: (The Dead Don’t Dance, Wrapped in Rain, and another coming out in the fall, I think). All very good. Great character development. And Martin is just a great storyteller.
You won’t be disappointed, and you likely will not want to put it down once you read the first page (in my humble opinion).
Okay. I’ll stop rambling. But do let me know if you end up reading it, okay? (Aren’t you at least a LITTLE curious?)
~Stacy
Comment by reforming mama (June 29, 2006 @ 11:14 pm )
Blueberries and coffee? That truly IS the perfect breakfast, accompanied by half & half.
Comment by Rebecca (June 30, 2006 @ 12:24 am )
I rarely read any new fiction, Christian or otherwise. What I enjoy is usually decades old and has proven to be classic literature. However, Jan Karon’s books that chronicle Father Tim’s life in Mitford are diamonds in the rough. I have read these more than once. The stories are interesting, humorous, and heart-warming. They chronicle Father Tim’s life from about age 60 on (there are 7 books, I think, so there’s too much to condense for this comment). Bare minimum description: follow a priest’s ministry in a very small town, his relationship with Jesus, and the relationships he builds with Mitford’s residents. They are edifying and fun; I unreservedly recommend them if you’re looking for some fiction. The first title in the series is At Home In Mitford.
Comment by Leslie (June 30, 2006 @ 10:17 am )
I thought you WERE publishing here!
Comment by Katherine (June 30, 2006 @ 10:24 am )
I used to have that nightmare regularly–about either my college Russian class or calculus. I had not been to class all term, couldn’t find the book, and wasn’t even sure where the class was held. I would dream I was running all over a school or a college campus, frantically searching for the test while trying to page through somebody else’s book and absorb some knowledge of things I had never seen before.
One night I was having this dream, but somehow it got mixed in with trying to calm fussy babies. All of a sudden it occurred to me, “WAIT! I AM THE MARRIED MOTHER OF NUMEROUS SMALL CHILDREN! I AM NOT IN SCHOOL ANYMORE!” I jolted to consciousness and haven’t had the dream since. Hallelujah!
Turn it over to Jesus. He already knows the future. Put it in His hands. He puts us into the state you’re in so that at the end we realize that He was the one who accomplished the task. It really helped me when I realized not only that I couldn’t do it without Him, but that I can certainly do everything through Christ who strengthens me (everything that is His will for me to do).
Comment by ruth (June 30, 2006 @ 3:13 pm )
Tammy, Welcome to AHM.
Dan, Thanks for the recommendations; I’ll look into the first book you posted about today.
Lora, Funny!
I think that’s a chicken-egg dilemma. (I wouldn’t procrastinate if I didn’t have The Block.)
Cindy, We need to do mocha together or something.
Spunky, That made me think of, “Don’t think about the elephant in the middle of the room.” The harder I try not to think about it, the worse it gets.
That I’m not the only one needing therapy apparently.
No, but I’m putting it on my list, along with DLE’s recommendation of Stein on Writing and Leslie’s recommendation.
Wrong. Flavored coffee creamer–toasted almond or that new Hershey’s one.
The difference between blog writing and other writing is that there is no pressure, no agenda, no topic, no rules. The reason I do not post daily is that sometimes I sleep during the kid’s quiet hour instead of writing here. I have priorities.
I think I answered everyone who asked a question or needed some straightening in their thinking (
) . I’ll write again when I get a few minutes, as The Block isn’t currently in effect here…
Comment by Amy Scott (June 30, 2006 @ 6:26 pm )
Okay since trying not to think about it won’t work - try a caramel machiatto from Starbucks. If you get a double shot you’ll have more energy than you know what to do with. Just set you fingers on home row and trust me the fingers just move themselves. Really. Trust me. Then when you’re exhausted go back and read what you wrote. There’s bound to be at least one or two sentences worth reading. Repeat the process until the essay is finished.
Blessings
Spunky
P.S. If your nursing don’t ask me what to do with an over caffeinated baby.
Comment by Spunky (June 30, 2006 @ 8:04 pm )
I have that school dream whenever I am very stressed. I call it my anxiety dream. I can’t find the classroom, I failed to attend classes all semester and I’m missing the final exam.
I hope you finish your essay without further stressed-out dreams!
Comment by Mel (July 1, 2006 @ 2:13 am )
Have you ever dreamed that it was time for a final exam, and panic sets in because you haven’t attended any of the classes?
YES! What does that MEAN??
Comment by Kim (July 1, 2006 @ 6:02 pm )
When I was in a college writing class, I was taught that the best way to overcome writers block is to speak into a tape recorder, play it back and transcribe it. You can then edit your transcription. I’ve never had to try it but I bet it works.
Comment by Annette (July 2, 2006 @ 5:17 am )
Hey Amy some topics I’d like to hear from you on are: a list of resources to read on Homesteading, how do people rationalize taking on such a huge debt for the land, post a new recipe or two, and how do you deal with clutter and finding time to rid yourself of it? You could toss in your thoughts on how to instill chararcter in your children and ideas on how to show your husband how special he is with very little privacy (i.e. the little ones I am trying to instill character into being undefoot!) What is your current favorite Scripture passage an why? What are you doing for the Fourth? Or jus ruminate on which attributes of God stick out the most at the moment.
Comment by Heather (July 3, 2006 @ 9:07 am )
Maybe it’s time for another entry on the deep topic of Cranberry Sauce.
I agree with Heather’s suggestions.
Comment by Jo (July 3, 2006 @ 3:07 pm )
Jo and Heather,
My lack of posting is because my free moments are being spent at the sewing machine this weekend. I’m happy to talk about your list, though! I’ll get something up later today, Lord willing.
Comment by Amy Scott (July 3, 2006 @ 3:23 pm )
A little late here, I know, but I just read these comments nad had to pipe up…
What are we going to do with you??
I’m terribly curious about this 42-times-revised third draft. Are you going to tell anyone what it is about and what it is for?
All I’ve got to say is this: You are trying WAY too hard on yourself or else this whole piece was completely tongue-in-cheek. You are a superb writer and you don’t even try. That’s what I like so much about your blog. You are a natural talent. It just flows out of you.
Goodness, you could submit most of your blog entries to many places and get paid for them. I’ve been thinking recently that I should join the ranks of people who are encouraging you to write a book (I’m sure there would be a whole host of moms waiting in line to buy it. I am saying this in all seriousness.) If I can easily sell hundreds of books, you can easily sell hundreds of thousands of books.
Like I said, you are way too hard on yourself.
Comment by Crystal (July 3, 2006 @ 4:56 pm )
I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.
Both.
I made $4 once. True story.
Thanks, Crystal! I’ll sign you up as my agent.
Not anything my shrink isn’t handling.
Comment by Amy Scott (July 3, 2006 @ 10:48 pm )