tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post2647635547008541376..comments2024-03-26T16:52:31.007-05:00Comments on Smart Girls Read Romance: WEATHERING THE STORM OF WRITER'S BLOCKJoan Reeveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17622809465767116747noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-88782338610154809802013-09-14T11:21:05.141-05:002013-09-14T11:21:05.141-05:00Great article, Ashley. I think there are temporary...Great article, Ashley. I think there are temporary writing halts in every writer's life due to sickness, grief, personal life issues, and other intrusions. Personally, I think every writer has a unique set of fears and doubts, and if a writer allows too much time to pass without writing, then doubt and fear gain an upper hand.<br /><br />Then when the writer sits down to write, the creative process suffers because of these doubts and fears. If the writer does not push herself to write but rationalizes that tomorrow she'll do better, then the fear has won. The more often that writing loses and fear wins is the foundation of writer's block. Joan Reeveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17622809465767116747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-72201215674042116092013-09-13T22:11:28.713-05:002013-09-13T22:11:28.713-05:00Hi Carole - I am so sorry. Sending positive though...Hi Carole - I am so sorry. Sending positive thoughts and ((hugs)) you way that the storm will pass soon, and your creativity will be stronger than ever. Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-69135041607131894242013-09-13T18:42:57.737-05:002013-09-13T18:42:57.737-05:00Loved the post, Ashley! I'm in the midst of a...Loved the post, Ashley! I'm in the midst of a huge block right now, a large boulder, a cement cave. Grief and mourning can sink the creativity ship.<br /><br />I'm calling the crew to rescue my "black pearl" ship from Davy Jones locker. ;-) Wish me luck!Carole St-Laurenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941223844222435796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-15889196003330947282013-09-12T00:35:07.419-05:002013-09-12T00:35:07.419-05:00Hi Barbara - Well, just like style of writing, wh...Hi Barbara - Well, just like style of writing, what works for someone else may not work for me. But this episode was so tough, I really wanted to try anything. lol. I understand what you mean about not being able to sleep if you stop in the middle of a scene. But I think Hemingway meant to stop after a scene when you know what will happen next, rather than press on, and that it gives your mind a chance to re-charge. I know I have pushed on through the night in some instances...to the point of mental and physical exhaustion then found I should have stopped and rested. Maybe writer's block is our creative mind telling us to relax, gain some perspective and not try and force the work's progress. At least, for me, I think that's true...especially if a scene isn't working the way I want. It really is a "learn as you go" process for me, and so having feedback from others has been very helpful. :)). Thank you very much for commenting today. Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-37114671822866125962013-09-12T00:13:03.305-05:002013-09-12T00:13:03.305-05:00Hi Teresa - Thanks for your input! The "stor...Hi Teresa - Thanks for your input! The "story cards" are interesting, and I'd like to know more about them. The free writing exercises you do by writing poetry is great, and very creative. I can see how that might, in turn, stir the imagination. It's GREAT to hear how other writers work through this problem. :)Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-79719968940890327952013-09-11T23:01:52.295-05:002013-09-11T23:01:52.295-05:00Good post, Ashley. I've recently come off a ti...Good post, Ashley. I've recently come off a time when my story wasn't moving forward -- I tried not to call it Writer's Block, tho. But to stop in the middle of a scene that's going strong--I don't know that I could do that. I'd worry about it all night :)Barbara Bettishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16540961829243251471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-59601435730744394112013-09-11T13:12:59.569-05:002013-09-11T13:12:59.569-05:00I actually wrote an article on Writer's Block ...I actually wrote an article on Writer's Block one time. And still have used things from it to help me get unstuck. But recently I've found that the only time I get stuck is when my characters aren't doing what they need to do to further the plot or strengthen the romance. <br />So, I've found I need to pay close attention to what they're trying to tell me when the writing gets to be a struggle. <br />And your idea to stop in the middle of something is wonderful.<br />I've also found that if I write poetry, haiku in particular and practice using descriptive language in a different way, it seems to help inspire me. I also have deal a story cards created by Sue Viders that I use. Just to exercise my brain and get me going on plotting. <br />Thank you for a great post.<br />Teresa R. Teresa Reasor https://www.blogger.com/profile/18204579039577235727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-30392928211290661652013-09-11T00:17:57.796-05:002013-09-11T00:17:57.796-05:00Hi Sasha - I am so glad you commented! I really fo...Hi Sasha - I am so glad you commented! I really found Hemingway's suggestion fascinating, and can see how it would also keep the writing fresh and give your brain a chance to re-charge (so to speak). :)) Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-13466593939918873362013-09-11T00:13:36.069-05:002013-09-11T00:13:36.069-05:00Hi Lyn - Thank you very much. You are such a disci...Hi Lyn - Thank you very much. You are such a disciplined, productive, and wonderful writer, and I really appreciate your input here. Hearing about how others tackle the problem is interesting, and I think helps to understand just as the reason for writer's block may be different at any given time, the way to handle it can vary, too. ((hugs)) Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-85688432731479758232013-09-10T21:57:37.585-05:002013-09-10T21:57:37.585-05:00I agree with the idea of stopping your writing eac...I agree with the idea of stopping your writing each day when you are in the middle of a scene or a paragraph and you know exactly what is going to happen next. I have been trying this for a little while now and it means you can leap back into your writing each day. Great post Ashley.Sasha Cottmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06008412435470051213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-66401647081774372122013-09-10T21:39:26.570-05:002013-09-10T21:39:26.570-05:00Ashley, I too love your analogy. We are indeed on ...Ashley, I too love your analogy. We are indeed on a ship in a very stormy sea. Like you, I have moments, days, even weeks when the creative juices refuse to flow. Sometimes I hash through plot sticking points with crit partners. Other times I sit myself down, tune out the world and scribble in a notebook until I arrive at a good place in the plot. Then it usually starts flowing again. Sometimes I just give myself permission not to write. There are other things in life.Lyn Hornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596495172490672271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-77345559100767990362013-09-10T21:08:25.570-05:002013-09-10T21:08:25.570-05:00Must be a Virgo things, Caroline. Perhaps alignmen...Must be a Virgo things, Caroline. Perhaps alignment of the planets has some influence on people of a certain sign. Or, you instinctively knew I was having a problem. LOL I looking forward to reading that article! :)))Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-49301402804911407752013-09-10T21:06:07.047-05:002013-09-10T21:06:07.047-05:00Thanks, Ella. ((hugs))Thanks, Ella. ((hugs))Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-53421983279570710902013-09-10T17:53:01.326-05:002013-09-10T17:53:01.326-05:00Great analogy, Ashley. There is an article on 25 w...Great analogy, Ashley. There is an article on 25 ways of fighting writer's block in this month's newsletter. Great post as usual.Caroline Clemmonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14914658854159456335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-79839805243456530182013-09-10T16:39:29.926-05:002013-09-10T16:39:29.926-05:00I think all the advice is good. One way or another...I think all the advice is good. One way or another, it will work out. Good luck and hugs. Tweeted.Ella Quinn - Romance Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733983485270470132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-1984891006023357842013-09-10T14:26:09.225-05:002013-09-10T14:26:09.225-05:00Great information, Paty! Thanks for sharing how yo...Great information, Paty! Thanks for sharing how you approach the problem. I know many writers have had this type of writer's block and it can be frustrating. Hearing how others worked through it is very helpful. ((Hugs))Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-59496987803083733302013-09-10T12:35:02.815-05:002013-09-10T12:35:02.815-05:00If I find I'm at a roadblock in my writing it&...If I find I'm at a roadblock in my writing it's usually because I wrote the characters into a corner. I step back then read the last two scenes out of context to see if I need a different POV or to change their actions or the actions of the antagonist. Paty Jagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257614436422105729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-89245776235481979692013-09-10T12:17:26.422-05:002013-09-10T12:17:26.422-05:00Hi Lani - Thanks so much for taking the time to vi...Hi Lani - Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and comment. I am with you that I have never had this before, although there were days I didn't want to write. But usually I was plotting in my head or doing research. I am both fascinated and impressed with your approach of digging deep and analyzing the cause. Sounds like a life-changing revelation in many ways. Take care, and thanks again for sharing your experience. Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-34660212688646566312013-09-10T12:10:30.885-05:002013-09-10T12:10:30.885-05:00Hi Tuere - Thanks for visiting and sharing your ex...Hi Tuere - Thanks for visiting and sharing your experience. I can well imagine how upsetting it must have been to have Writer's Block for an entire summer. It has been about a week for me, and I think it's tied to this migraine. It was improving but today is not a good day. Take care. Ashley Kath-Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073164133698225798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-88519371920759033022013-09-10T10:48:47.775-05:002013-09-10T10:48:47.775-05:00Great post!
It's funny, because until very r...Great post! <br /><br />It's funny, because until very recently I never experienced writer's block. And I'd written for years--more than ten years of nothing close to writer's block. Oh, I had days where I didn't exactly feel like writing, but then once I opened my latest WIP, I'd get excited and run like a racehorse toward the finish line. I'm very humbled now to have experienced it and can sympathize and commiserate better with other writers.But what's more, I turned into my writer's block. Instead of running from it, which I like to do with all my conflict, I just asked it what it was. I dove deep into it, and it was dark and very personal. Once I started realizing what it was, it was easier to work through. It wasn't just an obstacle in my way any longer, but my instincts trying very hard to tell me something very important about me personally, and not just about my writing. It was one of the toughest journeys I've been through, and I'm not sure if I'm even done! But so worth it. <br /><br />Again, thanks for such a great post!Lanihttp://www.lbjoramo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625093777073151860.post-12687510339611976362013-09-10T06:49:25.838-05:002013-09-10T06:49:25.838-05:00Hmm, this one's tricky. At times, I'll eit...Hmm, this one's tricky. At times, I'll either read a book or series I enjoyed or watch a favorite movie. I also find if I spend some time with the genre I write, like YA, it helps. My last WB epi lasted the entire summer and I thought I was finished!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com