I look at it the same way, Justin, and it's nice to hear another author mention it. There's no one way to overcome writer's block. Everyone has their own reasons why it exists. For me it's either physical sickness or being mentally drained. Hoping to participate again this week in fifties by the fire!
For me, writer's block is never a permanent thing. It's more about finding the right time to do the right activities. When I'm unsure how to move forward with a piece of work, I let it sit and move onto another project or another activity. I have no desire to try and sledge hammer my way through a wall! Lol. I love your posts Justin.
Haha! No, I can’t imagine trying to hammer my way through, either. Your approach makes a lot of sense. I often do the same thing. No need to drive ourselves crazy! Thanks a bunch for the kind words, Jason! 😄
Good post Justin. I'm like you and many others when it comes to writer's block so to speak. If I start stumbling on a story I'll let it sit for a short time. If I'm trying to come up with material for an idea, I won't force it. I'll do something else and hopefully when I get back to it I'll have something.
If you've never seen it, watch "The Ninth Configuration" - this weirdly funny, absurdist, existentialist film has a psychiatric patient who at one point wants to walk through walls, smashing through it with a sledgehammer. Stacey Keach (in an awesome role) asks him why he does that: "I'm convinced that we can walk through walls. Not only me. Anyone. Cops. People. People in Nashville. I try to exert the full force of my mind and all the atoms of my body - so that they will mix and rearrange and fit exactly all the holes in that wall. Then I try the laboratory method. I try to walk through it. Through the wall. Just like a few minutes ago, when I took a running bash - and I failed. Horribly. (hits the wall with the hammer again) - I am punishing the atoms. I am making an example of them. An object lesson. A thing. So when the other atoms see what's coming, they'll let me pass through. Independent snots, shape up or ship out!"
Man - now I want to rewatch the movie - it's a trip. Fantastic, irreverent, truly creative writing and acting and, again, beautifully nuts as hell. Here's the clip with the above scene > https://youtu.be/5Vk4OrwUjO8 Thanks for your post - made me think of it!
Haha, thanks for sharing, Daniel. I’ve never heard of the film, but I just watched the clip. “Shape up or ship out!” gave me a good laugh at the end. 🤣
Thanks so much for reading my story. I really appreciate it, and I’m happy it reminded you of this movie! One of these days I’ll have to check it out in its entirety.
I don’t get blocked, I get “I don’t feel like writing.” In varying degrees up to burnout. So I don’t write when I don’t feel like it. Since writing is not my job, and certainly doesn’t pay the bills, I see no reason to suffer for my art. 🤣 I just wait until I feel like it. I have plenty of other creative interests to keep me occupied.
I hear you, Mark, haha! I’m a fellow hobbyist, and this most likely plays a major role in why I view writer’s block in this fashion. There are no looming deadlines that must be met...and maybe it’s for the best. 🤣
Usually, when I get blocked, it’s on a specific beat or section. I’ll jump ahead and write something else, then come back to the problem section later. No use beating your head against the wall!
Yes! Makes a lot of sense to me. And I’m sure when approached in this way, the problem works itself out by simply stepping away from it for a bit. Problems in fiction writing have always panned out in a similar fashion for me, too!
Love the quote. If words are needed to put food on the table, I’d like to think the writer involved would find the words! I view it the same way, Jimmy.
Great story and imagery, Justin. I'm not a pusher/chiseler either. If the inspiration is there, I don't need a push. If anything, I need a set of reigns to hold me back because I'll dive in and write straight out until the well runs dry... aka "flow state central". I've learned to just embrace those bursts of writing energy. A). because they feel awesome and B) because they get words on the page. When I get "stuck", it's usually on an ending. Nailing the last line of a chapter or A WHOLE BOOK is really crucial for me, so if it doesn't hit me the first (or second or third) time, I'll step away and let my brain mess with it for a while until something clicks. I like to say that "thinking time" IS writing time anyway. It's just writing "off page". That's where all stories take shape for me. In my wacky head. 😜
I'm hoping to join in on Friday, too. But damn if I haven't written a thousand first crushes/kisses/dances/dates already. I'll try to challenge myself. 😊
Thank you! And yes, same Meg! I don’t need much of a push either, and I try to take advantage of those bursts when they happen. I always enjoy checking my progress at the end of a writing session and saying, “Yes, 2,000 words!” or whatever. It’s very rewarding in a strange way, haha.
Endings are tough. Maybe it’s a part of the reason why I have so many half-finished manuscripts. 🤦♂️
That’s a great point about thinking time. I’ve never really thought about it the way you’ve framed it, but it’s true and makes a lot of sense. Any contribution toward a story or toward the writing process in general (outlining, planning, editing...and now thinking!) should count as “time spent writing” - definitely agree with you there.
And haha, no worries whatsoever either way with the fifties. Other options include “first time I killed a man” and “first time abducted by aliens”. 🤷♂️ There are no real rules here! 🤣
Feb 27, 2023·edited Feb 27, 2023Liked by Justin Deming
Great topic, Justin. And a very clever metaphor. I always expect my fiction to begin slowly. I have no idea in advance where they will go or what I want to say. Usually I look at a picture and write one line - the first line that comes to mind. Then I walk away, come back a while later and write a second line. Starting in small bites seems to take the pressure off and eventually I find what the characters want to do or say. For me writing is a bit like alchemy. I am not interested in writing for money or to a deadline, though. So writer's block is not something that I worry about. I like the new 50s prompt. I am writing about a first argument...
Thanks, Sharron! I love your approach. And I like how you always start with a picture as inspiration and go one line at a time. I usually don’t have a plan in mind when I write my short fiction, either. It’s always fun to let the characters take us on their journeys and guide us through.
I look at it the same way, Justin, and it's nice to hear another author mention it. There's no one way to overcome writer's block. Everyone has their own reasons why it exists. For me it's either physical sickness or being mentally drained. Hoping to participate again this week in fifties by the fire!
Thanks, Brian. Exactly! My day job often has the ability to wipe me out mentally, and sometimes it’s enough for me to put the pause on my writing.
For me, writer's block is never a permanent thing. It's more about finding the right time to do the right activities. When I'm unsure how to move forward with a piece of work, I let it sit and move onto another project or another activity. I have no desire to try and sledge hammer my way through a wall! Lol. I love your posts Justin.
Haha! No, I can’t imagine trying to hammer my way through, either. Your approach makes a lot of sense. I often do the same thing. No need to drive ourselves crazy! Thanks a bunch for the kind words, Jason! 😄
Good post Justin. I'm like you and many others when it comes to writer's block so to speak. If I start stumbling on a story I'll let it sit for a short time. If I'm trying to come up with material for an idea, I won't force it. I'll do something else and hopefully when I get back to it I'll have something.
Thanks, Pennie. That approach makes the most sense for me, too. No need driving ourselves crazy trying to force a story!
Oh, as for writer's block - wrote about it here > https://danielmartineckhart.substack.com/p/the-writers-block-phantom :-)
If you've never seen it, watch "The Ninth Configuration" - this weirdly funny, absurdist, existentialist film has a psychiatric patient who at one point wants to walk through walls, smashing through it with a sledgehammer. Stacey Keach (in an awesome role) asks him why he does that: "I'm convinced that we can walk through walls. Not only me. Anyone. Cops. People. People in Nashville. I try to exert the full force of my mind and all the atoms of my body - so that they will mix and rearrange and fit exactly all the holes in that wall. Then I try the laboratory method. I try to walk through it. Through the wall. Just like a few minutes ago, when I took a running bash - and I failed. Horribly. (hits the wall with the hammer again) - I am punishing the atoms. I am making an example of them. An object lesson. A thing. So when the other atoms see what's coming, they'll let me pass through. Independent snots, shape up or ship out!"
Man - now I want to rewatch the movie - it's a trip. Fantastic, irreverent, truly creative writing and acting and, again, beautifully nuts as hell. Here's the clip with the above scene > https://youtu.be/5Vk4OrwUjO8 Thanks for your post - made me think of it!
Haha, thanks for sharing, Daniel. I’ve never heard of the film, but I just watched the clip. “Shape up or ship out!” gave me a good laugh at the end. 🤣
Thanks so much for reading my story. I really appreciate it, and I’m happy it reminded you of this movie! One of these days I’ll have to check it out in its entirety.
I don’t get blocked, I get “I don’t feel like writing.” In varying degrees up to burnout. So I don’t write when I don’t feel like it. Since writing is not my job, and certainly doesn’t pay the bills, I see no reason to suffer for my art. 🤣 I just wait until I feel like it. I have plenty of other creative interests to keep me occupied.
I hear you, Mark, haha! I’m a fellow hobbyist, and this most likely plays a major role in why I view writer’s block in this fashion. There are no looming deadlines that must be met...and maybe it’s for the best. 🤣
Usually, when I get blocked, it’s on a specific beat or section. I’ll jump ahead and write something else, then come back to the problem section later. No use beating your head against the wall!
Yes! Makes a lot of sense to me. And I’m sure when approached in this way, the problem works itself out by simply stepping away from it for a bit. Problems in fiction writing have always panned out in a similar fashion for me, too!
If you treat writing like a job, you'll never get writer's block. As a wise person once said " There's no such thing as plumber's block."
Love the quote. If words are needed to put food on the table, I’d like to think the writer involved would find the words! I view it the same way, Jimmy.
Great story and imagery, Justin. I'm not a pusher/chiseler either. If the inspiration is there, I don't need a push. If anything, I need a set of reigns to hold me back because I'll dive in and write straight out until the well runs dry... aka "flow state central". I've learned to just embrace those bursts of writing energy. A). because they feel awesome and B) because they get words on the page. When I get "stuck", it's usually on an ending. Nailing the last line of a chapter or A WHOLE BOOK is really crucial for me, so if it doesn't hit me the first (or second or third) time, I'll step away and let my brain mess with it for a while until something clicks. I like to say that "thinking time" IS writing time anyway. It's just writing "off page". That's where all stories take shape for me. In my wacky head. 😜
I'm hoping to join in on Friday, too. But damn if I haven't written a thousand first crushes/kisses/dances/dates already. I'll try to challenge myself. 😊
Thank you! And yes, same Meg! I don’t need much of a push either, and I try to take advantage of those bursts when they happen. I always enjoy checking my progress at the end of a writing session and saying, “Yes, 2,000 words!” or whatever. It’s very rewarding in a strange way, haha.
Endings are tough. Maybe it’s a part of the reason why I have so many half-finished manuscripts. 🤦♂️
That’s a great point about thinking time. I’ve never really thought about it the way you’ve framed it, but it’s true and makes a lot of sense. Any contribution toward a story or toward the writing process in general (outlining, planning, editing...and now thinking!) should count as “time spent writing” - definitely agree with you there.
And haha, no worries whatsoever either way with the fifties. Other options include “first time I killed a man” and “first time abducted by aliens”. 🤷♂️ There are no real rules here! 🤣
Great topic, Justin. And a very clever metaphor. I always expect my fiction to begin slowly. I have no idea in advance where they will go or what I want to say. Usually I look at a picture and write one line - the first line that comes to mind. Then I walk away, come back a while later and write a second line. Starting in small bites seems to take the pressure off and eventually I find what the characters want to do or say. For me writing is a bit like alchemy. I am not interested in writing for money or to a deadline, though. So writer's block is not something that I worry about. I like the new 50s prompt. I am writing about a first argument...
Thanks, Sharron! I love your approach. And I like how you always start with a picture as inspiration and go one line at a time. I usually don’t have a plan in mind when I write my short fiction, either. It’s always fun to let the characters take us on their journeys and guide us through.
Can’t wait to read your “fifty”!
Just had a chance to read your post and it’s neat to hear you view it in similar fashion! Great stuff!