Worst... Writer's Block... Ever...

As of last year I could barely start a story. I get one to two pages down and then I lose the fire. I've had wonderful dreams that I could have made into a story but when I finally get to writing it down, I'm so disappointed with it that I give up OR I just can't seem to write it. I even have RPG sites that I attend regularly because before that I've been dying for a lasting RPG site because I've been DYING to unleash my creativity. Now that I have the opportunity, my mind goes blank.

I tried writing a story today, I got in three shabby paragraphs and then lost it completely. I feel like I have the worst writer's block in the history of literature! haha it's funny but also very irritating.

I really need help finding inspiration and power to actually write a story and finish it because I haven't in a lonngggg lonnnggg time. I can be very passionate about my works and what I write about but lately I've kinda died.

Any ideas on how to resurrect me? lol

Oooh... I hate it when that happens! Especially when it's in increments of years.

Well... everybody is different. For me, I'll just stop writing and eventually it'll come back to me in full force, just because I tend to wear myself out with writing and I need a break. For you, it may be different. But here's what you can try:

First of all, don't worry about writing crap. I was looking through some of my old stuff and, quite honestly, it's pretty terrible. But those were my first drafts. I fixed that stuff up ages and now it's beautiful. So don't worry about writing crap for the rough draft. If it comes out perfect in the rough draft, you're probably an alien. The way you get around this is by editing. That's when it gets better.

Second of all, use YWS to your advantage! What works for me is I tend to collect readers... that is, I'll notice who actually likes my stuff and I'll get them to nag me about working on the next project, just because I can be such a filthy procrastinator. So that can totally work, though you may need to bug a couple of people on here. I also like ranting about my stories to other people so I can work out any plot kink or just get enthusiastic about the project. Again, I bug people who are interested in my work and can sufficiently harass me, but decide what works for you.

Also, there are places to go to which basically make you write. For example, there are a lot of people who hold contests on YWS. You can join a contest and write a work to win. Winners get special prizes which vary, depending on who's holding the contest. So that can totally be an incentive to write, if you are of the competitive nature.

Anyway, the point is, figure out how YOU work and get other people involved with making you write. It works... really.

that does sound like a really good idea but I'm not the person who likes to go out and tell about my stories, I'm just not built that way lol

sometimes other people can't even help me write though, like i said i have a couple RPG sites that i play on but I just can't grasp the fire to write something.

I believe you on editing drafts and such. My first drafts are usually so terrible because of grammar and poor use of words lol but i think my problem is that i delete some stories that i don't touch in a long time. I've already made myself promise never to delete another story ever again because it might come back to me. Thanks though, maybe I really do need some support to write again.

All right. Just remember, if you ever need anybody to bounce ideas off of, we're all writers, so we definitely help each other out.

Writer's block is always chased away by stuff from DeviantArt, particularly the ones in the digital art section.

I'm in this bind right now, actually. ^_^

I haven't had the will to right in ages. In fact, I have a brilliant story idea that I started writing... and then I stopped. It's been six/seven months since I wrote a full-out short story.

Except for one.

How did I get the willpower to write this one, let alone enter it in a [contest]? I talked to my friends! We were just talking about happy stories and how difficult it is. Right then, I felt like I needed the challenge. I wrote one and entered it, so why not write another? And I did.

Basically, I conjured up an idea just by bouncing ideas among my friends. We each had fun with cliches and non-cliches to the point where a couple of us claimed some ideas to write into a story. It took me a record three sit-downs to write my story, and it's one of the best I've written.

After that, I haven't had much willpower to write. I take this as a need for a break. I've done my part when it came to writing, and it's helped me improve in areas I needed improvement. Now it's time for a well-earned break, and maybe that's where you are now. Just step away from Microsoft Word or your notebook or wherever you write.

You'll still have the need to edit or read or whatever, and YWS is here to help you with that! I've been camping out here in Writing Tips all summer. I love to write, but I haven't had the will to write my own stories in ages. Might as well help others!

So basically, I think you just need a break from writing. ^_^ Step away from the computer/notebook. It's about time to try new things to distract yourself until you find the will to write a story!

Hope that helps you get through this. I'm in the same situation, and I'm just going with it. I write my best when I want to write, not when I force it. =)

Keep writing!

Jabber, the One and Only!

I suggest that whatever you're doing in life righ tnow, try to branch out. I mean, try to experience new things, like a new hobby, or something along those lines. Try to listen to different kinds of music. Try to take long walks. Heck, try something that absolutely you know you'd never usually do, and see what that does for you. In my experience, trying to do something like that has only brought positive results and creativity on, rather than taking anything away.

Hey Kaiden ^^ Shina here, and I'll try to help you get through this writer's block.

I've written plenty of articles on this, but I'll personalize this one for you

Many people wonder what the mysterious, mine-boggling, condition known as "writer's block" is. Others, who have been hindered by its presence, ask how to overcome it.

I. What is Writer's Block?

Dictionary Definition: situation when writer cannot write: an inability on the part of a writer to start a new piece of writing or continue an existing one.

The real definition: whatever you think it is.

Writer's block is a plague of the mind, a disease that grows as you put more pressure on yourself. The dictionary is right when they say writer's block is a situation where a writer is unable to write, but they forgot to add a very important detail: why the writer can't write.

[writer's block] <--- See this block here? This is writer's block.

No one actually "gives" you writer's block. It's actually only you who can give it to yourself. The second you doubt yourself, the moment you look back at what you've written, and the time you see your writing through the eyes as someone other than the writer is usually when you get "writer's block".


II. Preventing Writer's Block

The best way to prevent writer's block is to know how writer's get it.

Here's a list of how most writer's get hit with the writer's block:

-no inspiration
-beyond author's experience
-putting to much pressure on self
-expecting their writing to be perfect or as good as the other "masterpieces" they've written
-depression
-end of a relationship
-financial/life pressures
-sense of failure
-new ideas
-fingers, heart, and mind aren't in harmony

III. Overcoming Writer's Block

The first step to overcome writer's block:

Look at writer's block as the following --->[writer's block]

See? It's just a little block. Nothing more than a measly, little brick. Remember that the only thing that makes writer's block so deadly is the mind of the beholder.

Once you realize how powerful you are compared to writer's block, try some of the following:

Forget about writing for a moment! Don't think about your story, just live. Read a book, watch some T.V., eat some pie, play sports, and so on. Little things like this will ignite the fire called "imagination." This break from writing can be anything from 5 minutes, to a month depending on how long you'd like to take.

Change subjects for a bit. Maybe you need some time to express some other emotions you're having that's not exactly right for your main piece of writing.

Don't "force" yourself to write, convince yourself. Why are you writing? What do you want to achieve? Who are you writing for? Is there some sort of reward you'd like?

Write an experimental piece. Do some poetry, some scripts, and so on just to sharpen up your skills and get your creative brain cells going.

Schedule time to write and don't worry about the quality of your output.

Take a writing class! Do a writing workshop. Maybe enter a writing competition.

"mindwrite"-- impulsively write whatever the heck comes to your mind.

Join a writing group

Meditate, excercise, or do yoga.

Write a plot outline and make character profiles. Brainstorm!

Research what you're writing about so you'll know what you're talking about.

Get some fresh air.

Watch a play, read a book, or do something related to your story that might bring inspiration.

Talk to people. Don't hide in your little corner and lay there all day.

Listen to music.

Draw your story.

Review other people's writing.

Don't focus on writing well. Focus on writing. To overcome writer's block, just write! It's simple as that! Just start writing, laugh at how silly writer's block is, and keep going! Don't look back until you're finished. Realize that nothing you write will ever be perfect and that changes can always be made. Be proud that you've overcomed the "monster" and laugh out loud for ever doubting yourself.
-----------

And here's the other thing you need to realize: just about everyone has wonderful dreams.

The difference between a writer and a dreamer is the fact that the writer records their thoughts and dreams and binds the pages of their manuscript.

Writers write. The only time you're not a writer is when you're not writing

I getting serious about writing last November/December, and I finished a novel titled Angel's Symphony this past June. I may have taken a 3 month break to waste away on Maple Story, but I got it down. I stayed commited to the piece because I knew it was something worth reading and something I wanted to remember and share with other people.

Find the motivation to your writing. Who do you write for? What do you write for? What do you want to achieve by writing?

Only you can make yourself write. The pen is in your hand

-Shina

wow. that's a lot of good advice from everyone!

thanks! looking at everyone's advice I think the reason I've really hit a writer's block is because I'm forcing myself to write. Maybe I will take a break, do some new things, and play sports like I like to do.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help.


P.S. feel free to put down more tips, i could always use more.