Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Funnier Side of Writer's Block


Hi there everyone, 


Mila Ramos here saying good day to you from my very own home. Now today is something I suffer from a great majority of the time; writer's block. Truth be told I have no clue why I am susceptible to it, but I have been told its because I think too many routes to different ideas. 


I'm sure everyone has had those moments where in the middle of the story everything stops; all thought processes. It can be for a story, a paper, or even trying to figure out an idea.


The last time I had this it lasted for three months, currently this block is about 2 weeks old. What causes writer's block? Is it a sudden shut down of the brain, or maybe its that all the neurons have decided to throw a coup? What ever it is, it can drive a person crazy. As it is doing to me right now at this moment.


Its very disconcerting and frustrating to walk by your manuscript and see it laughing at you. Or maybe that's just me and my over-active imagination. :D There I am almost at the home plate, almost completely finished not with one but THREE story outlines, and then....blank.


System error: not enough memory.


Usually during this time I catch up on sleep, lay about and watch TV, read other books or focus on my school work and several other hobbies. Sometimes I do get the evil grin of mischief and become hell bent on driving everyone else nuts.


Personally I don't mind driving other people bonkers, it makes for quite an interesting day.


Unfortunately though, I think they've enjoyed my short little excursions out to Starbucks-ville where a mocha-frap will calm the antsy side of me.


Now I read some tips to use for getting over writer's block.  Some of these tips have been helpful so far, but others I'm slowly working through. 

  • 1. Implement a Writing Schedule.
  • 2. Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself.
  • 3. Think of Writing as a Regular Job, and Less as an Art.
  • 4. Take Time Off If You've Just Finished a Project.
  • 5. Set Deadlines and Keep Them.
  • 6. Examine Deep-Seated Issues Behind Your Writer's Block.
  • 7. Work on More Than One Project at a Time.
  • 8. Try Writing Exercises.
  • 9. Re-Consider Your Writing Space.
  • 10. Remember Why You Started to Write in the First Place.



So with these tips what am I doing in the meantime? I am looking over people's shoulders and wondering what they're up to. Of course the grim look of being pestered is one I'm used to lol, but it makes for a lively day.


Quoting a quite infamous saying when your stuck on a trip taking forever "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" Only in this case the saying has changed. "How about now...are you ready to write?" Then nothing until two seconds later I ask it again.


Yes, this writer is bugging herself to death lol. Oh well, I just have to wait this one out. As much as most people say you should free think ideas, write things down or re-read a story to get back into the state of things; I can't. I actually have to forget the story for a while so I can go back to it with a fresh pair of eyes and ideas.


So to my little coup up in my head...though I know your celebrating, I will concede.


You win...for now.


~Mila Ramos
Out Now!  Echoes and Illusions with Melange Books
Out Now!  The Watchers with Melange Books
Out Now!  The Seventh Legend with Melange Books
Out Now!  Smoldering Ember & Touch of Fire with Whiskey Creek Press


3 comments:

Jenny Twist said...

The upside is, it is believed that if you set up lots of different routes to your ideas, you are much less likely to develope Altzheimer's.
Love & kisses
Jenny
xxx

Mila Ramos said...

I think at the rate I go Jenny there is no way I could ever get Altzheimer's. Then again I often do forget how in the world I came UP with the idea.

Ever get that some days?

Mysti said...

I just came out of a pretty bad case of writer's block on my current project, and now the bug's bit in again,so I'm neglecting everything to write while it lasts!!!

Those are all great tips. I often will just focus on my 1.5 million other mundane tasks for a while, and sometimes inspiration will hit while I'm scrubbing a toilet or trimming my little boy's nails. :)_

I've been affected by mommy-brain for nearly 10 years now. I'm just now starting to feel like myself again since my kiddos are growing up a bit. I figure I better write like the dickens until the Alzheimer's kicks in.