Hey readers!
I'm back, and I am not an impostor. Like I promised, I am keeping this blog updated. So, here's another post!
Let's face it, I think over the coarse of every writer's career we all have one problem in common. Despite the wonderful idea we have in our heads, it is sometimes impossible to get the story into words on paper (or computer). Most people call it writer's block. Personally, I don't believe in writer's block. It is all in the head. If the story is there, all it takes is an atmosphere to get that story out. Most people who claim to have "writer's block" really just have a lack of that--atmosphere.
That perfect story is bubbling over in your brain. You have the characters, the plot--the whole nine yards. You sit down ready to pound out the story on your old-fashioned type-writer when it happens. The neighbor's dog starts barking. A police car blares its siren. The baby starts crying. A guy with a chainsaw down the street decides that he should cut down his tree. Someone comes to your door to sell you cookies. An earthquake strikes. Suddenly, that story that you were so ready to write is pushed, no, shoved out of the way and replaced with all of these distractions. Yes, some of them are important (Who knows the next time you're going to need a quick snack while writing, so be sure to buy those cookies!). However, at the same time, if that story is to ever be completed, those distractions need to be eliminated. Don't go out and shoot the neighbors dog, or give up your child for adoption. Really, please don't do that. Buy a shock caller, so the next time the dog barks it's hit with enough electricity to power your electric car, find a time when your baby is sleeping to get some writing in, and if earthquakes continue to distract your writings, for crying out loud, MOVE!
There are many times that I sit down and have the urge to just whip up ten pages of my story, but as soon as I sit down, I can hardly get a paragraph out. My problem is not writer's block, its that I don't have the right atmosphere to do it. I make sure I change that. I have found that I do my best work later in the evening. My body is calm and relaxed without too much energy, the sun is close to setting (or if in the Iowa winter it has set 6 hours before!) and the only light is now my computer screen and a candle. To keep noise out, I have ear buds blaring my favorite country songs and I am all set to let my imagination roam free. Each writer has his or her own personal preference for the best atmosphere to write in, and I am sure that all of you will find yours. If you have "snipers" that come to eliminate your writing time, find ways around them. As soon as you have that perfect place, the words will start to flow and your story comes together. Trust me, it will.
Be sure to just keep at it, and like always enjoy...hey, is that my doorbell? Gotta go, someone is selling cookies! ;) Until next time readers!
-zjh
"Writer's block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol." -Steve Martin
See even Steve agrees, writer's block is all in the head.
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