The Writers Battle
This morning I sat down at my computer ready to write (what I hope would be) another informative and funny post about life in Holland. I had a few ideas going around in my head but nothing fully formed yet. It was a sea of possibilities, time to turn my thoughts into text on a computer screen. Everything was set. I was ready to begin. I put my fingers to keyboard but then something happened. ‘It’ attacked.
We’ve all encountered it. The dark force, the evil that creeps amongst us, the sinister entity, devoid of any morals, uncaring of who’s life it destroys. I’m talking about the darkness that is Writers Block.
Only moments after I had begun it started whispering in my ear, making me doubt the few words I had on the screen while at the same time making the backspace button look so inviting. I battled with it for a while in a violent dance of keystrokes and deletion but I was powerless. I had to give up and let it win.
I tried to get on with other things afterwards but its mocking laughter kept on ringing in my ears. It was then that I had an idea. Some thing so crazy that ‘it’ would never expect and would be unable to stop me. That idea was this post. I have embrace Writers Block and written about it. If Writers Block saps all inspiration out of a subject then what happens when Writers Block is the subject itself? It would either have to sap the power out of itself or retreat.
I have found a way to beat it this time but I have only won the battle, not the war. Writers block is still out there. It is pure evil and can never truly be stopped. It creeps through our written language, feeding on the doubt of writers every where. Its diabolical goal is to destroy the world of literacy forever but we can not let it win.
Since I doubt my idea of forming an elite force of writers from history (Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, J R Tolkin, etc) for the final battle against Writers Block will work why don’t you all share with us how you deal with Writers Block.
Bonestorm – I already know slamming of the head in a fridge door does not help no matter how hard you try.
BlondebutBright – That’s how this post went as well. I could not think of anything. Not even a sentence. Then when I picked this subject it became easy.
Ash – It worked for me too :p
Alan – I could always have them emerge from a canal.
Matt – I hope you wash your hands before you start typing.
Writer’s block? Hmmmm, sorry I can’t think of a thing to write about it. ;)
Seriously, for me I just write what’s on my mind sometimes. If I try to write something profound than I get stuck. Sometimes when people write just to write, that’s when I enjoy it the most. Randomness is great.
your little writer’s block fiend looks quite cute. not the dark force you describe at all!
seriously though, i tend to get designer’s block – a good two weeks of no ideas then suddenly they all come flooding, bit like buses, or boys.
Heheh, I know the feeling. I’ve done a lot of writing, not much of it good (although I’ve had a few short stories published) and there’s nothing worse than getting all revved up to go and have nothing come out.
Maybe there’s some kind of home-made remedy floating around out there, like whacking yourself in the face with a bowling pin. Worth a shot! :p
That’s the beauty of the blog – I’ve written a few posts on writer’s block myself!
I can relate – I just spent six days trying to get something out and then wrote it in 10 minutes. Funny how that works.
Don’t let his cuteness fool you. He is pure evil.
I just write off some random crap and hope for the best.
I read an interview with Bernard Cornwell once where he said that every time he gets writers block he just has a troop of Napoleonic soldiers appear over a nearby hill, and things always just seem to happen from there.
Not much use to you, I know. No Napoleonic soldiers in Holland. Or hills for that matter.
I suffer bad. I’m also a major sufferer of ‘avoidititus’, whereby I find random jobs to do to avoid doing the thing that I really need and want to do. It’s a subconscious thing.
As for writers block. I like to surf porn. After a guilty half hour I’m writing away full of material and ideas.
Have you ever considered taking up humor writing Stu?
Hello Stu, are you still living? Humor writing?
Ps: your page is messed up again!
I just hawk around the internet looking for news stories that wind me up and/or amuse me.
Most of my material comes from Fox News and the BBC. Failing that a good Honey Badger post can never fail to hit the mark.