Write Something

“You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” Jodi Picoult

Creative writing is not the same as making a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. Once you put an ingredient in the pot, you can’t remove that item. The flavor changes with each addition of a vegetable, meat, or spice. Soup-making mistakes aren’t easily corrected.

Writing is different. You can put on paper descriptive words that don’t quite capture your thoughts. Continue writing. You can change words that you have written, but you can’t change what you don’t write.

Are you staring at a blank sheet of paper or blank screen? That’s writer’s block. Try quick writing which is timed, continuous writing without self-editing. Pick a subject; don’t agonize about it. Open a dictionary, novel, or newspaper. Pick any word. That becomes your topic for freewriting. This seems silly at first. However, your mind isn’t hampered by spelling errors, punctuation concerns, or difficult plot points. Write for fifteen minutes without stopping to change anything.

My first experience with quick writing came when a creative writing instructor told the class to write the word “chair” at the top of a sheet of paper. We were given ten minutes to write about a chair. At first I struggled. When I began to imagine who might sit in that chair, my writing took off.

Don’t want to try quick writing? Write about something you’ve seen or heard today. After reading a newspaper article, give your opinion of the information or on the writer’s interpretation of the event. Read a book and change one significant detail to give your spin to the tale.

Another way to stop the dreaded writer’s block is to take an idea from a book you’ve read or movie you’ve seen recently. Pick a scenario you would have created differently. Write this scene your way without stopping to correct spelling, change names, or edit in any way.

Try this: Close your eyes and picture a moonlit beach in the Caribbean. If you’re into murder mysteries, picture a couple walking down the beach when suddenly the woman pulls out a gun and shoots the man. If you’re into romance, picture that same couple suddenly dropping to the sand to make out. If you’re into science fiction, picture the couple discovering unidentifiable footprints in the sand. If you’re into memoirs, try to remember the last time you walked a sandy beach.

Do you self-edit as you write? Stop it! Editing while you’re working on your manuscript stops the creative flow. If you think of an alternate word, type it in red, underline it, or put it in the margin without deleting what you’ve already written. Check your thesaurus later to select the best word. You can always edit later by adding thoughts, deleting dialogue, or changing plots. YOU CAN’T CHANGE WHAT YOU DON’T WRITE

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    • Kelly Bixby on October 16, 2014 at 10:03 pm
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    Book Lover, I’ve found that having multiple writing projects is really helpful. When frustrated with my creative writing, I switch my attention to some other form of writing. Even if it’s just catching up with e-mails or the methodical typing of notes for a committee, I find it helpful to be writing something as opposed to nothing. It takes the focus away from my temporary lack of inspiration. Sometime though, I’ll have to give quick writing a try.

      • Book Lover on October 16, 2014 at 11:02 pm
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      Kelly, you have an interesting approach that works. Good for you. Quick writing could be added to your methods to help with your creative writing.

    • Yibbity on October 14, 2014 at 2:00 pm
    • Reply

    Interesting approach, never gave it a thought.

      • Book Lover on October 14, 2014 at 9:57 pm
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      There are many ways to overcome writer’s block. I enjoy exploring many of them.

    • Sue Remisiewicz on October 9, 2014 at 12:53 pm
    • Reply

    These are all great tips! Thanks for sharing!

      • Book Lover on October 9, 2014 at 11:20 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Sue. Sharing and encouraging others helps me with my writing.

    • Wendi on October 9, 2014 at 11:01 am
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    Book Lover, It’s funny how similar our blog ideas are this month. You’ll see mine tomorrow. I like your ideas and your push to keep moving forward in the writing process no matter what the outcome. Good stuff!

      • Book Lover on October 9, 2014 at 11:16 pm
      • Reply

      Wendi, I’m pleased you like my ideas. I can’t wait to read your blog tomorrow.

    • Claire Murray on October 6, 2014 at 11:51 am
    • Reply

    Good article! You have some great ideas for overcoming the all too familiar writers’ block.

      • Book Lover on October 7, 2014 at 4:16 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Claire. I wish writers’ block could be banished forever. But it feels so good when we overcome writers’ block to complete our manuscript.

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