Thank you for sharing what you are going through right now with your writing!
For me, when I get stuck writing, I do something that takes my mind off of it. For instance, I have an impromptu dance party in my living room all by myself. I've read somewhere that our creativity lies in our sacral chakra, which is around our hips and pelvic area, so moving the energy in that part of your body might help to get the creative energy flow within you. Don't judge yourself on how you're dancing, just go with what your body wants to do. Put on some Shakira perhaps? lol She's got some hip shaking music. Just a thought.
Your right about releasing the creativity nesting in our sacral chakra. Gentle moving in circles like a belly dancer is magical. Good for the core muscles, and good for the mind.
I've often thought it works so well because when we sit at the computer too long, we compress our vertebrae.
That's the way to do it! As if you are at one of their concerts!! No need to buy a ticket because you are at home!! The best of both worlds!! I'll have to look up "The Struts". Thanks for the tip!
The best is an externally imposed deadline. The fastest I ever wrote was during the six weeks of my Clarion West summer. I wrote 12,000 in five days, driven by the desire not to embarrass myself in front of the 17 other brilliant writers in the critique group. Outside of that, I'm a couple hundred words per day guy.
For me, self-imposed deadlines like yours rarely work. I can't fool myself into believing they're "real." I envy your self-discipline!
Agree that externally imposed deadlines are the most effective! I think, in a way, I made my birthday-deadline an external one by sharing it with folks on Substack. Each day it was like, I knew I had to update my tracking chart and at least a few people would notice if I hadn't made progress so I almost crowd sourced an external accountability tool. I'm wondering if that is what got me through the finish line. Because its true, I am rarely able to meet my own internal deadlines!
Thank you for sharing this! For me, I think the creative block is my body’s way of telling me I’m tired and stressed and to slow down. I’ll often turn to something else creative to untangle the knot and unwind, and give myself a few days’ rest. Almost always, that clears it. Xx
This is amazing! I keep checking in to see where you are in your process. The word count production is off the charts.
When I get stuck - I do the things that help my brain get into a rhythm. Like using metronome-like activities - the steady, methodical beat creates a meditative state where I am actively sorting, creating, and organizing thoughts and concepts. My go-to is chopping in the kitchen. When vegetable soup appears for dinner my spouse looks over to me and says "big creative day today?" We both laugh. He knows me well.
Have I experienced writer's block, Noor? Not exactly. More like what you mentioned when there was a storm of thought in your mind.
Decades ago I dated a newspaper journalist who had to product a 1000-word column five days a week.
He would open a word doc, pick a topic, set a timer and write for one hour. No backspacing. No spelling correction. Just write as fast as he could.
That was way before auto-save, so he saved every ten minutes.
Then, when the alarm rang, he added numbers to the footer, printed out the doc, closed it, and got up to do a manual chore.
He came back an hour or so later, laid the pages out on a conference table, and scanned.
He said that he highlighted in yellow parts that jumped out at him. He would make a copy of the doc, spend another half an hour moving and deleting parts.
Funny thing is, he said he was very close each time, and he had several columns working.
I've used the method when I feel stuck, and it still surprises me how effective it is.
That's a lot of words. Let us know how you get on and then share how you did it!
Thank you for sharing what you are going through right now with your writing!
For me, when I get stuck writing, I do something that takes my mind off of it. For instance, I have an impromptu dance party in my living room all by myself. I've read somewhere that our creativity lies in our sacral chakra, which is around our hips and pelvic area, so moving the energy in that part of your body might help to get the creative energy flow within you. Don't judge yourself on how you're dancing, just go with what your body wants to do. Put on some Shakira perhaps? lol She's got some hip shaking music. Just a thought.
Having a solo dance party to Shakira is a brilliant idea! I will definitely give it a try.
That's great! Have fun!! Let us know how it goes!
Your right about releasing the creativity nesting in our sacral chakra. Gentle moving in circles like a belly dancer is magical. Good for the core muscles, and good for the mind.
I've often thought it works so well because when we sit at the computer too long, we compress our vertebrae.
I'm adding this one to my list.
That's great, Maria! Let us know how it goes for you! What music will you use for dancing?
I love the British band "The Struts" - I immerse myself in the beats, bop, and go nuts, just as when I am at one of their concerts. LOL
That's the way to do it! As if you are at one of their concerts!! No need to buy a ticket because you are at home!! The best of both worlds!! I'll have to look up "The Struts". Thanks for the tip!
I'm going to do it more often, Maria. I was preoccupied with "getting it done" until recently
Let's get dancing, Donna!!
I so agree with you Donna! Yes, belly dancing is magical and fun!!
The best is an externally imposed deadline. The fastest I ever wrote was during the six weeks of my Clarion West summer. I wrote 12,000 in five days, driven by the desire not to embarrass myself in front of the 17 other brilliant writers in the critique group. Outside of that, I'm a couple hundred words per day guy.
For me, self-imposed deadlines like yours rarely work. I can't fool myself into believing they're "real." I envy your self-discipline!
Agree that externally imposed deadlines are the most effective! I think, in a way, I made my birthday-deadline an external one by sharing it with folks on Substack. Each day it was like, I knew I had to update my tracking chart and at least a few people would notice if I hadn't made progress so I almost crowd sourced an external accountability tool. I'm wondering if that is what got me through the finish line. Because its true, I am rarely able to meet my own internal deadlines!
Also 12K in 5 days is wild. Kudos for that!
Thank you for sharing this! For me, I think the creative block is my body’s way of telling me I’m tired and stressed and to slow down. I’ll often turn to something else creative to untangle the knot and unwind, and give myself a few days’ rest. Almost always, that clears it. Xx
That’s a wise approach, I’ll try it out!
This is amazing! I keep checking in to see where you are in your process. The word count production is off the charts.
When I get stuck - I do the things that help my brain get into a rhythm. Like using metronome-like activities - the steady, methodical beat creates a meditative state where I am actively sorting, creating, and organizing thoughts and concepts. My go-to is chopping in the kitchen. When vegetable soup appears for dinner my spouse looks over to me and says "big creative day today?" We both laugh. He knows me well.
Have I experienced writer's block, Noor? Not exactly. More like what you mentioned when there was a storm of thought in your mind.
Decades ago I dated a newspaper journalist who had to product a 1000-word column five days a week.
He would open a word doc, pick a topic, set a timer and write for one hour. No backspacing. No spelling correction. Just write as fast as he could.
That was way before auto-save, so he saved every ten minutes.
Then, when the alarm rang, he added numbers to the footer, printed out the doc, closed it, and got up to do a manual chore.
He came back an hour or so later, laid the pages out on a conference table, and scanned.
He said that he highlighted in yellow parts that jumped out at him. He would make a copy of the doc, spend another half an hour moving and deleting parts.
Funny thing is, he said he was very close each time, and he had several columns working.
I've used the method when I feel stuck, and it still surprises me how effective it is.