I'm interested to hear how you guys overcome writers block. I usually deal with it by taking a break from writing until I get some inspiration.
Writers block
Several tactics for me:
One, get in bath with pencil and paper, and sit there drifting (in more ways than one)
Two, stop watching TV - sometimes it can serve to disipate and muddy your thoughts rather than inspire
Three, keep several projects on the go - if one isn't flowing move to another and see what happens.
Four, start a blog about a subject you really love and if things go quiet, write about something that will come easy to you.
Five, autowrite - just sit with a blank page and write words, phrases, in the jumbled order they pop into your mind, then review and see if your subconscious has prompted an idea
Finally, if desperate keep a well-written good book to hand. Reading is the second best thing to writing, to get inspiration from.
But most important advice that all successful writers tell us minions is NEVER stop writing. Write through it. Always aim to write 600 - 1000 words a day. Even if it's a shopping list or diary.
If I don't feel like writing then I won't write. I never sit in front of a monitor staring at it unless I know I can write something because there's no point. If I'm stuck I'll make coffee and play Nintendo until I'm ready to get back to it.
Sing
SlagA i do the bath thing sometimes. i find it lets the mind wonder.
Quote: SlagA @ 6th October 2006, 10:19 PM BSTSeveral tactics for me:
One, get in bath with pencil and paper, and sit there drifting (in more ways than one)
Two, stop watching TV - sometimes it can serve to disipate and muddy your thoughts rather than inspire
Three, keep several projects on the go - if one isn't flowing move to another and see what happens.
Four, start a blog about a subject you really love and if things go quiet, write about something that will come easy to you.
Five, autowrite - just sit with a blank page and write words, phrases, in the jumbled order they pop into your mind, then review and see if your subconscious has prompted an idea
Finally, if desperate keep a well-written good book to hand. Reading is the second best thing to writing, to get inspiration from.
But most important advice that all successful writers tell us minions is NEVER stop writing. Write through it. Always aim to write 600 - 1000 words a day. Even if it's a shopping list or diary.
Glad I found this, although with me it's not so much writers block as a lack of motivation lately to write. I don't know if it's I just need a change or 'other' life stuff just creating a stumbling block but it's not a good feeling.
I hope it's temporary otherwise that scarecrow sketch I have just thought of is never going to get written. 
Quote: Shandonbelle @ 8th December 2013, 5:00 PM GMTlack of motivation lately to write
My biggest problem, too! With me it's usually 'other life stuff' taking up too much mental space, but I fear I might just be a little too self-critical as well. I need to just get a rough draft written instead of getting hung up on every duff line and putting myself off writing altogether. Getting a bit too perfectionistic while only on the first draft has definitely held me back.
Quote: sglen @ 9th December 2013, 12:08 AM GMTMy biggest problem, too! With me it's usually 'other life stuff' taking up too much mental space, but I fear I might just be a little too self-critical as well. I need to just get a rough draft written instead of getting hung up on every duff line and putting myself off writing altogether. Getting a bit too perfectionistic while only on the first draft has definitely held me back.
I seem to have this problem at present. I'm on the first draft of the second episode of a sitcom. I'm very happy with the 1st episode but I can't help drawing comparisons between the 1st and 2nd episodes.
'How many laughs had I up to page 12 on the 1st episode - lets go back and count and see if the 2nd matches up.
'Is it funny'?
'Am I focussing too much on the story and losing the humour as a result'?
I don't remember having these issues/thoughts when writing the first episode, it just seemed to flow. I really think I'm overthinking it.
No such thing as 'writers block'.
Only 'laziness', 'drunkenness',
'lack of talent' and 'impotence'.
And, in terms of delaying getting my writing done, I've only experienced 3 out the 4 of these.
I would tell you which one hasn't impeded me but I can't be arsed to continue.
Plus, I've got to get back to watching that porn film... (which always seems to mock me, what with my limp cock and its story I envy & couldn't write myself).
Put some lead in your pencil and start writing then Tim.
I was writing the biography of Chicken Little, but I got stuck,
turns out I had writers bock.
Quote: sootyj @ 30th December 2013, 10:38 PM GMTI was writing the biography of Chicken Little, but I got stock,
Nice.
Hey @SlagA that's great advise, particularly on #5 autowrite. I gotta go try that. 