Writerly Ways
Jun. 20th, 2010 09:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessParalysis.
i think that's a better term than 'writer's block,' more all encompassing. To me a block is when you want to write but the words aren't flowing. Paralysis is more insidious and can come in many forms from many things. You've sent your novel out and have so many rejections, you feel like you don't deserve to try. You've joined a critique group and have so many conflicting opinions you don't know which way to turn. You get professional advice which reminds you not all pros know what they're doing. You just read your idea on the library shelf and it's nowhere near as good/is so much better that you lose hope.
I think every writer feels this paralysis as some point. Sometimes it can knock you down for a long time. A combination of them has kept me from a) finishing several things b) never sending Mach. Moon out any more. it's taking me a long time to get myself moving again. I've manage to do so much grunt work on this one to let it die now. Done query letter contests, synopsis writing contests, actual put your novel into it contest and that last one, with complete strangers reading it, I was surprised and pleased they liked it but it wasn't quite enough to get out of the paralysis.
I'm not sure there is a cure all for this. I find ranting in my journal and talking to friends on IM/Email helps me get it out there.Even if i don't take all or any of their advice, I find talking it out helps my brain to twist the problem around until I find a solution for it.
What has worked for you all in the past?
Machaivelli Moon - no revision but feel like I've shaken off the shroud on this.It's going back to 1995 to the Deadwood I knew
38535 / 175000 words. 22% done! half way thru the year less than a quarter the way thru my yearly goal for original writing. this sucks
Splinters of Silver and Cold Iron. I better get working on a new chapter or I'll have nada for the writers group.
75877 / 80000 words. 95% done!
Riding with Strangers I should have something for the Ofilter soon
34794 / 60000 words. 58% done!
Beneath the Torn Sky - this one is moving again however slowly
57373 / 75000 words. 76% done!
Masquerade -
877 / 2500 words. 35% done!
i think that's a better term than 'writer's block,' more all encompassing. To me a block is when you want to write but the words aren't flowing. Paralysis is more insidious and can come in many forms from many things. You've sent your novel out and have so many rejections, you feel like you don't deserve to try. You've joined a critique group and have so many conflicting opinions you don't know which way to turn. You get professional advice which reminds you not all pros know what they're doing. You just read your idea on the library shelf and it's nowhere near as good/is so much better that you lose hope.
I think every writer feels this paralysis as some point. Sometimes it can knock you down for a long time. A combination of them has kept me from a) finishing several things b) never sending Mach. Moon out any more. it's taking me a long time to get myself moving again. I've manage to do so much grunt work on this one to let it die now. Done query letter contests, synopsis writing contests, actual put your novel into it contest and that last one, with complete strangers reading it, I was surprised and pleased they liked it but it wasn't quite enough to get out of the paralysis.
I'm not sure there is a cure all for this. I find ranting in my journal and talking to friends on IM/Email helps me get it out there.Even if i don't take all or any of their advice, I find talking it out helps my brain to twist the problem around until I find a solution for it.
What has worked for you all in the past?
Machaivelli Moon - no revision but feel like I've shaken off the shroud on this.It's going back to 1995 to the Deadwood I knew
Splinters of Silver and Cold Iron. I better get working on a new chapter or I'll have nada for the writers group.
Riding with Strangers I should have something for the Ofilter soon
Beneath the Torn Sky - this one is moving again however slowly
Masquerade -
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