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[Mysteria]

We all get this from time to time so why not share your tips for getting over writers' block?
Lets see if we can't get a really nice list together that is helpful to everyone

My tip: Take a piece of scrap paper and start writing whatever comes to your head for 5 minutes straight... without stopping. At the end of the five minutes, review what you wrote and see if you can use anything for a new poem or story.

Your turn  :green:

[SeethingSong]

That's usually what I do, but sometimes I write about the writer's block, like how mad it makes me or such lol.

[support]

Use Images: A picture is worth a thousand words so why not pull out one of your old photos or find a picture on the web and start putting some of those words on paper.

Dictionary: Pull out your dusty dictionary and choose 10 - 15 words to include in your poem. Make sure you use all the words you select... and no cheating.

Writing Exercises: Writing Challenges and games can be really helpful for writers block. Try participating in (or starting your own) add-line game or 4-word challenges. You'd be amazed at how these types of exercises can get your creative juices flowing!

[TheSadist]

Here's what I've done;
Pick a subject, either in the room or in your head, and just start writing. Write a description, write a poem, write a magazine article about how much you hate it. But write about it.

[Dark_Death]

i just write about how i feel.

[gibby]

writers-block for me is emotional deadlock so i try to bring out all those feelings by say trying to remember an ugly break-up or an amazing soccer game or whatever gets you to feel again ...

[Stargazer]

I wait until my head arrives at the unblocked depot. That's usually during insomnia, car rides, and anger. I try to never be without paper and pen, even if I have to scribble in the dark. Some of my best things are written when I am at a high land altitude. Maybe it's a special layer of invention, or inspiration ?

[mjac1982]

I tend to find that writers block comes when you are in the wrong place for writing i.e. when you arent feeling good for writing and there are distractions which disrupt concentration and imagination flow. Its important to find the best place and time to write. I find isolation in a place free of disruptive images, clutter and noise is essential. I also find that night time is usually more productive than day time. For me its essential not to create restrictions to my writing as this can lead to mighty blockages. Concentrating too much on rhythm, style and length only creates unnecessary hurdles that your imagination has to jump over so sometimes its best to just let your pen do the writing. The writing which I enjoy the most is those magic 30 minute bursts which after you cant really recall because you didnt place any restrictions on your flow.

[jermanda23]

Strange, but I can think more clearly when there is background noise, like a TV or radio, than I do in complete silence, which I can't stand. Also strange but works for me, watching some of my favorite childhood movies (like Disney stuff from when I was a kid or Wizard of Oz) brings back the childhood imagination. Plus I get to relive my carefree days as a kid!

[Mysteria]

Good tip about watching childhood favorite movies... that always brings me back to a good place!

[Dark_Death]

me.... i just listen to music.. that brings back memories....

and the writers bock thing, i usually don't get it.. i'm a lucky one.. i only get it, like when i'm writing my HUGE 8 volume story called Bloodlust, then i get writers block because it is just so HUGE

[Galahadcj]

Writer's Block!!!--LOL--I have been writing at least one poem every day for 4 1/2 years--Rarely, some days, I do not write at all because there is NOTHING there to write of...no inspiration, no ideas...no nutin!!!!--I do not worry because I knows the poetry is inside of me and it will come out...eventually--It's gotta come out because if it stays inside of me I think that can make me sick....I think!!!!--So it DOES come out...in its own time--Then when it DOES start to come out, again, I will write several poems at a time (to make up fer the days I wrote none)--When things start flowing again, I have written 10-20 poems in that one week!!!--         SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!!--SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!!--
   But I have never gone for more than three days without writing something--If nothing else I write about writer's block as since I have it, why not write about it?--LOL--
   Other methods that work for me to break the spell of writer's block is for me to randomly pick 3, 4 or 5 words and then to write a poem around them--THAT ALWAYS WORKS!!!!...as the only thing I lack to write is inspiration...those random words become MY INSPIRATION!!!
   I always ignore WRITER'S BLOCK...for at least three days...then steps must be taken to cure it!!!!--I hope that my methods can help some of you--Give it a try...you got nutin ta lose!!!--Happy writing, my friends--Cliff...galahadcj

[Dark_Death]

nowadays, i seem to have more and more cases of writers block.. must be coming with my age... even though i'm still a teen ... but like you, cliff, i've noticed that i have begun to put off something for days or even weeks and months at a time.. i have a huge binder of "writers blocks".... oh what has become of those days where i can just look at a rhyme and turn it into a parody in seconds without any hesitation? oh well...... maybe i've used up all of my creative "juices".... i need coffee..... -_-*

[ThePinkBookworm]

Well, one of my tips is to get a drink or some food.  Yes, I know that you are running a risk of becoming distracted, but just getting a drink of coco or a piece of food.

Here is a link to Top 10 Tips for writer's block that has other great tips on it for your reference.  Enjoy!
http://www.squidoo.com/top10tipsforwritersblock

 

[atomiccolm]

I had the same problem only the other day,,, my tip is to write a poem about Writers Block:)

Like this...

Writers Block

I’m sitting staring at a page, it’s been blank for quite some time
And in me builds a quiet rage, as I search to find a rhyme
I’m looking around for anything, that will give me inspiration
But the coffee cup, and the stack of books
Provide no real motivation

So I’m writing this about my task, my search for some creation
It doesn’t seem like a lot to ask, but it’s beginning to try my patience
I suppose we all get writer’s block, when words just don’t come freely
I’m usually solid as a rock, but today it’s not that easy

So I’m writing now whatever just pops into my head
This poem will be my lame duck and in truth should not be read
But then again, if this deters me, I won’t get very far
And if words continue to fail me, I’m going to hit the bar

That last verse was just awful, my brain is in a bind
A stanza filled with stupid words, it won’t excite your mind
I hope this isn’t permanent, this puncture in my tyre
For if the air keeps seeping out, this poem’s fit for the fire

I need a muse or something, who can pull me from this hole
There must be something they can bring
To help me reach my goal.

It could be beauty, could be brains,
That gives me inspiration
But it better come now really quick, this tyre’s close to deflation

In fact I heard its final cry only a moment’s past
This verse should be the swansong as this poem’s not built to last.
It isn’t going anywhere but at least it’s cured sedation
It seems it's like a wingless bird, no means of elevation.

I better go and do something to ease this grating feeling
Otherwise I’ll just have to sit here staring at the ceiling
But then again, I have just spent an hour at this juncture
And all that I’ve come up with is that my tyre has a puncture:(

It seems a silly metaphor but is one that still rings true.
So still I sit and write this shit, sure I’ve nothing else to do
I could also compare it to a car that’s losing oil
As the journey splutters onwards, it becomes more of a toil

I’m sure you all have had this issue that occurs from time to time
But cry not into your tissue for it won’t help you a dime
Instead just make up crazy stuff, warped as it may be
I tell you this, not in regret for it seems to work for me!!

[MaryAndLamb]

Absolutely Brilliant!

[JoanDZombie]

I have never thought of that! I will try it one day! Ya I think I need more entries...I used to do this starting in fourth grade! I stopped when I was in 8th grade because all I could think of was profanity...maybe I will justy think of anything that comes to mind even if it is profanity! Ha Ha! ok gotta go..See ya!
love always
Joan

[EuropeanSon]

Ah that's awesome!
Every time my writers block gives me a particularly hard time, I always turn to simply writing about it! I didn't know anyone else did that. That's so cool! X3

Tip 1: Something else I find that works is just looking from a different point of view. For example: you see a bare tree with some snow on it... what is remarkable about that tree? The snow? how does the snow make it look? Does it look older? Why does it look older? Maybe because it is bald with sparse white like an old person...
Just think like a child! =]

Tip 2: Another thing I do is look to a poet I really admire... plot out the basic form of one of their poems and then write my own! For example: Say your poet has a poem with 3 stanzas of five lines, ten syllables in each, iambic pentameter, and a rhyme scheme like so-
A,b,b,A,c ; b,A,a,b,d, ; A,c,d,b,A,

(poor example, whatever lol)
Just pretty much, break down a poem to the bare essentials and go from there!

Tip 3: Or try working on just -one- poetical tool! For example : personification! Think of a feeling, an emotion, a sensation... and personify that! Don't concentrate on how "good" the poem is, you can work on that later~

*I hope some of these can help someone! I hate having writers block! =/

[Chaosmancer]

One thing I try is moving on to another story (or piece for all you poets all over this site), and just put what has me stuck on a back burner in my mind. Then I occasionally go back until I continue writing it. It's not the best solution but eventually you're struck with inspiration. Listening to music or watching TV could help sometimes too, that's how I started writing seriously so why can't it help get past the tough parts.

[bianca]

All great tips! I'm gonna sticky this topic