Mar
The Absence of Words
One of the most difficult things for a writer to face must be when the words simply will not come. There is nothing you’d rather do than write… but the words simply are not there. What do you do? Do you place an ad in the classifieds ‘Romance Writer looking for great Words’? Probably not.
I’ve had a lot of personal things going on the past few months - things I won’t go into detail about here since I’m not looking for people to feel sorry for me 
- and it has left me unable to write. I feel like I’m bursting with the need to write, but the outlet has been taken away. It’s not writer’s block, that I can work through. If you’ve had writer’s block you know that if you just sit down in that chair and force yourself to type.. the words will come out. They might feel like they’re crap, but they’re words on paper and that’s all that really matters.
Has anyone else had problems with being unable to do something they love? Be it doing sports, walking to a friend’s house, writing, sketching or anything. How did you get through the time until you were able to do it again?
As a side note, I’m cheering myself up with getting a puppy. I get to see him for the first time on Sunday even if I can’t take him home until May. Does anyone want to contribute with any ideas for names?
Emily, I had that same thing happen to me two years ago. That’s when I got myself a private account on LiveJournal and started journaling. While, it didn’t matter what I wrote, I did make it a point to write for at least 15 minutes at the same time every day.
At first, what I did was comment on a piece of news I read that day. This got me used to voicing my opinions in writing, but it took the pressure off from having to come up with something from my life and write about it. In fact, I still do this.
Then I moved into using the piece of news as a jumping off point to some tangential event in my life, in the lives of the people I know, or from history. I added color, emotion, movement, settings, etc. Thus, what was originally fact was moving slowly into fiction. And so on.
The main thing is to not pressure yourself into writing on something you don’t feel like writing or writing in a particular way. What you do want to ensure though is that you always set aside time every day, preferably at the same time, to write.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pmThat’s deep, Keira. I like that idea. Emily, can you read? There’s been some great books out lately. Without writing, suddenly you might have a lot of time to catch up! And as for the puppy? I don’t know! I think the best names are made-up names. My dog’s name is Pichu.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:34 pmFirst let me give you a big hug, Emily (((hugs))) I feel for you. I have been unable to write the way I want to - nothing to do with writing crap, that is a given until I get to the revision stages, lol. Between family things, the daytime gig, getting sick, weird weather, you name it, paying $3.49 a gallon for gas, I have to keep reminding myself why I want to write: because I have to. There have been many, many times since January when I’ve said, “ok, I quit” only to get up the next day and say instead, “I can’t quit, if I don’t write, I’ll be unhappy.”
My advice - much like Keira’s- is to journal, write 250 words a day, ramblings, thoughts, free write. You have a wonderful blog, btw I just read your last entry. Try to blog at least once a week - says the one who has yet to update her own blog…
Anyhoo, in addition, I’ve been reading other author’s books on writing. Bird by Bird Some Instructions On Writing and life by Anne Lamont and On Wrtiing by Stephen King. Both of those books are and have been on my nightstand for a while now. When I feel like I can’t write or don’t want to write I pick a random chapter and then I feel like I can do write anything. Another one is Writing Down The Bones: Freeing The Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg which I don’t have - yet- and has been highly recommended.
Tell us about your new puppy? What breed is he?
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 pmKind of OT. Thanks, Keira for your kind words the other day. My relative is finally home and it looks like she’ll get better. Now I just need to get some sleep this weekend - oh never mind! I have a chapter meeting this Saturday bright and early. Thank heavens for books, thank heavens for writers and thank heavens for women like you.
I hope you’re feeling better now.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:28 pmEmily, I felt much that same way after some stressful events took place a few years back. I was deathly ill for several months. To take my mind off the pain, I wrote. Well then I lost everything to a virus and that made me sink into a huge depression.
Later after I got better, I found it hard to find my motivation and the words to put on the page. They just wouldn’t come! I knew the story, I knew the characters but I’d sit there and nothing.
I can’t honestly say what shook me from that feeling but I finally broke the cycle and began writing. I think it was more like what Isabel said. I thought if giving up all the time only to counter with, NO WAY!
Take some time off, even if it’s several months. Do as Keira said, do a journal on random things. Just do what feels right for you. You’re the only person who can break lose, even if you don’t know how.
As for the puppy, you’ve gotta share info! What breed is he? Coloring (since you saw him today..well now yesterday)? If all else, wait and let him name himself. Personally, I favor human names, since animals tend to become members of the family.
I wish you luck!
OT: Isabel, that is such wonderful news! I hope you get some rest this weekend and maybe your chapter meeting will inspire you to write. Sweetie, you need a vacation!
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:24 amThanks, guys
And the dog is a mixed breed; English Springer Spaniel and Spanish Waterdog (or properly; Perro de Agua Espanol). He’s turning three weeks old today (Friday) and on Sunday I’m going to see him for the first time (only seen photos so far).
I’m leaning towards naming him Bailey
Once I have him I will post photos (lots and lots most likely!) on my personal blog
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:08 amEmily, I seem to be on a delay of one day for RI posts lately!
Bu YES! I haven’t wrote anything since October and it’s very hard bc I have note cards in every available place in my house when something does come to me, so I can get back to it when I can write again.
English Springer Spaniel and Spanish Waterdog … AWE!!!! I also LOVE love LOVE the name Bailey! Basil came to mind as well.. I know a very good dog name Basil. lol.
March 23rd, 2007 at 7:07 amOh he sounds cute, Emily, yes, you have to tell us when you post pictures of him. Bailey is such a good name, Laura, I like Basil too! Maybe I need to get another cat…
March 23rd, 2007 at 8:49 amIsabel, Jaggers would kill you! She’s use to being the queen of the house hehe.
I like Bailey, it’s my step-daughters name, but I really like it!
Basil is too cute as well.
And I ditto everyone else, you’ll have to let us know when you post photos.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:26 pm