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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10736-The-Dreaded-Writers-Block.html
Action/Adventure: May 05, 2021 Issue [#10736]




 This week: The Dreaded Writer's Block
  Edited by: NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Writer's block happens to the best of us. But now what?

This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter is all about getting back into writing.

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Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

It’s happening again. That thing that many of us dread and few of us manage to evade forever – the writer’s block.

I have experienced it on and off. Sometimes it only lasts for a few days, or weeks, but at its worst I struggle to put pen to paper, or pixels on a blank document for months and even years. I’m going through one of those lengthy spells now.

There are as many reasons why someone no longer feels inspired to write as there are people. Probably more. It is very likely that a global pandemic hasn’t helped. Nor has it helped that over the last couple of years several people I have loved have passed away. As we speak, one of my uncles is fighting for his life in an ICU in the Netherlands. Sadly, the doctors are running out of treatment options. Difficult decisions may have to be made the coming days.

Lockdowns have encouraged many people to get creative in one way or another. Some have discovered new hobbies, whilst others have found a renewed joy in projects long abandoned. It is like the old saying – every cloud has a silver lining. For others, however, it has had the opposite effect. I guess that I am one of them.

That doesn’t mean that I won’t write again. As I mentioned above, I am no stranger to the writer's block. I am of the firm opinion that if you are a writer, you’re a writer for life. There may be times when you cannot write for one reason or another, but that doesn’t mean that that’s the end of it. Inspiration will strike again.

If you, too, are experiencing a block, here are some tips that may help you:

*Bullet* Some people find it helpful to sit down and write something, anything each and every day. They set themselves a target of x amount of words and no matter how they feel, no matter if they feel inspired or not, they are determined to reach it. This kind of discipline can be difficult to achieve, but amongst those words they sooner or later find something that sparks off a bigger project to pursue. It is a strategy that does not work for me – I am not at all disciplined enough - but it may well work for you.

*Bullet* What I find helpful is to lower my expectations. This, too, is difficult, as I can be a bit of a perfectionist. I have had writer's blocks because of that perfectionism, which created a fear of not living up to certain standards. It stopped me from experiencing any and all joy in my writing, and that joy is what matters, isn’t it? I had to remind myself firmly that it doesn’t matter if what I write is not perfect. That not even the best author in the history of authors would have created perfect pieces all the time, and especially not on the first attempt. Being realistic, I am not the best author in the world anyway, so why make it this difficult for myself? I can write stuff and see what happens. If it has potential, I can edit and improve it. I do not have to share it with anyone if I don’t want to. Having an audience is great, and helpful, too, but in the end I write for the love of it, rather than for anyone else.

*Bullet* Likewise, it is good to read the works of authors we admire. We can learn a lot from other writers. We can pick up on and try new forms and new techniques. You never know where this acquired knowledge will lead you. The trouble comes when you compare your work to theirs and feel discouraged. If you worry that you’ll never be as good as those authors. What I wrote in the paragraph above applies here, too: enjoy what you do. That is what matters. Each and every author has a different style, has different strengths and different weaknesses and that’s okay. There will be people who love what you do. Most importantly, you love what you do. Don’t give up on that.

I have had people criticise my work because it’s not artsy enough. I have had authors believe that they’re so much better than me, because the subjects I write about aren’t always serious, and I like the light and fluffy as well as the dark. Again, this does not matter. We can learn from constructive criticism, sure, but we need to always keep in mind that tastes differ and the opinion of this person or that person is hardly the be-all and end-all of valuable advice. Don’t change your work to please others. You will learn and grow in your own way and at your own pace.

If you’re ready to write again, but you are not certain where to start, why not look around the various contests on this site and see if any of the prompts give you that creative spark? Don’t feel daunted – you don’t have to enter if you don’t feel ready. You’ll know when it’s time to upload something new to your portfolio. And that new items or not, this community is always ready to cheer you on.

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Editor's Picks

Some contests to inspire you:

FORUM
No Dialogue Contest-CLOSED Open in new Window. (E)
Write a story containing no dialogue, in 700 words or less.
#2079495 by QPdoll is Grateful Author IconMail Icon


Daily Flash Fiction Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
Enter your story of 300 words or less.
#896794 by Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
SENIOR CENTER FORUM Open in new Window. (ASR)
The Place for Seniors!
#427318 by NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2244409 by Not Available.


FORUM
The Contest Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
Join by entering a contest a month for 12 months--Win Badges! Catching up is allowed!
#2109126 by Schnujo's Doing NaNoWriMo? Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Prompt Me Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
Weekly winners will have a chance to win the monthly MB give-away!
#2000519 by Cubby Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Poetic Traditions Poetry Contest  Open in new Window. (E)
A Contest for Metrical Rhyming Poetry.
#2055137 by Brenpoet Author IconMail Icon


And don't forget:

SURVEY
What a Character! : Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Create a memorable character using the given prompt for huge prizes!
#1679316 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon



 
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Ask & Answer

The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! *Smile*

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team


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