A Quote to Invite . . .
. . . a fight. Perhaps.
In fact, when I found this quote, by one of my favorite writers, I laughed out loud. And I realized, amongst my writer-pals, that we are probably going to fall into one of two camps. One that believes in it . . . and one that doesn't. Ready?
There's no such thing as writer's block. That was invented by people in California who couldn't write.
Terry Pratchett
I love it.
Not the least of the reasons why I love it is he and Neil Gaiman wrote one of my top-ten favorite books--Good Omens. No, I like it because I have to be honest, I've never had writer's block. But I have had months when all I wrote was crap.
There's a difference. I've had weeks where my output was so minimal, and most of it got deleted. I've had weeks when I felt pretty stuck. But those weeks I often worked the hardest--going off alone and trying to figure out how I was going to write myself out of the mess I was in.
But I've never been at a loss for what to write. Blocked. Unable to write.
I've had Demon Baby Weeks from Hell, and weeks on the Infectious Disease Ward. Last week? ZERO output. And oh yes, I have the stomach flu today. Caught from daughter. That sound you hear? Don't even ask. Yesterday was not fun. Today promises to be no better--I may be years from childhood, but I still hate throwing up as if I was four years old. HATE it. But I digress. Demon Baby Weeks and throwing up . . . that entire month with child number two lost to morning sickness . . . that's not writer's block.
So no, I've never had it. It makes, I have to say, for dramatic scenes of writers when they are depicted in the MOVIES. But I've never had it. I've had a friend or two claim to have it. But does it exist?
So weigh in . . . I'll lift my glass of ginger ale here and try to keep from heaving as you do.
Cheers,
E
In fact, when I found this quote, by one of my favorite writers, I laughed out loud. And I realized, amongst my writer-pals, that we are probably going to fall into one of two camps. One that believes in it . . . and one that doesn't. Ready?
There's no such thing as writer's block. That was invented by people in California who couldn't write.
Terry Pratchett
I love it.
Not the least of the reasons why I love it is he and Neil Gaiman wrote one of my top-ten favorite books--Good Omens. No, I like it because I have to be honest, I've never had writer's block. But I have had months when all I wrote was crap.
There's a difference. I've had weeks where my output was so minimal, and most of it got deleted. I've had weeks when I felt pretty stuck. But those weeks I often worked the hardest--going off alone and trying to figure out how I was going to write myself out of the mess I was in.
But I've never been at a loss for what to write. Blocked. Unable to write.
I've had Demon Baby Weeks from Hell, and weeks on the Infectious Disease Ward. Last week? ZERO output. And oh yes, I have the stomach flu today. Caught from daughter. That sound you hear? Don't even ask. Yesterday was not fun. Today promises to be no better--I may be years from childhood, but I still hate throwing up as if I was four years old. HATE it. But I digress. Demon Baby Weeks and throwing up . . . that entire month with child number two lost to morning sickness . . . that's not writer's block.
So no, I've never had it. It makes, I have to say, for dramatic scenes of writers when they are depicted in the MOVIES. But I've never had it. I've had a friend or two claim to have it. But does it exist?
So weigh in . . . I'll lift my glass of ginger ale here and try to keep from heaving as you do.
Cheers,
E
Labels: writer's block
posted by Erica Orloff at 7:13 AM
27 Comments:
I've never had it either. I can always sit down, and the words will come to me. It's the worthiness of the words that is questionable. I can go weeks without writing something decent, but I never go weeks without writing.
It is funny... I've been to hell and back with issues of pain and suffering, mostly borne stoically, but give me the stomach flu, and I'll be curled up in the fetal position, moaning, wondering if I can possibly hang on for one more hour!
Some lactobacillus acidophilus pills from the health food store might help you feel better sooner.
Hi Smart:
Thanks . . . I'm big on lactobacillus acidophilus anyway because I have Crohn's disease, which, pathetically enough, is like having food poisoning and chronic arthritis 365 dats a year. :-(
And yes, you nailed it. It's the WORTHINESS of the words that comes into question. But as the adage goes, keep writing, because you can always fix crap.
E
I agree, Erica. No such thing.
You've seen some of the crap I've come up with at times. Some of it fixable, some not. But, the thing is, the wheels are always turning. Eventually, serviceable words, sentences, paragraphs, scenes, etc., will come.
The trick is to treat it as a profession (going back to whether writing is "real" work or not) and keep writing no matter what.
How many houses would ever get built if the subs started developing carpenter's block, plumber's block, electrician's block...? What if the guy who cuts your grass suddenly developed landscaper's block for a few weeks?
You'd probably get another guy.
Writers write. It's what we do. You have to crank out the words and work through it. If you don't, there's always another guy who will, and next year you'll see THAT guy living your dream.
Jude:
Really interesting take on it.
I think some of it goes to that movie thing I mentioned . . . writing attracts really creative types . . . some are alcholics, some hypochondriacs, some neurotics (like any profession, only maybe more so from my unofficial survey) . . . only we write about all that. A writer is more apt to discuss feeling like he can't write than the guy who wakes up and calls in sick for two days because he just can't bear the thought of selling another piece of aluminum siding. We give it a name. The carpenter may just call it something else. Still ennui, perhaps. Don't know.
Like I said, I don't get writer's block. I'm waiting to hear from some from that camp.
E
I don't believe in writer's block. I know if I'm stumbling, or it feels as if I'm blocked, it is only because I'm not asking myself, or my characters, the right questions. I need to look at the story at a new angle, dredge of some truth I haven't yet discovered.
Or, it could mean it's time to set that story aside, and pick up another. Which usually works as well. I have at least two projects going at once, if not three.
I love GOOD OMENS, too. Haven't read it for years. Maybe it's time to reread...
A writer is more apt to discuss feeling like he can't write than the guy who wakes up and calls in sick for two days because he just can't bear the thought of selling another piece of aluminum siding.
Well, motivation is a huge factor for sure. It's the difference between talking the talk and walking the walk. If your goal is to do your absolute best--at whatever job--you just get out there and do it. If your life sucks for one reason or another, you work on eliminating the suckage. Calling it "block" is just romanticizing the underlying causes of your dysfunction, IMHO.
P.S. Now I'll shut up and let the other camp talk. :)
I'll be interested to hear from someone who's had writer's block, too. I can always write something, although sometimes it's crap. But I can edit crap.
Usually, if I'm having a problem, it's because I'm headed off in the wrong direction with the story. I write from an outline so a lot of times that means that something worked in the outline stage but as the characters developed, it needed to be re-worked.
Erica, hope you feel better soon. Mint Tea is good for tummy ills too.
I find the whole idea so terrifying that I, too, have chosen not to believe. In fact, sometimes I think I write everyday because I'm afraid if I take a day off, one day I'll wake up and all ability to write will have just up and disappeared. That would be devastating!
So even though I'm struggling with spy novel, I'll work ahead on something else that feels easy.
Wow, Erica, you have really had a rough month of it. I'm praying that your family is just going through all the bugs now, so that you'll all be healthy for the holiday season and the rest of winter!
michele:
I set things aside, too. Sometimes I just need to give it a rest and not force it.
E
liz:
I never work from an outline--but if I feel stuck, I will whip one up so I at least feel like I know where I'm going with it.
E
Nope, afraid I can't offer anything from the 'blocked' camp. I've had story 'block' but that's usually because I've gone astray and leaving it for a few days makes the boo-boos jump out at me.
LOL on the 'construction block', Jude. We hired a woman with a beautiful, artistic portfolio to do a ceramic tile back splash in out kitchen. She hauled in all the tile, grout, tools, etc, completely took over my kitchen and dining area, did 1 of three walls and lost her 'creative vision'. Seriously, she showed up everyday for like 2 months, drank copious amounts of coffee, chain-smoked on my deck, staring through the patio door waiting for her 'muse' to return. I thought I'd lose my friggin' mind!
p.s hope your tummy feels better!
p.s 2, I do have a unique back splash!
spy:
This has been about the worst stint in my family ever. I am so over it, I cannot tell you. Oddly enough, it is 70 degrees here today (very unusual), so I have opened up the entire house--every window, wiped down with Clorox, and am hoping to chase the germs away for good!
E
lainey:
That is hysterical!!!!! Not funny while you had this woman camped out there, I'm sure.
But funny now.
You can put it in a book.
E
Too funny, Lainey!
Erica, you're going through a string of bad luck. The universe owes you some good karma now. I hope it comes soon.
I've never been blocked. Stuck, yes, and crappy writing, yes. When I'm stuck there's usually a reason for it. I've been forcing the characters down a wrong path, or maybe I'm writing a book that's not right for me. It's not fun, but I've had that happen.
Interesting subject. So funny about Lainey's designer.
edie:
I sure hope the universe complies.
E
I think block is the cop-out description for being stuck.
I get stuck all the time.
I also get Isuckitis, too.
But not writer's block. When I'm not writing, it's because I made that choice.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
If I get anything than even smells like writers block, it's because I don't know my characters well enough.
Yes, you can always fix crap.
Plumber's block? Get the plunger.
heather:
isuckitis. I may have a new blog post idea. LOL! That's great!
E
tena:
Really, really good point. When we're stuck, very often we have some chronic writing issue we're dealing with.
E
I'll jump in from the "other camp" and give it a whirl.
I can say that in the genre of fiction (ala the novel) I have not yet had a block... just times where the creativity had to be beaten savagely with a large club before it ponied up with some verbiage :)
In the poetry world I have often had spaces where nothing would come, no matter how hard I pushed. I truly feels like you have forgotten the key to putting together thoughts into a recognizable for that could possibly convey a thought or feeling.
I came away from those spaces with a feeling of confusion and annoyance. I know how to do this. I have done it before. But no matter how I tried the words would not form in a useful manner.
That is as close as I can come to explaining what I feel is 'writers block'.
As far as the quote: it is complete rubbish and as a Californian I take offense :)
Love GOOD OMENS! I can't remember how many times I have read it, but it is well into the double-digit arena.
ewoh:
I'm a double digit gal for that book, too. I will often take it with me to stressful appointments or things so that I know I will laugh while waiting.
As for the "block"--hmm, I can see, especially in poetry, how it can feel as if you are truly stuck. Honest to God, I've been thinking about returning to poetry, but that is one area where my internal editor tells me I have isuckitis, and I can't seem to turn it off (even though I've had stuff published, even though I genuinely LIKE some of my stuff . . . it's always SO personal).
E
the act of writing is as personal as you get. you put a part of yourself into every word, every character. poetry or prose, there is no difference. you can dress prose up to look like fiction, or scientific fact, but you are still putting yourself out there.
ewoh:
I guess for me, it's the process. I never, ever write poetry as anyone other than me. It's raw and very, very, very naked.
E
With poetry and fiction, I have to constantly remind myself to dance like nobody's watching. It's hard sometimes; but, I think powerful, heartfelt, genuine emotions keep readers coming back more than anything else.
Whenever I get stuck, my "plunger" (nod to Tena) is reading something great. Just a few pages usually flushes something out. :)
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