Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Stuck in a writing rut?

Don't lie... it happens to everyone. We get stuck in a rut when it comes to writing at times. You know that feeling where you desperately want to produce genius work but you can't even write one sentence down? I figured why don't we combat it before it even pops up!!!

So here are some ideas to prevent writers block, or if you are currently stuck in a writing rut here are some ideas to snap out of it!

1. Take a bubble bath (my personal fav)

2. Read blogs (though at times this becomes an addiction so be careful!)

3. Meetup with friends or find a new meetup group of writers (meetup.com)

4. Visit your local library!

5. Visit a park or a museum.

6. Take a dip in your pool (if the weather permits)

7. Create a map of fantasy world you'd love to live in!

8. Braindump all of your “to dos” onto a piece of paper to clear your mind.

9. Dance

10. Or everyon'e favorite: You Tube

I only gave you 10 ideas but we all know there are a ton of ideas to get you out of your awful case of writer's block, so if you have any ideas please feel free to share, or by all means share which one of these works for you!

BTW - I'm sure you've noticed my newest layout... I was trying to be creative and super fancy with 3 columns but when I realized I wasn't gifted enough to be fancy I gave up and ended up with this! Hope you like it!

I'm reaching to 500 followers and when I do be ready for the awesomeness! I'm planning on holding one heck of a contest, so if you want it to happen sooner be sure to tell your friends to get me to 500!!

Oh and I just signed up at goodreads.com so if you are already on goodreads please add me as your friend!!!! My books are listed on my sidebar!

44 comments:

Sarah Callejo said...

Thank Jen. In summary, your useful suggestions say "Relax". Although, as you say, blog-travelling is so addictive.
And I like your new layout. It looks great.

Matthew MacNish said...

New layout? I like it.

Great ideas Jen, so much fun!

Kristi Faith said...

Lately...going for a drive has helped me too, opens up the mind when you see some new surroundings-even if it's only a few miles away. :0)

Love this post. It's so true that writers get stuck and so many new writers feel that if they don't have a zillion ideas they'll never make it. Not true!

Christine Danek said...

I always can use a few more pointers for writers block. Thanks! 500 Wow!
Love the new layout --very cheerful.
Already following you on Goodreads. :)

Unknown said...

Yes, it does happen to all of us. Thanks for the awesome tips to get over the hump.

I like the new look! Very summery and cheerful :)

Candyland said...

Love the layout and uhhh yeah-I'll take a bubble bath anytime!

DL Hammons said...

Brain dump. That sounds extremely messy!! :)

Summer Frey said...

I love drawing maps of my fantasy worlds! And it IS very inspiring.

Love the new layout! I've tried 3-column, but it feels too restrictive for me.

Anne Gallagher said...

Great post! Great new look! Great ideas. Great Great Great! My new word for the day.

Jaydee Morgan said...

Loving the new layout.

When I'm in a rut, I tend to switch between manuscripts. That or walking the dog is usually all I need to do to get the creative juices flowing again.

Jayne said...

Oh please can I live somewhere with number six!

The new layout looks lovely. :)

JE said...

Love the new template! Very pretty ;-)

You know, I don't really get a "block" like most people would. Insteand, in everyone of my wips, I fly through the first half...get stuck near the middle...but one I get over that hump, I generally fly through the end. But the middle, the middle always, always, always trips me up. Seriously, I've taken days, weeks, and a month off while working through a middle. Crazy.

Thanks for the suggestions!

~JD

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Aww you left out my favorite one-- napping! I can't tell you how many times I've worked out issues through napping. And now I'm going to send you a friend request on Goodreads :)

Christine Fonseca said...

Looks great Jen!

Joanne said...

I find that walking helps work out ideas. It removes me from the immediacy of the work as I consider things beneath the sunshine, among nature!

A said...

I like the layout (to be honest, I prefer 2 columns. 3 columns=clutter).

Jennifer Shirk said...

Love your new look!

Laura Pauling said...

I like the new look! Very uplifting!

Crystal Cook said...

Such great tips! I can always use help there :)

500!!!! Woo hoo!! You're awesome you know? Truly you are, just the awesomest.

I think I'm going to try to draw a map of my world, too cool:)

Crystal Cook said...

And I forgot to say that I like your new layout, a lot!

Laura S. said...

Great tips! Also, prompts are good for getting yourself out of a writing rut. I think you know this, but I post writing exercises and prompts every Wednesday on my blog!

I love the new layout, Jen! It's very summery!

Vicki Rocho said...

email and blogs are my time wasters.

Like the butterflies! Very happy and spring-like

Renae said...

I have gotten so bad about blogging! I spend more time reading blogs and have to make myself sit down and write!

Jessica Bell said...

Love your new layout! :) Oh, and, shouldn't number 6 be: Take a dip in your pool (if you have one). If I had a pool I wouldn't care what the weather was like! Srivelled penises and pointy nipples galore! Whoo-hoo! ;)

Anonymous said...

Love your new layout! Very peaceful and pretty. :)

Those are great advice (although reading blogs has become an addiction for me, which makes writing more difficult!).

For me, looking at pretty arts can be a great inspiration as well. Whenever I see a great piece of art, I always think, "I wonder if I could capture that in words." But that might just be the dual artist-writer in me talking.

Talli Roland said...

Love the new lay-out! Very pretty.

I am a big fan of the bubble-bath option. And glass of wine with the bubbles doesn't hurt either!

Patti said...

In my world, having a bath solves everything.

Lindsay said...

The new layout is so pretty Jen.

I love a good bubble bath too. :)

Portia said...

Great list! I'm particularly fond of bubble baths. I love the new layout. So pretty and spring-like.

Karen Roderick said...

Reading blogs is also a fav of mine, as is going to a cafe and just staring out the window - a bit of people watching does wonders for writers block x

Alissa Grosso said...

The blog looks very pretty, and as for getting out of a rut, one thing that works is to take a break and watch a really good movie.

Carolyn V. said...

500 followers? Sweet!

I hate getting into a rut. Sometimes I just need to hang out with other writers to get back into the mood.

Your blog looks awesome btw! =D

Ann said...

Love your ten step plan! My favorite is the bubble bath, which I am headed for right this minute.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!! I love your new layout. So colorful, and happy! haha.
The ten step tip is much needed.
Thanks!



LOVE!

Southpaw said...

I love blog hopping! Love the new look too. Blogger gets a little tricky with the fancy stuff so you did a great job!

Shelley Sly said...

Congrats on almost 500 followers! Wow!

One (strange) thing I do to combat writer's block is to look at pictures of people (either models or just random pictures I can find on the internet) and imagine who the person might be. Usually I end up with a story.

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

Well, I went to the library this afternoon... and while it was very relaxing and wonderful, I still haven't written anything.

However, it did spark a plot-ish idea, so all hope is not lost!

*heading to goodreads to befriend you*

Moll said...

I also like:

Timed writing.

Playing with a pet.

Reading a great, great book.

Eva said...

Writers block... just thinking about it makes me cringe. I hate it when I have a million ideas I want to get out and I can't even start a sentence. Usually when it happens to me I listen to lots and lots of music. It inspires me.

Oh, and I'm guilty of getting addicted to blog reading when it hits too :)

Jen said...

these are really great ideas. Cooking and doing dishes always makes me creative for some reason.

The Urban Cowboy said...

Wow 500, I think I have like 5. Great ideas. What really works for me, in the creative and relaxed sense, is a quick dive(scuba). I don't know what it is, it could be in a lake or a pond, after every dive I am at my best.

Margo Berendsen said...

the braindump and the map are great ideas! unfortunately some of these other ideas only help me prolong my writer's rut (especially the reading blogs one!)

My biggest help is going to a local coffee house. somehow the atmosphere there gets me going again

Jenny said...

I keep a warboard of ideas and words in my office. I can almost always get inspiration from that.

And I write every day. Even if it is nonsense.

I load up Dr. Wicked and write a certain amount of words. If I don't do this my day isn't right...like I missed my walk or forgot to eat lunch.

Great tips!

Sara Louise said...

Writing a 'to do' list to clear the brain is a great idea!