Unblocking Writers

By Roger Colins

__________________________________________________________ Even though there are thousands of similar posts all over the internet, not to mention book groups and study sessions throughout history, what the hell, let's see if I can't do better. This is not about how to write; characterization, presentation, style, storytelling, colour, atmosphere nor scheduling, rules, grammar, marketing or publication. They can all swing if the writer is banging their head instead of the keyboard. This post addresses two or three specific examples of writer's block with practicable insights about how to overcome them. Fear is the overruling element all writers face when unable to put down the next line. Bearing our very soul to someone else would be fine if we didn't have that nagging ego telling us the audience will think it's bullshit. Notice, I said ego. It's the me and the I that attributes this definition to our work. From another perspective, our work is nothing more nor less than the net accumulation of everyone else we've been in contact with since birth. None of them think they're bullshit so tell your ego to shut up. Will they 'Get It'? Journalists don't have the luxury of fear but they do have the luxury of facts. They say it how they see it. If they don't, their editor will smack them over the head. Professors are seen as snooty, pompous, tweed wearing bigots and they usually are, but for good reason. A thesis thumped on their table has to comply to a ream of criteria just as long. Should the thesis fall short when compared to the criteria, that thousand hours of work goes back to it's creator for another thousand, or worse. What criteria is considered? The criteria is there to serve one purpose, the same purpose the professor is there and both, are after one thing. The child's eye. A writer can attack any subject matter under the Sun but it has to make sense. It has to be cohesive, fluid, logical. Subject matter happens to be the last thing anyone is interested in, even though it's supposed to be the first. Scrawling off the most insane, diabolical concoction of fantasy imaginable is not only quite acceptable but actively encouraged, provided it makes sense. Both professor and criteria are there with accumulated experience from all history to help the student achieve this, one, thing. The Up Side Practice persistence. Upon encountering a scene, sentence or paragraph that just doesn't seem to fit together, trust that there's a good reason why. It's a tell-tale sign you've found something pretty damn awesome. When the words flow and your fingers numb, six months down the line you'll be cutting it all clean off the page. When the words start sticking and cohesive structure has taken leave, you can be sure you've tripped on something special. The normal process simply isn't good enough any more. Instead of dictating your script, your script has begun dictating you with demands that you up your game. Deliberately writing that bit which you know is rubbish will enforce a method of deduction. Getting rid of everything that doesn't work leaves the only thing that will. Before hitting delete, carry on. Even if the following words are 'this is shit, I can't fucking write, it's bollocks because...' Once you hit upon 'because' the block will write itself free and, deliver unexpected brilliance. Scout's honour. Notes and Prose Editing on the fly. Removing the joy of editing is by far the hardest thing for a writer to do. We all love a turn of phrase that is poignant, sharp, witty, cutting and spontaneous. This is what we live for! Unfortunately we have to finish. In order to get to the end and achieve immortality, writers have to sacrifice that one thing we hold so dear.  Are you making too many notes? The same goes for note taking. Getting out of these habits is shockingly painful but all that need be done is put them firmly in their place. Notes should come before each draft. Editing comes after each draft and writing, is drafting. Do this and a transference will take place. Editing will become the writer's most hateful task and drafting, the most beloved. Time's a Wasting Literature is sheer freedom. Just like a ship all of your very own, you can travel anywhere so forget the audience, damn the critics and write for yourself, to yourself. When you come back to that old manuscript in ten years time, you won't remember having written a word of it but you should be able to understand what this phantom was talking about. Dig out something you wrote ten years ago and have a look. You might be surprised how far you've come and get an idea of how far you've yet to go.

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