I'm not seriously concerned about having nothing to say today -- yesterday was a slow day, I'm not feeling well, and I'm just drawing a blank. I'll write tomorrow.

But have you ever experienced a long writing drought? Either in your journal, or in other writing that you do for work or pleasure? Those of you write for a living -- and I don't necessarily mean creatively or for publication -- how do you deal?

I've had terrible cases of writer's block in the middle of a brief, although it hasn't happened lately. In those cases the problem is almost always that I don't know as much about my topic as I need to know, or that my argument is so ludicrous that I can't get through it with a straight face.

Do you have tricks for getting past writer's block? Or do you just decide that you have nothing to say, and leave it at that?

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

Answers

At work, I get up, get water, wander the halls, finish my water, refill my water bottle, go get coffee, drink my coffee, pee like a house on fire, read forums, read emails, and then finally I convince myself that revising is so much better than actually having to write something from the start, so I type something, anything awful, in a speed of blinding light just to have something to edit. I pretend that that makes all the difference.

As for any of the stories I'm working on, I poke at them awhile, and then give it up and go do something that might inspire me creatively. Like watch a weird movie. Or have crazy sex.

As for journal entries, having nothing to say has never, never ever stopped me. Not for a minute.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

I go through writer's block with the journal on a fairly regular basis. I just lose the descriptive urge. When I was comitted to writing daily, I would just freewrite until something happened. Now that I'm not so obsessive about the journal, on days when the writing isn't happening, I just go do something else in life. At some point the desire to write returns, usually about 1.5 seconds after I declare an official hiatus.

Writers block at work - on deadline, for publication - is a different problem. To get over it, I write sketchy outlines of the structure then go back and fill in with the details. Might not end up with my best work, but at least I get it done. This is analytical writing btw, which makes it easier. Not sure that would work with fiction or essays.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

I don't have writer's block that often on the journal because I update so infrequently.

I've been blocked on creative fictional writing for two months. I just can't clear my head of work nonsense and nothing happens. Unfortunately I can't unblock myself so I have no words of wisdom.

Although you could write about me, how pretty I am, what a snappy dresser, it's amazing how I can continually abuse the rules of grammer and still consider myself an intelligent person, how I define histrionic personality, how it's all about me. How's that for inspiration?

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

For my site, I find not having to stick to a schedule helps - I write when I want to, not when I feel I 'have to' in order to please an audience. I could never be one of those 'write every day' people. I also make sure my site is fun for me, which means I don't spell check or edit, or do any of the less fun work of writing with its content.

For work, I think I get blocked when I start to feel that every word on the page has to be a carefully placed nugget of brilliance, and as a whole, the article must not only inform and be humourous, but must be the most brilliant piece of writing the English language has ever seen. So I remind myself that 500 words for Cosmo magazine isn't exactly Atwood quality, and get back to work.

Most of the people i have met (in real life) that have writer's block consistently have been people that haven't found their own system for working, and think writing is like it is in the movies - stay up late, drink a lot, smoke like a chimney, be all tortured and shite, and do everything at the last minute. There have been three or four of these in every writer's group I ever belonged to. They all claim to love the taste of absinthe. I hate them.

I think the trick to writer's block is just like it is for every other profession's block - keep working, work right through it. And sometimes, just take a break.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

Well, Kristin, I have to disagree with you on one point. I think accurate spelling is very important in every writing situation - witness the pristing perfection of my previous post. I always avoid alliteration as well.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

Viv and me need some Absinthe. Waiter!

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

I suppose I'm having writers block at work today. I've moved on to a new chunk of information, and I just can't seem to focus on it.

Of course, all this is whooey, as I have a huge pile of source material that doesn't suck. And it's sort of organized and usable.

I'm just not interested. I want to post on message boards and worry about the coworker who left a couple of hours ago because his wife was in a car accident.

I think you could call what I'm doing slacking.

Oh, and background? I'm a technical writer, and for the past year and a half, I've been writing CBT's. Very corporate and boring.

For my site, if I don't have anything to say, I don't. *That's no guarantee that the stuff I've said is _worth_ saying.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

Absinthe... it's not just for breakfast anymore.

But really, Kristin, don't you just love the taste?

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

The taste of absinthe? Ew.

I just don't worry about the journal. If I don't have anything to say, I leave it alone for a while. With the fiction, I get stuck a lot, mainly because I can't keep a regular schedule for writing because of my band.

I usually find that if I take a break and watch a movie, smoke some pot, drink a beer, I can get myself back on track and write more. Stopping for crazy sex, though, means I'm not getting back to the story that day.

Lately, though, I've found that my problem is the opposite of writer's block... plenty to say, and no time to write it. Maybe I should just work on my story at work, instead of spending all my time reading forums.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

Hey, Viv - I lost my black beret last weekend - can I borrow one of yours? I can't write a thing without wearing a black beret. Who could?

I will swap you a carton of Gauloise cigarettes and a half pound of brilliant angst for it.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

I imagine myself drinking a bottle of tequila then going to the county fair, walking through the 4H cow dung exhibits and then riding 'The Zipper'. Then I go to the bathroom, toss my head back, stick a slightly used cuticle brush down my throat and have myself a couple dry heaves for effect. After that, I have no problem churning out chunks of verbs and nouns. It's literal conceptualism. I don't recommend it to anyone with an IQ over 80.

Actually, I've never had a problem writing things. Of course I only wirte on message boards and don't take myself seriously and most of the stuff is silly. But there is one tip I can give. When your head feels like a constipated large intestine and no matter how hard you squeeze you only manage to get a stinky whiff of what you're sure could be brillant, write yourself a few short stories about something really off the wall - like superhuman vaginas. But, choose your heroine wisely. (Since the wrath of infuriated female hormones can make you cry, I suggest a completely fictional character.) Using this method, you'll open the floodgates to a whole new unclogged world. It's like Raisin Bran for your mind.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

Rudie... if you ever publish, you must let us know.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

When I'm writing an entry, I just write until something comes up. Actually, these days I just mutter out loud. Saves time.

In fiction I do something very similar: I write, and I write, and I write, until I have something to say. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but what I do is write about anything but the actual subject. I'll have my characters have a conversation I had last night. I'll write ridiculously on-the-nose dialogue. "My mother died." "I always had mixed feelings about your mother." "I know, it's done terrible things to our relationship." I mean, gross stuff. Eventually someone gets a snappy one-liner and then I get going.

For fiction it especially helps to write every day. Even if it's only one line, and even if you write one line every day for a week--it keeps you thinking about it, so that after ten one-line days I go back and delete half a page and write two.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

"Stopping for crazy sex, though, means I'm not getting back to the story that day."

You have no stamina, boy.

As for the writing every day that Jessie suggested - for fiction, it's absolutely true. Even if the output is not golden, even if you don't want to write, if you make yourself put something on the page, it'll keep you in writing mode. The discipline will also mean that it'll be easier and easier to write as time goes on. At least, that's been my personal experience.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

I pick up my copy of _A Writer's Home Companion_ and randomly read selections from it. It is an anthology of writer's on writing, and I find that it helps to connect me to some sort of mystical guild of writers.

That sounds silly, but that feeling helps me push on.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

Jen - Hey! Shuddup.

Jessie - That's what I've been trying to do lately, too, write a line or two a night, if that's all I can get done. It gets a little weird, because most nights I barely have enough time to get an idea down, then I have to split. But it is helpful with the keeping me focused.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

The writing every day thing doesn't work for me, though it does work for many. I write in spurts, when I have the time or how I want to say it syncs up with what I want to say. When it's not working at all and the time is there, I'll use the time to jot notes, random ideas, muse about life or whatever just to have utilized that desire. But on the days when it's just not working -- there's no time, the well is totally dry, I find other things to do. Fun -- whether it's just getting something done, lunch / movie with friends, reading a good book -- almost always inspires me and I find I cannot wait to get back to writing.

I think you really have to accept your own rhythm (hush, rudie), like dancing or sex and go with it. If every day works, then great. If not, work with it. I don't mean that I can just drift all over the place and not write anything and then be surprised when I have nothing to show for it. Like Kristin mentioned above, I'll write in spurts, but I do have very specific writing goals and I'm used to deadlines for finishing, so even though I may not write daily, I do seem to write consistently.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2001

often times I get "designer's block" which sounds familiar to writer's block. it usually happens when I am tired or not interested in the subject. I work in an ad agency, and things move at the speed of light. it's hard when people are hovering and you just can't seem to get anything working.

I work on a computer, and sometimes I feel like I'm just "moving food around on my plate." it helps me to turn off the monitor, forget the mouse and grab the old fashioned pen and paper. sometimes in a matter of minutes I'm on my way to a solution. if all else fails, I go for a walk and look for inspiration outside.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

Oy, I forgot to mention that this "you don't have to write every day" thingie doesn't actually apply to Beth. I believe there's some sort of rule somewhere where she has to write journal entries every day or... or... she'll get all warty and grow another leg or something. I know I'm a little vague on the journal rules, but I'm sure they're posted around here somewhere, and I just really really wanted to keep Beth from, you know, being all warty or anything. So post. (running)

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

Heh. I'd love to, kids, but I've got a dozen things to catch up on this morning. I thought I'd get to an entry sooner or later, but it's looking like tomorrow.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

That's ok, Beth, I'm sure you'll get stuff done a lot faster when you grow that third leg. And the warts won't be all bad.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

I've had a couple of bad blocks. One last year, which I know was at least partly due to getting a job which sucked all the energy from me... I had idea for stories and made attempts, but the creative energy needed to actually do anything with them was lacking. The other was a real block where I just didn't know what to write... I'd written a story that was about 40,000 words, and it was five months before I could write anything else except the occasional journal entry. As for dealing with it, I don't have any tricks. Just have to wait for the words to come...

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001