#Writing WriterProblems

[halimamis]

I have Three writing projects but I’m daydreaming about a Fourth one instead

[yoonsea-yoon]

You start writing with perfect grammar, feeling like a literary genius… and by the middle, it’s more like ‘a toddler’s first draft.’

[happy74827]

Uhm… 💀💀

Yeah… uh, can we normalize reblogging, please? 😭😭🙏

[azus-reyan]

Entry 11: Yesterday, I posted my freewriting. Not a great plan.

Normally, one doesn’t post their freewriting. It’s, well, weird. But I did.

Guess what that means?

The thing about freewriting is that it’s not really about thinking.

Well, you do think, but that shackle is loosened. I call thinking a shackle because, for the most part, it holds writers back. And by writers, I mean anyone who creates stories or creative work.

See, people connect with stories from the heart. Stories that touch the soul and speak to something within.

But then comes thinking.

Most authors pour their ideas when they’re still pure, and use thinking afterwards to polish the piece.

But if you’re not careful, thinking can also muddle that rawness. Kind of like adding water to wine—diluting the essence of the ingredients.

With freewriting, you turn down that thinking mechanism. You’re writing in a way that feels almost like learning to write all over again.

It’s personal, messy, and filled with raw ideas (for the most part)…

And you’re not supposed to post it.

Writer’s block. It’s one of the most common problems that plague writers.

If you ask an author why he has this ailment, he’ll passive-aggressively answer with, “If I knew the why, would I be in this predicament?”

After a brief reconsideration that makes you realize how stupid that question was, you try a more sensible approach.

“What I meant was, how do you feel when you’re experiencing writer’s block?”

The author could answer in many ways, but the most common response is, “I’m stuck.”

Ah, perfect, you think. Finally, you can help the guy who never asks for it.

“Why don’t you freewrite?” You ask, with a voice that doesn’t hide the muffled beating undertone of your heart.

“Freewrite? Well, I would if I could, but you see, I’m stuck. You know, U.N.A.B.L.E T.O W.R.I.T.E?!!!”

Sensing the definite irritability in his voice, you carefully suggest, “Why don’t you start with something simple? Like… Banana. And Just go from there.”

“I WOULD IF I COULD YOU F*CKING CUN… wait… Banana you say? Banana is a good word. But… um… Banana… Banana… Banana. Hey, wait, where did you go?”

Too late, you’re out.

Several hours later...

You meet the writer on better terms, casually chatting about life until he suddenly brings up the topic with surprising enthusiasm.

He goes on and on about how banana was the perfect word to write with—perfectly balanced between elegance and simplicity. How it showcases the flexibility of the English language, all while peppering in complex words only a writer would use.

You’re happy to have been of help, though you’re trying hard to forget that he screamed at you earlier.

“So, can I see it?” You ask, knowing very well what his answer will be.

“The book?”

“No, the banana piece.”

“Oh, that? I trashed it, of course.”

You know he didn’t trash it. You also know that he knows that you can just get it from the dustbin.

You also thrice know, that when he gets like this, you can’t snatch the piece from his cold, dead hands. So you sip your coffee and pass the day with a much more pleasant subject.

But I’m not much of a writer, so I posted it to the world!

My excuse? Being lazy, or rather, I was lazy yesterday Friday.

I like to chill on Fridays, and while writing could help with that, I consider it work. You’d have a better chance of seeing the sun rise in the west than me working on a Friday. Not my vibe.

So, I thought, why not write about something that doesn’t start with “banana”—like the light to the left of my keyboard? And wait, wouldn’t it be perfect to just post it for the whole world to see?

Normally, my freewriting feels better when I’m handwriting. But I typed this one out and had to wrestle with the idea of actually posting it.

A small confession: I have a serious case of perfectionism. Most writers do. And there’s no better cure for it than to put your very worst forward.

I had a rough night after that.

I might try again, but who knows when. Probably not anytime soon.

See ya.

[flokidokie]

The good thing: A full week off to write on my next book.

The bad thing: having writers block

The good thing: getting back into reading and devouring the whole shadow & bones series plus six of crows and crooked kingdom

The better thing: creativity hits again and the words just flowing out of my fingers onto the paper

The catch: writers brain only accepts writing Nikolai Lantsov fanfiction

Just why...

[relationshipnotfound]

Looking back on my old fics and having to force myself not to re-write them because it shows that I'm improving I HARD

I slandered so many characters in my old kotlc hc / quote book and it's even passing ME off now. The Fitz slander was unnecessary (I hated him because he reminds me of myself).. UGH I WANT TO SO BADDDD

[clarislam]

If you don't know which writing project to work on yet this season, here's part 2!

I hope these strategies (or the ones I shared earlier this week) help you figure out your next writing project!

Image reads: "Strategies To Figure Out Your Next Writing Project" 3. Pick a project based on which ones you already started and want to finish first. 4. Pick a project based on what type of mood you want to write (lighthearted, angst, hurt/comfort, etc.) Sheets of paper and emojis of various expressions can be seen beside the two points.

Looking for Part 1? Check out this post!

Want to learn more about me and my work?

Check out my Carrd for links to my books, website, and more: https://clarislam.carrd.co

[postscriptsillage]

Dear Tempestine

Dear Tempestine, 

You might not remember me well, but I can recount the outline of your body extemporaneously. You always stood out, altogether golden. 

I was and remain just another cog in the crowd machine. Nothing about me exudes remarkability. The world, I have concluded, is a dichotomy of the observers and the observed. In this life, I am working the spotlight and shining it on those who are golden, like you. 

I do not dispute that respect is something that must be earned. But for you, Tempestine, it appears to fall on the lap like an easy offering. You have a head start. You have an unforgettable face and speak words with such cadence that even lyrebirds reluctantly accept their incompetence before you. 

In the daylight, the light guides my life and brightens up conservations. Towards nightfall, there is nothing to anchor me, and I find myself grovelling for someone to put the spotlight on me and behold me just once. 

The Moon Goddess never obliges and I shudder to think I am accursed to sit in oblivion. No light, no gold, just abject darkness. 

With begrudging admiration, 

[acurtist]

I usually sign up on social media as a writer. ✍️

Although, dwell in the obscurity. 🙈

Everytime, I come across a post beaming with confidence I'm like WOW maybe I should try it out... 🙂

The only way I manage to communicate without breaking down is via humor.🥺

Point is be kind to writers. We overthink inside our own minds to an exhausting degree. 🥲

Anything else anyone else has to say cannot possibly match that torture. 🥹

[jennadevillierwrites]

Revision work this morning! I finally finished my scene list and I’m ready to get started on my opening chapters once I write my new synopsis and query letter 😌

[commecietca]

Are you ever writing a story and realize, the reason why it's not working is because you're making two different stories? And once you separate the stories it makes sense.....oh, just me. ok.

[halimamis]

Relatable writing scenarios

Some days I write 5,000 words in one sitting, and other days I stare at the god-damn computer like, 'What’s a verb again?'

[acurtist]

Better safe than sorry.

“You have to find the right distance between people. Too close, and they overwhelm you, too far and they abandon you.”

— Hanif Kureishi, Intimacy

[happy74827]

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m loving the new update with Tumblr.

As a writer, my replies of gratitude not linking up with the original comment had me so irritated. I absolutely love it now.

[exploresmallworlds]

Interregum: writer tales

My two projects are vastly different. These are different styles. A deeply personal introspection on the world outside and the other one is exploring the world of the characters which aren't necessarily myself (although somewhat myself of course).

I have written a bit and yesterday i had to give myself the strength to look at the things that I have already written and published. Even as a blog, I still get scared about what I am going to put to my goblin persona. i had them sitting in my scrivener and I wasn't even sure that they were good enough. And they have to be good enough to update because there isn't anything else that is compelling it except the strange impetus of missing out on a couple of months while I had a break.

So if anyone reads and thinks that they have been creating stuff and it hasn't felt strong enough to publish or even that it needs more work please know that even though I have hit my my modest goal of getting better at writing I am still looking at my work and I am still having concerns about the validity of publishing it.

And I am comforted by my conversations with one of my friends that have the same issue with writers block because this person is one of the smartest and most skilled writers that I know and he can't even open a book or listen to audiobook or even write due to burnout. And that is a sobering thought. That our output doesn't have anything to do with our blocks in our brain. That person is still the smartest and most skilled writer even in their blocked state. And that is the trust you have to have in yourself.

[clarislam]

Some writers preparing for new writing projects (particularly in November for a variety of reasons).

But...what if you don't know which writing project to work on yet!?

Here are some strategies to figure out your next writing project! There will be a part 2 coming later this week.

Image reads: "Strategies To Figure Out Your Next Writing Project: 1. Pick a project at random and work on it 2. Pick a project based on what genre you want to write in (mystery, fantasy,etc.) The two images beside the text are of a person staring at a sign that points in multiple directions, and a pile of books on top of each other.

Want to learn more about me and my work?

Check out my Carrd for links to my books, website, and more: https://clarislam.carrd.co