 Noticing Newbies: October 06, 2010 Issue [#4005] |
  Noticing Newbies
This week: Is Writer's Block a Myth? Edited by: Brooke  
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Is Writer's Block a Myth?
If you do a search on the internet for writers block, you will find a wide variety of explanations. Some authors say it's just an excuse, while others say they fight it tooth and nail on a regular basis. I believe the elusive 'writers block' is all about finding your voice. Now you may not understand what I mean but let me explain. Every author has a distinct way of writing. I'm not talking about genre or rating or even audience; I'm talking about how you write. I'm talking about motivation, habit, thought-process and most of all what inspires you. Have you ever been going about your day and heard or saw something that made you think - Hey, that would make a great story. Perhaps people inspire you and you see a woman walking a couple dogs at the park, or a couple in the grocery store parking lot laughing or even a young person leaning up against a wall, staring off into space and you're inspired to write a poem or story. For others it may be a song on the radio or a movie that they think should have ended another way. Creative writers see inspiration in a variety of different ways and even sometimes in basic, everyday objects. It's up to each individual to find the way that inspires them the most and use it to their advantage.
The hardest thing about writing is the act of actually doing it. It's difficult for some simply setting aside the time much less finding the spot that suits them, figuring out their inspiration and getting down to business. Think about where you wrote your last story or poem and answer the following questions:
 Where were you when you were inspired you to write?
Did the writing come fast or did you have to coax it out?
Was it for a writing challenge or was it just because you wanted to?
If it was for a challenge, what type of prompt was it?
If it wasn't for a challenge, was there a certain thing that inspired you?
What do you love about writing? What do you find difficult?
All these questions can help narrow down the how and why of what inspires you so you can find your voice. They will help you organize your thoughts so you can better control your your inspiration. Once you know that, it will be easier to stay motivated and write when you want to.
You've heard many people say, when you have writers block - take a walk. That sounds easy but is it that simple? For some perhaps it is, but me? Not really. Sometimes getting some fresh air does help you organize your thoughts though which can help you break through a stale patch, other times you need more than that. I think it depends on what you're writing and where and why you're 'stalled'.
Example:
You're writing a novel and you're on about a dozen chapters in and you're having a little trouble putting your characters in a scene or getting a scene put together to further the story to where it needs to go. The most important part of any book or movie is the characters. You can have a spectacular setting but without a great character, it's going to bomb. So where should your inspiration start? Your characters. There are many things that can help you get your characters motivated to speak to (through) you.
Some people swear by creating what is referred to as a Character Sketch or Profile . They can be detailed and lengthy including behavior and psychological profiles or they can be simple with only basic details and physical traits. The more you learn about your character, the more believable your character will be. Creating believable characters are the cornerstone of good writing. This applies from Children's writing all the way through the spectrum of genres. Without convincing characters, your writing will fall flat and lose it's credibility.
Character Development Exercises
The exercises below are written by author and musician, Sandra Miller .
 Your main character has invited you to lunch. Where does he/she meet you? What is ordered? What do you talk about?
 This exercise helps you to learn more about your character through food preference--which can actually be useful in your story--and through casual conversation.
Your two main characters have to change a flat tire, in the rain.
This exercise helps you to learn more about your characters through handling adversity--which can be very telling!
Your main character invites you to his/her place for dinner. What sort of home does he/she have? How is it furnished? Any family, roommates, pets? What is served?
This exercise gives you insight via detailed description of your character's home environment-- which can be useful in your story--family, food preference, and any other details you work into it.
Your protagonist and antagonist are each required to write a letter of introduction for your reader, describing themselves, their goals and motivations, and you.
This exercise gives you valuable insight into the way your characters think about and describe themselves.
Hopefully these ideas help you when you're lacking inspiration. If not, I've linked some activities below and a related item from a fellow author that you may find interesting.
Don't forget to look for the Send your feedback to this Newsletter button at the bottom of this newsletter to share with me how you stay inspired.
Until next time, keep writing and reviewing. 
Brooke
[Related Items]
"Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" by Arakun the twisted raccoon 
"Imagination Alphabet" by Maryann 
"The Writer's Cramp" by Sophurky 
"The Truth about Writer's Block" by Mantis 
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Take a moment to welcome these new authors to the site with a review!
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Excerpt: Write a short story! Creating your own story is very enjoyable. Make your story your own! Try different characters and fit them into interesting plots. Create and interesting world for your reader. Show don't tell! (Note: When thinking of settings, don't forget the time period or weather. They both deeply affect the mood of your story.)
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Excerpt: I've been in the business just over ten years now, I was recruited when I was 16 and from then on I was a completely different person. As I said earlier, this line of work holds no time for relationships, so with nothing to do, every hour of my day is consumed by work.
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Excerpt: It was a dark and quiet Hallow's Eve, somewhere that no one can remember, and that I can't tell you. The wind blew. The trees rustled. The precious fountain lay on the other side of the river. All she needed to do was touch it. It was right at her fingertips.
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Excerpt: It was the first time I had seen him since I had delivered him earlier that morning. She gently placed him in my arms and told me to make sure I support his head. I looked up at her and could instantly tell she was thinking the exact same thing I was. I had absolutely no business holding this infant. I was a 20 year old child that probably couldn't even keep a plant alive let alone a helpless baby. She backed away slowly.
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Excerpt: Your hands
gently caress my skin.
Your fingers
graze my jaw line
brushing my hair back.
Your thumb
traces the curve of my lips;
as you tilt my head,
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Excerpt: When it comes right down to it though, laundry is just a normal part of life. When sunlight becomes your enemy and blood is your main form of nourishment you don't need any other reminders of how Not The Dominant Species you are. Sometimes you need something simple like doing laundry, going to work, or even just sitting back and reading a book just to make you feel like a part of the world.
[Submitted Items]
Wildy submitted ...
"The Imagination for Reality" [18+]
Darkkin writes ...
A Darkkin child, who shouldn't even be alive...Her secrets, deep and dark. Chapter 1 & 2. (:
"Invalid Item"
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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I received some wonderful feedback to my last newsletter [#3953] "Learning Linking" and I'm proud to share it with you.
From Kaya
I've been on this site for YEARS and never realized just how many different ways you could link. I thought I was being fashion forward by using the ritem format!  Live and learn. Great NL!
Hi Kaya, It's surprising how many different ways there are to link things here. It's also a lot of fun to learn. Thank you so much for writing in!
From Jeff 
Fantastic and informative NL, as always, Brooke. We're lucky to have you as a full-time editor. 
Thank you so much Jeff. Your opinion means a lot to me. We're lucky to have you as well! Good to have you home and recuperating.
From Lunarmirror
I really wanted to know an answer that Story Mistress did not reply to as I think it was elsewhere but why does WDC not have a Rich Text Editor?
I think that has better functionalities.
The best person to ask would be The StoryMaster  and the proper place to ask that type of question would be the "Technical Support Forum" . That's the place for all computer-related questions and suggestions. Thanks for writing in!
From BIG BAD WOLF Feeling Thankful 
Being a new writer can be difficult. One can get discuraged, frustrated, or get into a bit of trouble with another writer. Of course, the trick is to find friends who will help you out, as my one newsletter shows.
Yes, it's easy to get discouraged but hopefully you meet up with some like-minded authors or join a group and you're back to motivated and encouraged in no time!
Thank you to everyone for writing in. Take a moment this month to share with me how you stay inspired. Have you ever had writer's block? How did you break it?
Until next time, keep writing and reviewing.
Brooke
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