Suffering from Writer’s Block? Sure I Believe You

We, writers, suffer from many romantic notions. We think that we are different (may be some of us are). We think we are born with the blessing called imagination. We prefer to spend time in isolation. And we blame writer’s block for everything that is wrong in our lives. Been there and done that. Every time I scream my heart out and humiliate someone close, I put the blame on writer’s block. It’s like blaming God for everything that is wrong in my life. God does not defy and thus He is the easiest target.

It’s easy you know and it’s handy. This is something people don’t understand. Those who don’t write, don’t know what blockage is. I know this and so does everyone who calls themselves writer with pride. It is romantic to walk into a dry well. It is almost God like to feel something that others don’t understand.

The reality is another matter all together. The reality is…writer’s block does not exist. Yes, it does not. I am a writer and I have never faced a block in my life. I blame it on the block when nothing else works.  It’s a guise that I wear to conceal the fact that I have been lazy.

There's no such thing as writer's block. That was invented by people in California who couldn't write ― Terry Pratchett

If you call yourself a writer, you gotta have the passion or the dream of making it to the publication someday. Respect your craft. Respect your skill. And respect your passion. Don’t create something that does not exist just for the heck of it. People without writing experience may believe you. But those who know the craft, those who write and those who write everyday, will not believe you. In their eyes, you will be nothing but an excuse creator. I came to realize this – the hard way.

The only reason you can't write is because you don't ― A.A. Patawaran, Write Here Write Now: Standing at Attention Before My Imaginary Style Dictator

I am into content writing for the last two years. I am writing even since I have learnt to speak. I know a thing or two about the craft. The worst thing that may happen is you will produce trash. But you cannot write, that you are suffering from a block, I am sorry my friend, this is just an excuse for not writing.

Writer's block' is just a fancy way of saying 'I don't feel like doing any work today ― Meagan Spooner  

Creative writing requires thinking and you may face a problem in imagining things and that may linger for a day or two. But this romanticism is not applicable in content writing. The only way you can face a block is by writing too much. Too many words or articles can turn you into a zombie. But if you are not writing or writing one  blog post per day and still blaming it on writer’s block, you are committing a sin.

Okay, let’s assume, you are really suffering from this block. That you are really finding it hard to write. I will still ask you what you are doing about it. What action are you taking to overcome the block? Be honest to yourself and answer this.

You see I am not trying to call you a liar. I hardly give a damn about what you are doing. It is just that you are lying to yourself and your passion. It’s your craft that will suffer and sometimes your clients who have trusted you to deliver the job. It’s about time you stop lying and get the things done.

So, next time do us a favor and find another excuse. We have been writing for too long to believe you. 

This World is a Projection of Your Own Mind

You are a big personality in your own mind only. This comment has been hurled at me few days ago. By whom? You won’t know as the person is a fucking nobody. Yeah, true, that’s what he is and yet…

I was dumbstruck for a moment. I wondered – what the fuck? How can someone who has done nothing to write history about can say this? Had it been John Grisham, I would have bowed acceptance. But to hear it from someone who frames sentences that require deciphering? Well that gets me fucking pissed. But, hey…wait a minute. He is right, I am a big personality in my mind only. I truly am. In my mind, I rule. In my mind, no one writes better than I do. In my mind, I am the queen of the world.

Reality is a projection of your thoughts or the things you habitually think about - Stephen Richards

This is what most people are unaware of. What you think in your mind ultimately comes true. So, be the king of the world in your mind first. Project properly and then only you will be able to see it in reality.

If constructive thoughts are planted positive outcomes will be the result. Plant the seeds of failure and failure will follow - Sidney Madwed  

Our world is full of losers. They are the ever waiting souls. They want to pull you down on your knees and keep you there, forever. You will have to decide your action. Do you want to stay on your knees? Or, do you want to get up and get going, no matter what?

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you - James Allen

Losers have a particular power in them. They are convincing. They have convinced themselves that the Lamborghini is out of reach. So, they will laugh at you when you will express your desire to drive one. They know that they are not capable enough to achieve success and they are afraid that you will someday. So, they try to demoralize you with their words. It’s only words and words are all they have. 

I also play with words. Words are my weapons. I build castle with words. I also destroy those castles with nothing but words. Yet, my words are never a means to demoralize anyone. If you are happy with your mind’s projection, I bow down and accept that. I also know that someday your thought will help you reach your destination.

The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking - Albert Einstein

If there is someone, who claims to be your friend and yet keep saying to you that you are nothing but a projection of your mind. Smile and accept. Dream big. Let you imagination go wild. And say it aloud. Say that you are the next best seller. Say that you are the conqueror of this whole world. Declare to everyone that you dream of driving that Audi or the Lamborghini. Do not be shy to admit that you have the desire to become the next multi billionaire. Let them laugh at you. Listen to the sound of laughter and the tinge of mockery. Nothing motivates better than sarcasm.

You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind - Darwin P. Kingsley   

To build or to destroy depends on you. Walk away from the negative influences. Discard these people from your life. Keep following your heart and build world in your mind. And always remember – This World Is a Projection of You Own Mind.   

Writing Law Violation – Shock Them

It’s been a while since I got to write anything. Life, not just life, it’s my fucking professional life that got me and bam… there went everything that I loved outta window. I thought of writing something for the blog, but failed to find a good topic. Nothing seemed good enough to write about. It was an excuse and I knew it. I just didn’t want to write anything. Twice I even started writing a post. It’s a review of a book I am reading currently. But the words and sentences sounded like someone else had written them. So, I forced myself to hit the delete button.

That got me thinking. I always say that writers write. What the fuck did I do in these past two weeks? Nothing, just sat around wrote some worthless contents that would never draw any reader and cursed and cursed. That’s it. Yeah, I did some reading. But reading to me is like taking the next breath. You take my books away and you have killed me. So, reading for pleasure does not count. At least I don’t think so.

I simply did nothing. And I call myself a writer. With pride mind you.

Inside I knew that I should write. I even looked longingly at the notebook where I am writing my next novel, but the Pilot V5 seemed too heavy between my fingers. And I set it away.

This is a familiar phase to me. This happens. Too frequently to be natural. These are phases that tempt me to run away or find solace inside the pages of a fairy tale. But, life is not a fairy tale, is it guys? Life is a novel. It is hard and harsh. Harsher than my tongue sometimes lol.

So, in the end I broke the fast last night and jotted down some words in the notebook. And man, did it feel good to be back? You bet it did. I broke almost all the grammar rules and regulations that have ever been created. Thank God they don’t prosecute for grammar law violation. I would have been a goner by now, if they did.

I have written another post about getting into a writing habit. But this one is for the law breakers.

Do break some law (literary)

Be daring and break the law. Some of your friends will frown at this. Yet, breaking rules feels good. It is like breaking free of the captivation. It is like letting fresh air inside your room and breathing a lungful. Make yourself forget all the shits you have learnt all your life and write. If writing without punctuation helps you by all means do it. Look, I am not encouraging anyone to be a bad writer and this rule breaking may not get you published. But, this will surely set free your creativity. You may even find that kickass voice of yours this way.

Curse

Yeah, allow yourself to curse. Cursing gets the frustration out and you will feel fucking good after a good session. Because I am a natural, I never needed any encouragement. Those words come to me.

Read Something Unconventional

Classics are good for improving your vocab. But then again Archie comics is also good for entertainment. Why restrict your reading? Comics will teach you how to frame dialogues. Read them. Don’t be ashamed to admit that yes, you do read Archie.

Mix Genres

Recently I got an advice from a very dear friend of mine – thrillers thrill and mysteries should be all about suspense and not philosophical.  While I respect him and accept most of everything he says, here I had to defy him. Where the fuck it is written that mystery cannot have a philosophical touch? Who the hell says that a sleuth cannot have feelings? I personally think (I am not always right, but neither are the critics) every character should have feelings and their emotions should be portrayed on paper. Then again, you may think otherwise. Try mixing genres. This will be fun, I am telling you. Write a philosophical mystery or psychological romance. See how far you can continue.  

Forgive me for being what I am and expressing my truest feeling. I am not saying the above mentioned tips will make you write like John Grisham. But they may help or they may not. There is no harm in trying though.