Writer’s Block
2009 November 3
Seriously brilliant post from John August.
“You know who gets writer’s block? Non-writers. They think it’s cool and romantic to struggle to make Art. They make sure everyone knows how torturous the process is, so when they finally squeeze something out, it won’t be judged on its merits but rather the emotional anguish involved in its creation.
Writers write. Hacks Posers whine about how hard it is.”
My opinion? I don’t believe in Writer’s Block – never have.
When I can’t work it’s because there’s something wrong with what I’m working on, I’m tired, cranky, don’t feel like working or want to play.
I don’t believe in the Muse, either.
I showed my human your post and he said he couldn’t agree more. His biggest beef is having enough to write all the ideas he has and those that are constantly being added. I can attest to his living at the keyboard; I have a hard time getting to the blooming thing to blog!
http://www.sandysays1.wordpress.com
I think your human should get a cat. They’re known to trample on keyboards. Just think of the exercise you’d get!
The reason I usually stare at the page in frustration is because the story is broken and I haven’t hit on a good way to fix it and I haven’t the courage to scrap it. So I think I agree.
I think the single greatest tool for a writer is the Delete key.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve thought I’ve written deathless prose, only to stare at it later and know it has to go. For every book now, I have three files: The Master book file, a file called Put In and another file called Don’t Use.