Writer’s Paralysis
Posted by Katie Schnack in 
I would like to propose an alternative to the often discussed concept of writer’s block: writer’s paralysis, from which I believe I am currently suffering. Never mind that I invented the term and am diagnosing myself with it; I am positive it exists, and I have fallen victim to its powers. Perhaps you can relate, or perhaps you too have the symptoms.
See, when I think of the term writer’s block, I envision a person staring at a blank computer screen with zombie-like eyes, a head filled with nothing but a coffee buzz, and completely void of any inspiration. That is not my problem. Yes, I always have a steady stream of coffee slightly muddling my thought process, but I am definitely not lacking on the creative musings; in fact just the opposite. I have multiple ideas floating around between my ears. I have a whole book ready to submit, I have begun a new one by writing chapters silently to myself while I drive down the Mopac, and I have mentally written an entire children’s book about an obese cat, illustrations included. The problem is, none of it is going on paper, and the book isn’t getting sent out because I am spending my mental energy on other things. Annoying, stupid adult things—fears, worries, anxieties, money, bills, and an ongoing dispute with my seemingly incompetent health care provider. Gross. I am paralyzed.
Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
No really, where do you get your ideas? Seems like a cliché question, but there’s a reason why it’s frequently asked. Exchanging resources with fellow writers only serves to broaden everyone’s perspective. The following are my personal fail-safes, the things that always urge me to write.
The city bus provides great fodder for characters and situations. You’ve got people from all walks of life stuck in a small space. It’s a real-life comedy sketch. Taking the Greyhound bus also makes for off-the-wall anecdotes. It might entail getting stuck sitting next to someone who smells like sour booze and talks about his god-given superpowers, but the experience can pay off. If anything, you can look at it as one advantage of somewhat involuntarily sharing your space. You get to hear the wackiest and saddest things all on one day trip.
Write What You … No?
When seeking “how to” advice for creative writing (how to do creative writing? how to write creatively? how to create writing?), one tip invariably comes up: “Write what you know.”
But what if “what you know” isn’t particularly exciting? To those of you whose day-to-day lives aren’t quite thrilling enough to be immortalized in writing, you are not alone. The good news is, well, there are two pieces of good news.
A Good Fantasy is Hard to Write
Really guys, fantasy doesn't have to look like this.
The end of the Harry Potter saga makes me wistful. I know a lot of fans feel the same, and I find that amazing. Harry Potter isn’t even real, yet fans mourn his passing from the limelight. Usually, fantasies lie on the periphery of popular literature. They huddle in a corner alongside D&D campaigns and erotic fanfic. However, when a fantasy achieves pop culture status, it’s often with a lasting bang. “Tolkienverse”, Harry Potter, and comic book superheroes are some modern examples.
Furthermore, the enduring popularity of myths and fairy tales, the ancestors of fantasy, show that imagining the supernatural is part of the human experience. To this day, fantasy writers re-imagine Arthurian legend, scholars still study the Odyssey, and movie directors reinvigorate fairy tales like “Snow White.” Few stories or characters from other genres become so culturally ingrained as the likes of Aladdin or Cinderella.
2nd Saturday Workshops at WBN
Parents, are you raising the next literary genius? If your offspring has a way with words and/or needs to polish their skills (or you just need them out of the house for a couple of hours!), check out Badgerdog’s upcoming 2nd Saturday Writing Sessions, a series of workshops for 4th-12th graders which will be held right here at WriteByNight HQ.
Each session will focus on a specific theme and age group, and will be held on the second Saturday of each month between August and December. The first workshop is slated for August 13th. Called “The Magic of Myths,” this session, aimed at 4th and 5th grade writers, will explore what makes mythical tales so appealing and will help students find the inspiration to write their own. read more
Novel Brainstorming
It may not be perfect, but it sure beats a blank page
Hollywood makes starting a novel seem like a supernatural affair, parallel to a life-altering angel visitation or something. Some writers talk about brainstorming a novel like it’s an involuntary vision quest. For instance, J.K. Rowling claimed “I really don’t know where the idea came from. It started with Harry, then all these characters and situations came flooding into my head.” Doesn’t that sound like every writer’s dream come true? You’re walking along, feeling listless about the writing life, and all of a sudden―bam! There’s your hero and your story.
Manuscript Mania
When was the last time you cleaned up your manuscript (by which I mean fixed the funky spacing), got it all dressed up (by which I mean printed it out on crinkle-free paper), and got it smelling good (by which I suppose I mean lightly spritzed it with perfume? Just a thought…) for a night on the town?
Preparing to share a manuscript can be just as, if not more, rattling as getting ready for a date. When it comes down to it, your writing can feel like a whole lot of you spilled out onto a page.
Movin’ on Up(stairs)
WriteByNight is moving on up … to the second floor. After weeks of preparation, our upstairs level is now ready for the public. We have worked hard to make a space that is both functional and inspirational, with several new seating areas in which you’re free to kick back and hone your literary genius; like our comfy couch in the corner nook, or the writing desk over looking eclectic East 6th St.
To make the upstairs space a place that inspires creativity, we commissioned local artist Olivier A. Villa to complete the 18’ x 16’ acrylic mural, La Mujer de El, that now bathes our upstairs space in cool colors and dreamlike images. Visit Villa’s website to see more of his work and to read more about his artistic vision. read more
How to Improve Your … Words and Stuff
In the following video I prattle on about ways to improve your vocabulary, suggest a new way of playing Scrabble, wear a blue shirt that becomes white in the lights and makes me look like an ill ghost, and offer some tips on useful references.
(Hint: Always, always, always double-check your words on UrbanDictionary.com)
Procrastionation–An Unlikely Friend?
Oh, to be able to feel like this before a due date.
Many writers consider procrastination their Achilles’ heel. I know I did for a long time. I remember staying home from school as a preteen and writing papers that were days overdue. Luckily, I had a Mom who lent me her editing expertise and bailed me out with excuse notes. Now, of course, I can’t send my editor a letter saying, “Please excuse Jenna Cooper for her late article submission. She is a procrastinator.”
So what’s a procrastinator to do? read more
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