Julian

Hey all!

I thought this would be a good place for the people who are interested in writing and/or participating in the Writers' Contest to come together and share ideas and tips on how to write great pieces, whether it's a novel, letter, or essay.


I think the biggest problem that gets in my way of writing is writer's block. It's that damn mental boulder that stands in the way of my beginning or completion of a piece of writing. But once I get that boulder rolling, its downhill from there. We all get writer's block one time or another... so I wanted to post a few of my own techniques I've found to be a great way of removing writer's block:

1) Read a lot of books: that's where I get a lot of my inspiration from. Big thanks to JRR Tolkein, Robert Jordan, and JK Rowling for being the best fantasy novel writers around!
2) Daydream: I tend to daydream quite a bit. And although most of my daydreams are completely irrelevant and rather pointless, there's always the odd time when a really inspirational thought will just float into my head.
3) If you get an idea, write it down: I think this explains itself pretty well. I try to write down any important thoughts in my head so I won't forget them later on (my short-term memory is appalling, really)

Well, those are the techniques I've personally found to be quite effective. Please post your own hints and tips for overcoming writer's block (or just suggestions on improving writing skills) for others to read and put to the test.

Oh, and just another thing I remembered: I recall hearing from :/_soft-revolution_/: about a really effective way of venting pent-up anger and stress. When you're really frustrated or angry, write out all of your thoughts and feeling down on a piece of paper. Drain your mind as much as possible. Then, burn it! I've tried it, and it's REALLY effective. It's definitely better than letting them build up inside of you and have them explode at a random someone

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Thig crioch air an t-saoghal ach mairidh ceol is gaol. ~ "The world might come to an end, but music and love will remain." -- Old Gaelic proverb

Visit my MSN Space, Blue Fields

GlobalTribe

Thanks for starting this thread. I want to post some tips too but I'll wait to see what others have to say first.

(You missed my Lord of the Rings speech on Friday.)

Charles

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To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to leave the world a better place, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.- Ralph Waldo Emerson

:/_soft-revolution_/:

THAT'S MY THING!!!!

The burning paper with feelings thing.
You know I'm just kidding, I don't care if you post it up. In fact, I don't even know if you heard that tip from me. If you did, give me credit.

Lurve!!
Lara

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~when there is nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire~

Julian

Hey Lara!

Read my post CAREFULLY!!! If you missed it, I gave you credit for that tip using your SCREEN NAME which is in PINK! I never use other people's ideas without giving them credit, ya know!

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Thig crioch air an t-saoghal ach mairidh ceol is gaol. ~ "The world might come to an end, but music and love will remain." -- Old Gaelic proverb

Visit my MSN Space, Blue Fields

Daniel Owens

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"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music."
"Anyone who doesn't see life as pure entertainment is missing the point."
- George Carlin

desiresawaithee

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"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world" - Anonymous

swimmerguy333

hmmmmmm, im not sure if i have strategy at all for writing, i just kind of sit down, create an idea or a topic that i want to write about, how i want to write, why i am writing it, what i want people to think about it or learn from it, and then i just do it. i get distracteed very easily, and i daydream probably every second of the day (ive perfected the vacant stare that usually accompanies the day dreamin) and i find that going off to a quiet place where ill be by myself, void of distractions, that usually helps calm me down if im frustrated. also, if im really startin to fade in and out, i sit back and take a break, leave the room, do something else, get something to eat, watch a little tv, and just get my mind off of what im doing. doing this helps make you feel refeshed and ready to start again.

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To die for the revolution is a one-shot deal; to live for the revolution means taking on the more difficult commitment of changing our day-to-day life patterns.
-Frances M. Beal

dewert

What I find helps a lot is just writing something, anything. Even if it's way off-topic. It gets you going, and you often end up with stuff that is very... shall we say, interesting? Once you get into the feeling of writing, you can start thinking on paper about whatever it is you need to actually write about. Works that way for me anyway. The music thing kills my writing completely, unless the music is instrumental. I tend to listen to lyrics if there are any, and my ideas become very unoriginal.
Another thing - write in a way you are comfortable writing. Just because it's easier to edit on computer doesn't mean that's the best way to go. Paper and pen is often better for the creative process. Not for me, usually, but I know people who can't think at all when they're in front of a computer.
I agree with reading a lot - I really should read more. But, word of warning, and this is especially true in the world of fantasy. Using the same style and/or ideas as another author leads to bad writing. Find your voice. Some many Tolkien rip-offs, and none of them are any good. Ugh.
Finally, don't listen to me cause I'm not really here.

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Dewet
I will think of something to put here later.

rsierra06

Writer's block sucks! So does forgetting an idea you had earlier. Whenever I get an idea, I write it down, even in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. It's also good not to get frustrated over something, just relax, get a snack, a drink, or take a nap. Also, when I have no ideas, I read other books or listen to music to get some inspiration. I also read dictionaries and thesauruses. Just remember not to plagiarize when reading through other's works. One thing that sucks, but also works is a prewrite always plan before writing. Use other people to help you with ideas. Release some anger. Its fun to hit things (People too!) and to just destroy something. Knowing that you can destroy something and that you have that power will make you feel a lot better, and lifts up your spirits.

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El destino guía a quien de buen grado lo sigue, al díscolo lo arrastra.
--- Lucio Anneo Séneca
Destiny guides those who are willing to follow, and it drags the uncontrollable
--- Lucio Anneo Séneca