A wasp rises to its papery
Nest under the eaves
Where it daubs
At the gray shape
Seems unable
To enter its own house
~Jane Kenyon
* photo from: http://stacienaczelnik.hubpages.com/hub/Five-Poetry-Writing-Exercises
Do you have any exercises you use, when feeling blocked? Words won't come, your muse doesn't want to play, and you feel void of creativity. I am rarely uninspired or short of ideas, for me picking up a book and glancing through will jar a memory. I will jot down some lines about the thought or words that I was attracted to. Today, I feel like the tide is extremely low and a fog bank has settled over my harbor. I wondered what do You do, when this happens? Maybe it doesn't... but you must have ways to entice your voice to come through. I glanced at this book on Amazon,"The Poets Companion" by Kim Addonizio and Dorianne Laux. They don't believe in Writer's Block; they believe we are empty or full and listed some creative exercises to try for help. I will share a few:
Write what is in your view, even if it your hands or feet.
Write about not writing
Keep a journal
Look out your window write about what you see or don't see
Go to a busy place, be around people write down what you see, hear, etc.
Go for a walk, movement helps your muse
Today's exercise is to share what has helped you; please leave a comment and tell us what worked for you~
I get writer's block from time to time. (I can attribute a great deal of that to my confidence or lack there of more than anything else.) To break it I just push through. I keep writing even if I think everything is trash. I listen to music a lot so sometimes changing up the music helps. Writing nonsense helps me too.
ReplyDeleteWhen pushing through fails, I go for a walk, draw, paint, play with my kids...anything but write.
In the end all of my efforts are probably useless in that it's probably time that helps the most. Being low on creative ink, or running into a block produces the same results, one frustrated writer. It's agonizing at times, especially when you're looking back at a month or months worth of a lack of proper writing.
Good luck on finding your inspiration!
Renee
I go through dormant periods, days even weeks, where I find it difficult to find inspiration or even the will to attempt a piece. What helps, for me, is to work on a form poem, choosing any random topic, even a picture. I find that focusing on form, counting syllables, fiddling with rhyme and stress patterns, removes my attention from the fact that I have nothing to say.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been truly blocked since joining the prompt circit. But sometimes I feel drained of all poetry, because of writing too much. My absolute rule is that I must write something, however daft. Humour helps. Also, a bit of flash fiction rejuvenates the writing urge. If all else fails, I write about not being able to write!
ReplyDeleteThank you, these are all great! It is playing and seeing what works; I will try all of them; thanks so much~
ReplyDeleteif i feel blocked, i find or ask for an assignment. or i try writing a story; usually i can write fiction when i am not feeling words coming for a poem.
ReplyDeleteella, your post prompted this:
http://www.runawaysentence.com/2011/08/how-not-to-feel.html
thank you, i was feeling down and a little blocked, and i decided to write about how that felt after i read your post this morning :)
I have a plethora of writing exercises, tho I rarely use them. First I have to find them. Then I'll come back and put a few in here. I have times when I have no energy and many more times when I have no inspiration.....but I know eventually I will Have A Thought and another poem will come:)
ReplyDeleteI go through periods of drought with my poetry. Especially if a lot of stress is occurring in my life. Exercises that help me are writing a word down the left side of the page and writing down whatever word comes to mind for each letter. Sometimes I'll pick a random group of words and make them into a poem.
ReplyDeletehaha reading the others I think I have the least productive way of dealing with writer's block. I take ages on a single poem (days - not concentrated I just pick at it over a few days - week for some) so I normally have a new idea by the time I've finished, though more than 2 poems a week is a rarity haha. When I have "block" I simply stop writing. Definitely not the most productive but I think it works for me, just writing nothing for a while, I'll go and read or something and find inspiration, maybe write a few SOCs then steal lines etc. to form a poem - but the non-writing helps and avoids repetition of themes, as some writers get caught up in something when they write too much imo!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for sharing! I love everyone's insight. I do think stress is my main cog, right now. I'm going to try all of the suggestions. I think distraction is probably best for me. We will see... Thank you I truly appreciate all of your responses~
ReplyDeletealso? as for my blog? i am committed to having fresh stuff up there nearly every day. so, if you see receipes or photos or music videos? you know that i am struggling with words. like today :)
ReplyDeleteThere are times when nothing helps but time, but usually starting a freewrite works. The first few letters/words may be gibberish, but suddenly words form and transform into sentences. This was a recommendation from a discussion group, and it works for me 90+% of the time.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea; so glad you shared Mike!
ReplyDeleteMarian-I will visit soon; you are not alone in your struggle xXx
I have written off and on throughout the years. Due to my upbringing I have never taken seriously any of my artistic endeavors.
ReplyDeleteI will soon be sixty five. And I am just now giving myself permission to indulge in whatever artistic endeavor it is that interests me. Part of that permission for me comes in the form of not feeling badly about not doing something. It is important for me not to be in competition with anyone including myself. Again, a response to my upbringing. But important non the less.
And so, I ease forward. I am pleased to be here. Thank you.