Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )










Reply to this topicStart new topicStart Poll

> Fear Of The Blank Page - Writer's Block, Etc., anyone got stories to share?
Elspeth 
Posted: 22-Nov-2003, 06:13 AM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
Group Icon

Group: Wales
Posts: 2,216
Joined: 24-Jun-2003
ZodiacReed


female





I was reading of Celeste's writer's block and I wondered if perhaps it might be nice to share some of those annoying things writers and artists go through in the process of creation.

For, example, I've never really hit the wall yet in writer's block, but I have experienced this bizarre reluctance - almost fear - to begin a new story. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what's going on with it other than to say it is a stepping into the unfamiliar. Writing my last novel required a great deal of research and is 600 pages long. The process was very time consuming - over a year of my time. In that year, I got to know those characters intimately and love them like real people.

To start a new book is like leaving home, going where you know no one and starting all over trying to make friends. I may, in time, learn to love these characters as well, but right now they are only shadow people. And so, I find myself procrastinating.

Others have stories to share?


--------------------
Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.
- Frederick Buechner



If society prospers at the expense of the intangibles,
how can it be called progress?

-LLP
PMEmail Poster My Photo Album               
Top
Raven_Whitefang
Posted: 22-Nov-2003, 03:48 PM
Quote Post




Guest


Main: Registration
Questions: Help
Important: Rules
Messages: Search






Zodiac








The dreaded Block. Cant say much for writing, but drawing is a pain when you have the idea sitting in your head, yet when you look at the blank page, you want to fill it with your creation, but something blocks the mind from giving the hand instructions. I tend to doodle and mimic pictures until the block gets out of my system. Finally when my own work comes out its not like a cold shower.

vampire.gif
               
Top
CelticRoz 
Posted: 22-Nov-2003, 05:23 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Roz
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 6,930
Joined: 09-Nov-2003
ZodiacAlder


female





I suffer from the old dreaded "artists block" myself. I am like Raven Whitefang in that I may have an image in my head, but to get started on the actual creation part of it on a blank canvas is not only frightening to me, but something I really dread. I loathe beginning a new piece of artwork. Once I get into it and it is working out in flow I am fine. But always in the back of my mind is that fear of failure that keeps me from picking up the paint brush at first.

One thing that I have found to help me is to have more than one piece of artwork going at the same time. It seems to keep the creative juices flowing for me for some reason.

Thanks Elsbeth for bringing up this topic.
PMEmail PosterMy Photo Album               
Top
single speed 
Posted: 22-Nov-2003, 10:30 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 452
Joined: 10-Nov-2003
ZodiacIvy

Realm: San Antonio, Tx

male







My "fear of the blank page" comes from two places.

The first is that I have'nt written for almost three years. After journaling the events of my life during a year spent with a faith-based volunteer organization, I edited them into a publishable form. I never looked into having it published, but the effort sated my need to write for a while.

The other fear stems from a final research proposal due on Wednesday. I love writing, dislike research, and loathe critical discourse on said reaearch. Unfortunately, this project requires a full measure of all three. My mantra for Grad school is: "Hold on, only two more semesters!"

Because of all of the writing I have been doing for school, I am exploring short stories and essays, just to keep my sanity. I'll post the next one in Celtic Hearts.

Poetry has always been the easiest form of literature for me. I write a most of it when I am in love. Consequently, I write poetry about every 4 years, whether I need it or not. For some reason, I don't keep much of it.

T.

PS Look Elspeth, 5 paragraphs! beer_mug.gif


--------------------
If you were accused of being a Christian, would your enemies have enough evidence to convict you?
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him keep pace with the music he hears, however measured or far away.
-Henry David Thoreau

Pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended upon man.
- Cardinal Francis J. Spellman
PMEmail Poster               
Top
Elspeth 
Posted: 23-Nov-2003, 05:56 AM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
Group Icon

Group: Wales
Posts: 2,216
Joined: 24-Jun-2003
ZodiacReed


female





single speed, WooHoo verbose answers, just like I like them. laugh.gif
I look forward to seeing your stories (or poems) posted. Fall in love with a sunset and write a poem about that! biggrin.gif I don't write poetry because of the forced brevity. Why say something in one word when I can use five? Nope, I know my niche and it's the novel. Nice long novels. laugh.gif

And desertrose, you are more than welcome for starting this thread. As someone new to writing, I never before had an artists group to share ideas, frustrations, questions and encouragement with. Massively cool.
PMEmail Poster My Photo Album               
Top
Aaediwen 
Posted: 23-Nov-2003, 05:31 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
Group Icon

Group: Super Moderator
Posts: 3,069
Joined: 09-Oct-2003
ZodiacHolly

Realm: Kentucky

male





I've often felt writer's block. I'll sit there wanting to write something, word processor open or pen in hand and I just don't hear or see anything. Generally, I sit there milling about it fora while, and if nothing comes then I try again later. Or, if there is a perticular imatge or line that I'm wanting to do somethingwith then I'll run the line through my head over and over or try to elaborate on it.

Right now, I'm having some difficulty with my short story that I'm working on. My main character just found out who she really is, and knows that she's the rightful ruler of her people, but now I need to figure out how to work up the change of power, and a reason for people to back her. Also, I need to figure out how people react to her attempts to restore power to where it needs to be.

Perhaps if she started descretely distributing materials that enlighten people to things that have been hidden for the last 1500 years. Anyone done more research into government changes and situations like this than myself, who might have ideas? Or ideas of where something similar has happened in history that I can look at?


--------------------
Poet and seeker of knowledge



PMEmail Poster My Photo Album               
Top
CelticRoz 
Posted: 23-Nov-2003, 05:46 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Roz
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 6,930
Joined: 09-Nov-2003
ZodiacAlder


female





QUOTE (Elspeth @ Nov 23 2003, 06:56 AM)
And desertrose, you are more than welcome for starting this thread. As someone new to writing, I never before had an artists group to share ideas, frustrations, questions and encouragement with. Massively cool.

I have always found it very important to have other artists to share my feelings with. We are the only ones who understand each other, eh?

I am trying to work on a painting right now. boy! I am just not in the mood, but it is a commission piece. Any of you find it difficult to produce your creativity when you are not in the mood, but feel forced to? I know you just can't force creativity, but sometimes I have to and invaribly my final products never come out good when I do. But it is hard to tell a customer that.
PMEmail PosterMy Photo Album               
Top
Raven_Whitefang
Posted: 23-Nov-2003, 11:39 PM
Quote Post




Guest


Main: Registration
Questions: Help
Important: Rules
Messages: Search






Zodiac








I can sympathyze with the commission or deadline artwork pieces. Ive had to do a few, for Angel and am still working on more for her thankfully I have time to get into the zone. It is really hard to do something creatively in a time limit. It feels like the flow of creativity is turned off like a faucet. I tend to throw on some good trance type of music as a sort of drain de-clogger. It puts me into a zone where I get it done comfortably and in my time, even though it is a deadline.

vampire.gif
               
Top
oldraven 
Posted: 24-Nov-2003, 09:53 AM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



The Protector of the Unknown
Group Icon

Group: Scotland
Posts: 3,316
Joined: 20-Oct-2003
ZodiacHazel

Realm: Guysborough Co., Nova Scotia

male





Well, I'm currently going through, oh, about four years of writers block. And I really don't know what to do about it. I tried dabbling in editorial stuff, but now I'm slacking in that too.


--------------------
Caw

"I am a Canadian by birth, but I am a Highlander by blood and feel under an obligation to do all I can for the sake of the Highlanders and their literature.... I have never yet spoken a word of English to any of my children. They can speak as much English as they like to others, but when they talk to me they have to talk in Gaelic."

-Alexander Maclean Sinclair of Goshen (protector of Gaelic Culture)

We need more Stan Rogers.

jams
PMEmail Poster               
Top
CelticRoz 
Posted: 24-Nov-2003, 01:08 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Roz
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 6,930
Joined: 09-Nov-2003
ZodiacAlder


female





I can identify with that, Raven Whitefang. If I just go into my studio and put on some good music, that really helps inspire me a lot and gets me in the groove. I have really had a hard time painting for over a year now. I have promised a friend a painting for that amount of time or more. She is an artist too and we were to trade and she did her part and gave me one of her originals that she had done just for me. Now it is my turn and I just can't seem to get in there and work on hers. I feel like a real heel for this, but the desire just isn't there to paint right now.

I think a lot of my problem is that I was doing shows, a lot of them and when our economy got so bad and the sales stopped, I got really discouraged and quit painting altogether. I know that this is not for a good reason. I should be painting for the shear enjoyment of it and the thankfulness to God for giving me a gift I can share with others. Guess I don't really have my priorities straight. sad.gif

It is nice to have this forum to vent and share and read others' struggles with their creativity too. Thanks!
PMEmail PosterMy Photo Album               
Top
Elspeth 
Posted: 24-Nov-2003, 02:58 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
Group Icon

Group: Wales
Posts: 2,216
Joined: 24-Jun-2003
ZodiacReed


female





I can SO relate to this desertrose. I too have let discouragement keep me from creativity. For two solid years I was writing most every day. But when I finished my last book, the reception by some was not what I had envisioned. It turned out to be a catalyst for discovering some familial flaws and friend's envy. That on top of being unable to find anyone interested in publishing my first book made me question for months 'why bother'. Why spend a year of my life creating something that only a few will ever read and some of those closest to me will never appreciate? So, I haven't written much at all. I have difficulty justifying spending time on something that will never yield a financial reward. For the reality is we need the money and I had hoped by now to add to the family finances.

But let me say to you desertrose, you do know your work is saleable. Don?t let a momentary economic downturn discourage you. I looked through the art thread for the first time this morning and all I can say is when your first portrait of that Native American child came up, I was blown away. All of your work is very good, but you really shine in you NA portraits. They are amazing on a computer screen. I can only imagine how much better they are in real life. smile.gif

Get painting girl! Break time is over. laugh.gif
I want to see more on that thread from you. wink.gif
PMEmail Poster My Photo Album               
Top
CelticRoz 
Posted: 24-Nov-2003, 04:19 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Roz
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 6,930
Joined: 09-Nov-2003
ZodiacAlder


female





Elsbelth! thank you so much for your kindness. You are very sweet. Thanks for taking the time to look at my artwork too.

I can relate to you totally too. While doing all the art shows, I became so disillusioned and discouraged that I felt why bother! I am like you in that I wanted to make money in doing what I love doing most. Isn't that everybody's dream? But towards the end all I ever heard was "oh, I love your artwork but I have no room on my walls" or "give me your business card and I'll get back to you." On and on excuses. I too have the problem justifying why should I spend all this time on a project that will not reap in a financial reward.

Now, when I face the blank canvas, I feel the pressure that this painting has to be the best work or I may not sell. So with all that pressure and discouragement, the blank canvas becomes all these fearful emotions instead of a welcoming challenge and a place of pleasure!
PMEmail PosterMy Photo Album               
Top
Elspeth 
Posted: 24-Nov-2003, 04:27 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
Group Icon

Group: Wales
Posts: 2,216
Joined: 24-Jun-2003
ZodiacReed


female





And I would expect the more sucessful you are, the more pressure there is. sad.gif

Yuck, yuck, yuck!!!!!!

Waving my magic wand and taking the pressure off of all of us. smile.gif

POOF!

It is now FUN again. And we'll worry about the business side AFTER it's done. biggrin.gif

How's that sound?

I do find I write best when I need to vent or have some other strong emotion that needs to spill out somewhere. Does that work for you?
PMEmail Poster My Photo Album               
Top
Aaediwen 
Posted: 24-Nov-2003, 06:43 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Celtic Guardian
Group Icon

Group: Super Moderator
Posts: 3,069
Joined: 09-Oct-2003
ZodiacHolly

Realm: Kentucky

male





Who gives a **** about making money? create it, let it collect, then if you decide to publish later on, do so. If you enjoy it, then it's worth it. You can tell it's worth creating by the reaction you get from those who do see it. I like hearing people say nice things about my writing, even if I don't always feel that I can trust it to be sencere.

*disclaimer: what comes next is not ment to turn anyone off*

I must say that I'm beginning to think you folks are getting to know me too well. I'm starting to fear that you'll start saying you like something I post here just to make me feel good, even if the piece sucks. That is part of the reason that I have nto posted anymore recently, and part of why I was so quick ti post when I signed up. When I signed up, I thought to myself, "hey, these people don't know me, they won't feel any obligation to pay me any heed because of an existing friendship. I'll post a piece and see what it gets." Then it got ignored for a month. That, I feel I can trust more than a bunch of good comments now. It's not just here where I feel this way. I've been this way for a long time. I don't mind hearing "I like it.", but I know I personally would trust the feedback more if I heard what people like/dislike, or see/hear/feel because of it. You will notice I don't often post in reply to someone else's postings here, because I often haven't thought of the right set of adjectives for it =) Diesn't mean I don't like it, or didn't pay attention (although sometimes I should pay more attention) I just couldn't find a good couple of words to stick with it. Example, OR's latest pic on the Art thread (which he said went white on him) I thought was neat, the way I the leaves looking like a red spade in the air. Wasn't sure just how to reply though at the time I saw it. so I didn't. Even this description I don't feel would fit in the context of that thread.
PMEmail Poster My Photo Album               
Top
CelticRoz 
Posted: 24-Nov-2003, 07:50 PM
Quote Post

Member is Offline



Roz
********

Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 6,930
Joined: 09-Nov-2003
ZodiacAlder


female





QUOTE (Aaediwen @ Nov 24 2003, 07:43 PM)
Who gives a **** about making money? create it, let it collect, then if you decide to publish later on, do so. If you enjoy it, then it's worth it. You can tell it's worth creating by the reaction you get from those who do see it. I like hearing people say nice things about my writing, even if I don't always feel that I can trust it to be sencere.

Aaediwen, that's what my husband keeps telling me, but I have been too hardheaded to listen!

Elspeth! Yeah, let's take all the pressure off ourselves and do what we were made to do -- create! I want to hear about what you are working on now. And tomorrow? In the studio for me!
PMEmail PosterMy Photo Album               
Top
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

Reply to this topic Quick ReplyStart new topicStart Poll


 








© Celtic Radio Network
Celtic Radio is a TorontoCast radio station that is based in Canada.
TorontoCast provides music license coverage through SOCAN.
All rights and trademarks reserved. Read our Privacy Policy.








[Home] [Top]