Comments on: Drano for writers: 10 tricks to get the words flowing again http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed Freelancing in the Digital Age Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:25:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The NaNo Plan – Ready, Set, Write! « Brainstorms & Bylines http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-1/#comment-34488 The NaNo Plan – Ready, Set, Write! « Brainstorms & Bylines Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:20:50 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-34488 [...] Drano for Writers: 10 Tricks to Get the Words Flowing Again by Michele V. Rafter [...] [...] Drano for Writers: 10 Tricks to Get the Words Flowing Again by Michele V. Rafter [...]

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-/#comment-1417 Michelle Rafter Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:40:09 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1417 Thanks so much - from the time stamps on your comments, it looks like you were reading all night - hope it was worth it! MVR Thanks so much – from the time stamps on your comments, it looks like you were reading all night – hope it was worth it!

MVR

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-/#comment-1416 Michelle Rafter Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:39:38 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1416 I haven't attempted writing fiction - maybe because I'm so blocked I can't even get started! - so thanks for sharing this perspective. I understand what you mean about stopping when you're in the flow - that's why I suggest putting something down on the page so the next day you're not starting from zero. I often will start a story late in the afternoon of the day before it's due and pound out several hundred words, including the lead and first couple paragraphs. I don't normally create a written outline - if it's a 500, 1,000 or even 1,500 word piece I'm pretty good about outlining it in my head. But if I have those first five or six opening graphs done, including the intro and nut graph, I can open the story file the next morning and know exactly where I am and what I have to work on. MVR I haven’t attempted writing fiction – maybe because I’m so blocked I can’t even get started! – so thanks for sharing this perspective. I understand what you mean about stopping when you’re in the flow – that’s why I suggest putting something down on the page so the next day you’re not starting from zero. I often will start a story late in the afternoon of the day before it’s due and pound out several hundred words, including the lead and first couple paragraphs. I don’t normally create a written outline – if it’s a 500, 1,000 or even 1,500 word piece I’m pretty good about outlining it in my head. But if I have those first five or six opening graphs done, including the intro and nut graph, I can open the story file the next morning and know exactly where I am and what I have to work on.

MVR

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1415 Michelle Rafter Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:34:13 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1415 I have two kids who are kinetic learners - they do best if they're able to move around, wiggle, look around, do something, while they're absorbing material, whether it's reading or listening to a teacher. Sounds a lot like what you're describing. As for baseball: I didn't start out as a fan, but 12 years of going to my kids' games has converted me. MVR I have two kids who are kinetic learners – they do best if they’re able to move around, wiggle, look around, do something, while they’re absorbing material, whether it’s reading or listening to a teacher. Sounds a lot like what you’re describing. As for baseball: I didn’t start out as a fan, but 12 years of going to my kids’ games has converted me.

MVR

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-/#comment-1414 Michelle Rafter Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:31:38 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1414 David: This reminded me of when I was still a newspaper reporter. Sometimes I couldn't drive back to the office fast enough to start writing - the words were literally racing into my head. A few times I turned on my tape recorder and dictated opening lines to myself. Other times, mainly when I was away on assignment, I'd sit in my car or my hotel room and write everything that was pouring into my head as soon as I could in order to capture it before it went away. This was all before laptops were cheap enough for newspapers to give to all their reporters or me to own, otherwise I would have used one for that purpose. MVR David: This reminded me of when I was still a newspaper reporter. Sometimes I couldn’t drive back to the office fast enough to start writing – the words were literally racing into my head. A few times I turned on my tape recorder and dictated opening lines to myself. Other times, mainly when I was away on assignment, I’d sit in my car or my hotel room and write everything that was pouring into my head as soon as I could in order to capture it before it went away. This was all before laptops were cheap enough for newspapers to give to all their reporters or me to own, otherwise I would have used one for that purpose.

MVR

]]> By: David Hayes http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1408 David Hayes Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:43:05 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1408 I mainly do longer feature writing. When I finish an interview, often combined with seeing a subject in action, at a "scene" of some kind, & am ready to transcribe, I first roughly describe the scene (clothing, environment, actions, etc). When I'm ready to write the first draft, I have several of these "scenes" already roughly written. Usually one of them is the opening. Maybe another is a scene I know will be used mid-way through the piece. I just copy-and-paste it into the first draft & begin fine-tuning. Presto, I'm not facing a blank screen, a major trigger for writer's block. In effect, I started writing the story while I was doing the reporting & interviewing. I've found this to be very effective. I mainly do longer feature writing. When I finish an interview, often combined with seeing a subject in action, at a “scene” of some kind, & am ready to transcribe, I first roughly describe the scene (clothing, environment, actions, etc). When I’m ready to write the first draft, I have several of these “scenes” already roughly written. Usually one of them is the opening. Maybe another is a scene I know will be used mid-way through the piece. I just copy-and-paste it into the first draft & begin fine-tuning. Presto, I’m not facing a blank screen, a major trigger for writer’s block. In effect, I started writing the story while I was doing the reporting & interviewing. I’ve found this to be very effective.

]]> By: J. Bentz http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1412 J. Bentz Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:38:29 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1412 I prefer any type of cognitive distraction - like throwing a baseball into a glove, for example. You can still think about your subject, but the mechanical action of throwing the ball forces your brain to be "doing" something else. That, and I'm a total baseball geek, so any excuse I can get to pull out the glove is good with me! I prefer any type of cognitive distraction – like throwing a baseball into a glove, for example. You can still think about your subject, but the mechanical action of throwing the ball forces your brain to be “doing” something else.

That, and I’m a total baseball geek, so any excuse I can get to pull out the glove is good with me!

]]> By: Style and Inspiration http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1413 Style and Inspiration Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:59:58 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1413 Hi Michelle, I love your blog! I've been making my way through all of your posts. I'm at December 08 so far and loving it all! Thanks for all of the useful info! Hi Michelle,

I love your blog! I’ve been making my way through all of your posts. I’m at December 08 so far and loving it all! Thanks for all of the useful info!

]]> By: Rebecca Laffar-Smith http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1409 Rebecca Laffar-Smith Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:40:23 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1409 I think Lifehacker's advice is about training your state. By stopping while you're still 'in the flow' rather than waiting until you're blocked when you come back to the page your mind has an easier time getting back into state. If every time you leave the page you've reached 'the end' or 'the hard part' then every time you come back to the page it's unfriendly. Still, sometimes NOTHING much works. My current novel has been 'waiting' for me for what feels like months now and I still haven't found a way to get past the block, on other projects it's just fine. In fact, so long as I avoid all thought of my novel my writing flow is wonderful. If I start thinking about the book EVERYTHING jams up. Wish there was a more literal drano for that kind of problem. lol I think Lifehacker’s advice is about training your state. By stopping while you’re still ‘in the flow’ rather than waiting until you’re blocked when you come back to the page your mind has an easier time getting back into state. If every time you leave the page you’ve reached ‘the end’ or ‘the hard part’ then every time you come back to the page it’s unfriendly.

Still, sometimes NOTHING much works. My current novel has been ‘waiting’ for me for what feels like months now and I still haven’t found a way to get past the block, on other projects it’s just fine. In fact, so long as I avoid all thought of my novel my writing flow is wonderful. If I start thinking about the book EVERYTHING jams up. Wish there was a more literal drano for that kind of problem. lol

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2009/06/04/drano-for-writers-10-tricks-to-get-the-words-flowing-again/comment-page-/#comment-1411 Michelle Rafter Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:12:46 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=3110#comment-1411 Thanks! MVR Thanks!

MVR

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