tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7759228971956136240..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Overcoming Writers' BlockBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23478018935041098292011-10-19T21:26:12.505-07:002011-10-19T21:26:12.505-07:00I find that when I'm stuck trying to write som...I find that when I'm stuck trying to write something, I go back and look at what I just wrote. Then, instead of moving the story forward, I take the same scenario and write it in another character's perspective. This allows me to keep "those creative juices flowing" and also develop other characters and make more than just the main character dynamic and round.easy website builderhttp://www.besteasywebsitebuilder.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37023088986959776492008-02-16T22:19:00.000-08:002008-02-16T22:19:00.000-08:00you blog also got link at:http://fapanet.com/?p=47...you blog also got link at:<BR/>http://fapanet.com/?p=47#comment-2<BR/><BR/>with more about writer article and informations. Thanks for your information and it really usefulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69277654883446239982008-01-10T10:43:00.000-08:002008-01-10T10:43:00.000-08:00jbryant:Well, I THOUGHT they were supposed to writ...jbryant:<BR/><BR/>Well, I THOUGHT they were supposed to write. Pretty naive of me, isn't it? Maybe that's why I was able to actually get that scene written -- I'm an ornery cuss who lives to be contrary to everyone else!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67573669802685678392008-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:002008-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:00mcewan: Hitlery is a woman? I'd like to see some D...mcewan: Hitlery is a woman? I'd like to see some DNA evidence of that.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18213716208703592702008-01-09T18:11:00.000-08:002008-01-09T18:11:00.000-08:00--I write a daily humor service for radio that has...--I write a daily humor service for radio that has to go out at 4:30 a.m. or phones start ringing from all over the world. --<BR/><BR/>Any stations in Louisville use your stuff? <BR/><BR/>When I am serious about writing, I find that doing nothing except kicking it around in my head helps kill writer's block. <BR/><BR/>Also, if you need some severely snarky funny to get you in the mood, read this:<BR/><BR/>http://www.buffalobeast.com/122/50mostloathsome2007.html<BR/><BR/>41, 9, 2, and 1 are my favoritesRobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923161793979910495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14868232402979906392008-01-09T16:51:00.000-08:002008-01-09T16:51:00.000-08:00gwangung is right: deadlines are the ultimate writ...gwangung is right: deadlines are the ultimate writer's block killer. I write a daily humor service for radio that has to go out at 4:30 a.m. or phones start ringing from all over the world. Somehow, writer's block has never stopped it from going out in 15 years. Neither has flu, my mom's funeral, my father's death and a nearby tornado that caused us to hide in the closet for two hours, writing jokes on laptops. <BR/><BR/>For those who do suffer this problem, George Kaufman had the best advice: type your name on the paper (this was back in the paper and typewriter days). He said there's nothing so intimidating as a perfect blank page of paper, but as soon as you mess it up with your name it isn't blank anymore, so you can continue ruining it with your writing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21967924023953777422008-01-09T16:25:00.000-08:002008-01-09T16:25:00.000-08:00"(1) Find a beautiful, willing woman. ...I've spen..."(1) Find a beautiful, willing woman. ...<BR/>I've spent the last 30 years looking for (1)"<BR/><BR/>Ah, now I understand your "Hitlery" crack a few days back - resentment of all women.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16454705537448776982008-01-09T15:54:00.000-08:002008-01-09T15:54:00.000-08:00I have a two-step approach.(1) Find a beautiful, w...I have a two-step approach.<BR/><BR/>(1) Find a beautiful, willing woman.<BR/><BR/>(2) Have wild sex with said woman until totally exhausted.<BR/><BR/>I've spent the last 30 years looking for (1), but as soon as I find her I intend to write up a storm.<BR/><BR/>Okay, I actually write a lot and have a debut novel under my belt. I like my method anyway.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62769757786544563892008-01-09T13:01:00.000-08:002008-01-09T13:01:00.000-08:00well, when i wrote the only block i ever had was g...well, when i wrote the only block i ever had was getting the lead <B>PERFECT</B>. you hear me, <B>PERFECT</B>. nothing less than - <B>PERFECT</B>.<BR/><BR/>after that, everything came easy.<BR/><BR/>yes, goddamit, <B>IT ALL CAME EASY. YOU HEAR ME, EASY. AND PERFECT.</B><BR/><BR/>did i mention i no longer write?<BR/><BR/>---------Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6778752284606818142008-01-09T10:57:00.000-08:002008-01-09T10:57:00.000-08:00constance: Wait, there are writers groups in which...constance: Wait, there are writers groups in which writers actually sit around writing? And on their own projects, not a group project? That seems really weird to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16028114091394101022008-01-09T10:33:00.000-08:002008-01-09T10:33:00.000-08:00I've got two main options for writer's block, at l...I've got two main options for writer's block, at least for news story/feature writing:<BR/><BR/>1.) Write whatever sections you're comfortable with, or put down the quotes to be used in the story first, and then fill in the areas around them later, as you figure out some sort of unifying theme and/or lead for the story. You sometimes get a story that doesn't flow, but at least you're getting something down on the keyboard to work with (I suppose for comedy writing, the equivalent would be to take whatever premise/key scene/key gags you've got to start with, put them down on paper and then try to fill in around them to come up with a coherent story that makes those scenes and gags work).<BR/><BR/>2.) Sit around putting things off by surfing the Internet or some other time-killing activity, until you're right up against deadline, and the adrenaline kicks in from the panic realization that you've only got 45 minutes to put something coherent into words. Fear of punishment/job loss can be a fabulous way to focus the mind and motivate creativity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29264894098531934732008-01-09T10:00:00.000-08:002008-01-09T10:00:00.000-08:00I get Reuters Bloch...is this normal?I get Reuters Bloch...is this normal?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91531175106789479902008-01-09T09:25:00.000-08:002008-01-09T09:25:00.000-08:00Thanks for writing about this. I'm glad to know I...Thanks for writing about this. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who experiences this. I write scripts and music and encounter writers block in both realms sometimes. My advice: walk away from it. I think the mind works on problems or ideas subconciously when one is actively doing something else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61282386934619180362008-01-09T09:17:00.000-08:002008-01-09T09:17:00.000-08:00I had my first evening with a writers group the ot...I had my first evening with a writers group the other night. I was having trouble working through a scene and was doing my usual humming, wild gesturing, cussing, growling and hitting things. My friend at the same table asked if I couldn't agonize quietly. I am very proud of my virtuous restraint in not replying "No, and if you can, you're not a real writer." Which may have been more true because nobody actually seemed to be writing. They ate, drank, socialized and read over their laptops, but they didn't write.<BR/><BR/>The true answer, which I did give, was that this wasn't a problem when I could pace around with a cigarette in my hand. Unfortunately, I quit smoking. But yeah, for some reason, going for a long walk also works to burst the dams for me, too.<BR/><BR/>But I got that scene worked out and written and cleaned up a few more. So even if everyone else is quietly not-writing, it seems a productive timeslot for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67798077523190873072008-01-09T08:45:00.000-08:002008-01-09T08:45:00.000-08:00Elayne Boosler, Jennifer Fisher, Rob Long, Bill Ke...Elayne Boosler, Jennifer Fisher, Rob Long, Bill Kelly I’ve got just one word for you, <I>lantzman!</I> <BR/><BR/>Sadly, I find writing to be my preferred method of procrastinating through <I>life block</I>. Some find sex to be an effective cure for writers’ block. I have been blocked since 1993.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60384625315370263132008-01-09T07:32:00.000-08:002008-01-09T07:32:00.000-08:00Love the comments! When I'm blocked in a manuscri...Love the comments! When I'm blocked in a manuscript, I'll write things like, "Jack gets mad. Victoria does what she wants anyway. Something else happens. Blah blah blah." I highlight those sections in yellow so I remember to go back and fix them later. Eventually, enough blahblahblahing dissolves the block and words again flow.<BR/><BR/>It's like mental Draino.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15490789635821913862008-01-09T06:32:00.000-08:002008-01-09T06:32:00.000-08:00Curing Writer's block? One word, Ritalin. On Rit...Curing Writer's block? One word, Ritalin. On Ritalin I can focus down to a single fruit fly hovering about my head for four hours, it's wonderful!<BR/><BR/>I start off by getting up at 3am, take a shower and head to Denny's where by the third sip of coffee that stuff has kicked in and away I go, fully concentrated, extaordinarily focused and highly productive, as long as there's no fruit flies around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24812101077835186712008-01-09T05:05:00.000-08:002008-01-09T05:05:00.000-08:00Personally, I'm a big fan of a brisk walk around t...Personally, I'm a big fan of a brisk walk around the block. Also, standing in front of the sink, doing the dishes strangely works for me.<BR/><BR/>I think it's the pressure of having to write <I>something</I> when I'm in front of the keyboard that causes my particular form of writer's block. Anything that gets me and my mind away from the computer for a bit takes the pressure off.<BR/><BR/>And by the way, you couldn't have posted a picture of Phoebe a few frames <I>after</I> that one, could you?<BR/><BR/>What? I'm just saying...Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15655961501491108336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57223400008404595882008-01-09T00:46:00.000-08:002008-01-09T00:46:00.000-08:00In the 1970's, I wrote banal Norman Lears sitcoms....In the 1970's, I wrote banal Norman Lears sitcoms. When stuck, I'd have Barbara and Julie and Schneider curse and do things wildly scatological. Read 30 years later, it's funny. Unless your wife or kids find it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57870990308912089452008-01-09T00:29:00.000-08:002008-01-09T00:29:00.000-08:00Ooh! Ian Gurvitz has a blog? He's one of those wri...Ooh! Ian Gurvitz has a blog? He's one of those writers I've noticed on particular episodes I like of Becker.<BR/><BR/>I find with sitcoms writers are usually so good at retaining the character, tone and whatever else about the show that it's not easy to find a pattern in terms of writers I like. So it's nice when I see a name I've noticed I like (like I can guarantee just about any episode of Cheers by Phoef Sutton I'll love - and of course yours and David's, ken!).<BR/><BR/>I had a hefty writing job last year (not in Hollywood sitcom league but a writing job nonetheless) and I tackled writer's block by devoting a ridiculous amount of hours writing in a frenzy right at the beginning but not <I>telling</I> anyone I had done that. So, effectively, I managed to bank a few scripts on the sly. <BR/><BR/>I kept that reserve for the days when I just couldn't get a word out, so nobody ever noticed I had writer's block.<BR/><BR/>Not sure that would ever work with your deadlines and it's not really a tip for curing writer's block. Just a cheat.Bitter Animatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06617537816971588380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70455898788187127432008-01-09T00:05:00.000-08:002008-01-09T00:05:00.000-08:00Great, worth the price of admission alone...and th...Great, worth the price of admission alone...and there's always the P.G. Wodehouse one, 'Apply seat of pants to chair.'blogwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07362291687463326731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13854796780466673602008-01-08T21:19:00.000-08:002008-01-08T21:19:00.000-08:00Deadlines.Deadlines ALWAYS overcome writer's block...Deadlines.<BR/><BR/>Deadlines ALWAYS overcome writer's blocks.<BR/><BR/>Even if it's nothing but crap, there's usually enough there to re-write, re-shape and re-mold into something useful.gwangunghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00743626777447874196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88869340990334147942008-01-08T20:29:00.000-08:002008-01-08T20:29:00.000-08:00I'm of the "Don't think about it" school. Find a m...I'm of the "Don't think about it" school. Find a mindless distraction (Easy) and goof off until something pops. Porn is good. So are computer games. A couple rounds of SCRABBLE or an hour of ROLLERCOASTER TYCOON on the computer, frees up the creative part of my head.<BR/><BR/>Often a nap works too. I find solutions and fresh ideas often popping during that lazy, half-awake/half-asleep moments after a nap. A Director once asked me for a complete rewrite of a play I'd written that he was going to stage, that involved restructuring it from three acts to two, and a bunch of other major changes. I put it out of my mind for two weeks, and then woke up one morning with the whole new, restructured draft flowing out of my head. I was seeing it all done in front of me. When the play was staged six months later, it basically was the play I watched in my bed waking up that morning.<BR/><BR/>If I don't have the time to put it off to simmer, I just write it as is, badly, sleep on it, and then go back over it and fix it. Often I just write it straight, with no humor at all, and then, the next day, the jokes are there, telling me where they go.<BR/><BR/>But as I get older, I find writer's block less of a problem, as I developed the faith that my own creativity is always there, and can't dry up. Having the confidence in myself to relax and just let it flow is the real secret.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81756757697181591252008-01-08T20:19:00.000-08:002008-01-08T20:19:00.000-08:00I found the perfect way to end writer's block. Q...I found the perfect way to end writer's block. Quit writing and take a lousy corporate job. (sniff)Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923161793979910495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46048592212436835342008-01-08T19:48:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:48:00.000-08:00Ken --Thanks very much for responding to my email ...Ken --<BR/><BR/>Thanks very much for responding to my email and collecting these strategies from working writers.<BR/><BR/>I've printed this post and taped it to the wall so I can refer back to it when I'm writing. Or <B>not</B> writing, more likely.<BR/><BR/>-- Your Protagonist<BR/>www.gaudypatter.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com