tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post2927152337683773031..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Defeating the Blank Faced MonsterJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-14952964565662450462013-02-21T09:59:41.782+10:002013-02-21T09:59:41.782+10:00Hi Kayleen
So easy to leave prayer to the last res...Hi Kayleen<br />So easy to leave prayer to the last resort but I agree that it should always be our first resort. <br />I've done some painting and love the way that the work takes on a life of it's own. It becomes a process of discovery (how every much pre-planning one may have done). Rewriting is so much easier than trying to change or correct a painting (especially water colours) - I think there is the same sense of discovery with writing.<br />It's wonderful to have that process in tune with the Spirit.<br />Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-11391787025445070222013-02-19T16:25:16.740+10:002013-02-19T16:25:16.740+10:00I am glad prayer was at the top as I really feel t...I am glad prayer was at the top as I really feel the inspirational source should be God’s leading (being Christ followers and all) and to be honest nothing else works for me. <br /><br />I like your points Jenny. I learned a while back through painting and the 'blank canvas syndrome' that sometime we just need to make a start and see what eventuates. If it feels forced I prefer to come back another time. <br /><br />Unfortunately sometimes the inspiration hits me in the middle of the night but whatever the time, it’s all fun when it flows!<br />Kayleen West - Children Author/Illustratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18102357041523253163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-70946934803364370142013-02-15T21:12:08.726+10:002013-02-15T21:12:08.726+10:00Hi Nola
Exercises like that are a lot of fun and, ...Hi Nola<br />Exercises like that are a lot of fun and, as you say, you never know what will come out. In my current course we given a scenario (sitting at you computer when you feel a cold wind on the back on your neck) & then told to write down the first three words that came in our head and write a story based on that. It was a lot of fun. <br />JennyJeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-74193305122917542252013-02-15T17:36:04.984+10:002013-02-15T17:36:04.984+10:00Hi Jenny - Great post. Prayer is so important. I...Hi Jenny - Great post. Prayer is so important. I also find that when I don't know what to write about, using good old writing prompts helps. For example, four of us from our Quirky Quills group got together at my place recently. One of the women had brought two black rag dolls with her as she felt God saying that it might prompt some writing. So I added to that and suggested the rest of us find something in my house to add to a still life. We ended up with the two rag dolls, a book entitled "Movies of the Thirties", a coffee cup with camels on the front and filled with teaspoons, and a watercolour painting of a courtyard and barn door. What a disconnected collection! But I set the timer for 15 mins and everyone had to just write something based on those objects. When we read out our pieces later, it was amazing what people came up with - two gripping stories about prejudice, a couple of moving poems on social justice issues, and a humorous piece on Peter Jackson's revisioning of Gone With the Wind with hobbits. Okay I confess that last one was mine - I'm always the loopy one. So I would highly recommend that kind of activity to get the creative juices flowing. You might be surprised what comes out! Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-38219359141408155552013-02-15T12:00:50.618+10:002013-02-15T12:00:50.618+10:00Melanie - that is fantastic. Just as Penny was say...Melanie - that is fantastic. Just as Penny was saying - the blank page became an opportunity to do something different and in your case something better.<br />I know what you mean about wasting time on the internet - Facebook is a fun way to connect with people and learn about things but it is and can be a big time waster for me too. I need to work on the balance.<br />All the best with your writing projects.<br />JennyJeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-91430088324112086832013-02-15T11:57:42.103+10:002013-02-15T11:57:42.103+10:00Hi Penny,
Yes, I really think that is the key - to...Hi Penny,<br />Yes, I really think that is the key - to write anyway, not worrying about how good it is. The more you write, the more you learn about writing and as you say, even if you don't use the material, that time was not wasted. <br />I often find that once I get started I get myself into the right frame of mind and it does start to flow. <br />What a great thought that the blank page is an opportunity - I think it was for me on Wednesday. I didn't end up writing what I had planned. I wrote something completely different instead, something I wouldn't have written if I hadn't felt blocked. The other idea is still there, it just gets more time to peculate and mature.<br />So with God's grace - it's a win-win situation.<br />JennyJeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-30362817215051057792013-02-15T11:56:11.930+10:002013-02-15T11:56:11.930+10:00My self-published book is the result of a writer&#...My self-published book is the result of a writer's block. I was writing another potential novel, and got a little stuck about where to go in the story, so I started Rosewood. I actually thought the original novel would be better than the one I have now published.<br />I know if I not on the internet I will write more. But I do spend time online to connect with other writers who in turn help my writing skills.<br />MELMelanie Carter Winklerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08011605544837222792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-1496837638517102182013-02-15T08:40:27.444+10:002013-02-15T08:40:27.444+10:00Hi Jenny,
I think I use most of the same strategie...Hi Jenny,<br />I think I use most of the same strategies you suggest too! But the blank page has remarkably less fear to it than it used to. I actually like blank pages! <br />If I find myself stuck then I just write anyway, knowing that what I write will probably be terrible, but tomorrow I am likely to be in a different head space so I can read what was written (or not) and try again. No thinking/writing on a subject seems to be wasted, even if the actual words are not used.Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-68368847144211566402013-02-14T22:39:46.468+10:002013-02-14T22:39:46.468+10:00That's so true Rita - rewriting and editing ar...That's so true Rita - rewriting and editing are so much part of being a writer but part of it is knowing when to write and when to edit. I have a tendency to keep re-editing the same bit over and over in the middle of the writing process so am learning to let that go a bit, just write and do the editing later. I like to plan ahead a bit but then, just like you, my characters take me to places I hadn't considered before so it's a bit of both. And I agree, praying is vital. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-48111246810428763892013-02-14T15:14:50.624+10:002013-02-14T15:14:50.624+10:00I love what you said about not being able to edit ...I love what you said about not being able to edit a blank page, Jenny.<br />I find what works for me is simply writing out my story...even if I don't know where my characters will take me. So, I'm a real "pantser". Of course this means lots of rewriting, but that's fine, A writer has to do that anyway. I research along the way and that often means I need to change the plot a bit, since my idea of history is not always how things really were.<br /><br />And praying constantly is the key. We want to write what pleases the Lord, besides our publisher!Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-17097883126301049632013-02-14T13:21:27.767+10:002013-02-14T13:21:27.767+10:00Glad to lay down some supplies for the future Anus...Glad to lay down some supplies for the future Anusha :) And great that you haven't yet faced this particular problem. <br />JennyJeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-53693827923084544372013-02-14T12:52:36.603+10:002013-02-14T12:52:36.603+10:00Well done Jenny for finding so many strategies for...Well done Jenny for finding so many strategies for Writer's block. I have to say that so far I haven't faced writer's block since I have an opposite problem where I have so many things and books I want to write but never sufficient time for it all.<br /><br />But no doubt Writer's block will hit me one fine day - and then I know where to look for inspiration. Bless you for stocking my Writer's larder. :)<br />AnushaAnusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-46918899661107532672013-02-14T08:51:05.585+10:002013-02-14T08:51:05.585+10:00Thanks Jo-Anne. I so agree, being on the "sam...Thanks Jo-Anne. I so agree, being on the "same page" with God can make all the difference. Going ahead with what I had planned for the last couple of months, though a great idea, just didn't feel "right" and I knew I couldn't do it justice last night - yet after I prayed, this new topic flowed naturally. And instead of the "self-talk" of "I just can't think, my mind is mush", the ideas began to flow. <br />Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-82188421671397776972013-02-14T08:44:42.575+10:002013-02-14T08:44:42.575+10:00Thanks Cher - I like your idea of taking a power n...Thanks Cher - I like your idea of taking a power nap. That can definitely be a great recharger. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-13388016121778363142013-02-14T08:43:22.410+10:002013-02-14T08:43:22.410+10:00Taking a break certainly can work especially when ...Taking a break certainly can work especially when deadlines aren't looming. Thanks for your comment Haddock :)Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-77308492370656466802013-02-14T07:08:03.212+10:002013-02-14T07:08:03.212+10:00Your first point is definitely a key one for me, J...Your first point is definitely a key one for me, Jeanette. When I pray, I can then know God and I are on the same 'page' in what I am writing, and that's a huge help. But your last point re dealing with that negative self-talk is so important, too, and closely related to the first, I believe. I also find that just writing and not being too concerned first off what comes out is a good idea. But well done, Jeanette, in getting this post out there in the midst of everything!Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-49996806571710215422013-02-14T02:37:32.630+10:002013-02-14T02:37:32.630+10:00Wonderful post. Your list covers most of my own te...Wonderful post. Your list covers most of my own techniques. Most of the time, a little break with my tarot cards can get me out of the slump I call writer's block. But if I'm really, really down and out a little nap can recharge my battery and get me back in the game.<br />Cher Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15817089871390887197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-55314546715362008482013-02-14T00:13:25.422+10:002013-02-14T00:13:25.422+10:00When this thing (writer's block) hits me, I ju...When this thing (writer's block) hits me, I just shut down everything and start all over again the next day :-)Haddockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11573906991666088642noreply@blogger.com