• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Writer's block :( (1 Viewer)

mmoonniiqquuee

New Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
6
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
So far i've written just over 1000 words of poetry, but now im at a halt, completely idle and suffering a severe case of writer's block.

Boo, I'd rather have gonorroeah .
 

BronwynKate

Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Messages
326
Location
Boronia
Gender
Female
HSC
2001
Writer's block is a dreadful disease.

It really takes away your love of life.

Speaking of love...

Why don't you write your Journeys story around that, or a poem?

Or write about new life and resurrection, which is appropriate for this time of year.

Write about something you believe in. And then describe your journey from that belief to another belief.

Read read read lots of poetry and writing advice books.
 

vanush

kdslkf
Joined
Oct 10, 2004
Messages
547
Location
Sydney, Australia
Gender
Male
HSC
2006
Self-referential stuff get zero and plus its already been done by Charlie Kaufman.

Not really. but u get the message.

writers block = lack of research
 

alysha-tb

New Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2005
Messages
3
Location
hornsby
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
vanush said:
Self-referential stuff get zero and plus its already been done by Charlie Kaufman.

Not really. but u get the message.

writers block = lack of research


see i couldnt disagree more
sure, you need the research to give you the general basis of the poetry, but alot of it is skill and emotion, regardless of how clinical it is. you cant blame anything or anyone on writers block in poetry, you just have to wait. or else it comes out forced and obvious
good luck though
 

kami

An iron homily
Joined
Nov 28, 2004
Messages
4,265
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
vanush said:
writers block = lack of research
I think its less a lack of research and more a lack of direction - when you aren't certain where to go it can really slow you down.

mmoonniiqquuee said:
So far i've written just over 1000 words of poetry, but now im at a halt, completely idle and suffering a severe case of writer's block.

Boo, I'd rather have gonorroeah .
One thing that I've found effective, is to just write - whatever comes to mind no matter how banal or outright rubbish because it at least gets you moving and just maybe something useable will pop out.
 

666_blessings

Hi! I'm Alan...
Joined
Aug 26, 2004
Messages
664
Location
left of the middle
Gender
Male
HSC
2005
I'm with Kami. I don't think writer's block is a sign of a lack of research at all. If anything, it's possibly the result of too much research and not enough time spent focusing on emotion. Just write whatever comes to mind. Maybe spend an hour writing a stream of consciousness and see what eventuates. Have fun!
 

mmoonniiqquuee

New Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
6
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
Its definately not a lack of research, I know exactly what I'm doing.. and I've already written a fair bit. I think exams are just rendering me idle.

Here is my proposal;
Extension 2 written proposal

[1]‘Industrialisation, modernisation and globalisation are paving the way for an almost complete consumer monoculture. Authenticity is becoming more obsolete. Modernity creates homogony and it is evangelised through the gospel of global advertising’.
The main concepts I have decided to probe into through my work is the effects of modern globalisation, commercialism, consumerism and Americanisation on the individual. That is, from an entirely introverted and reclusive perspective which ascertains awareness and scrutiny on a personal level. It will explore themes of simplicity versus complexity, the disparity between the intrapersonal and exhibitionism, loss of identity and the rise of conformity, the superficial against authenticity and the value of monetary power versus the intangible powers, such as willpower, in today’s society. Through poetry, my chosen medium, I will emphasise the contrast between the solace, tradition and harmony of local life as a binary opposite of the tyranny and profitability of capitalism. Having said that, my work will not possess an entirely negative nor one-sided view of economic and environmental globalisation; it will shift from glorification to condemnation throughout my writings.
This is for two main reasons, firstly because I understand and appreciate both the advantages and disadvantages of globalisation and because my poetry is primarily going to reflect my thoughts on it, it would be unfair to slander something which I appreciate as much as I resent, something that has improved life in ways irrefutable. The second reason for this is because I feel that to precisely assess an individual and first hand response to issues such as globalisation and commercialism, one must learn to embrace and not reject it. That is, to steer away from the pro/anti globalisation stance which many people firmly swear by, to stand back and view the issue not neutrally, for this is inherently impossible, especially through the medium of poetry, but merely as a whole, and therefore more accurately.
The issue of globalisation has been chosen for several reasons, all of which pertain to the other subjects I am currently studying and thus providing a clearer, more perceptive and enhanced knowledge on the matter. My extension English 1 course has dealt with ‘retreating from the global’, and despite being studied in a different context, it has nonetheless advanced my awareness on globalisation and infinitely inspired me as a topic that validates the life in which I am presently living and breathing, hence telling me two important things; one, that I will not become uninterested with my chosen content and two, that my response will be informative as well as creative and intuitive.
I have divided the course into four main stages, allowing myself to thoroughly understand it, manage my time effectively and therefore execute the required outcomes to the best of my ability. They are;
Stage one- Speculation and investigation, finding an idea that is original and appealing, yet feasible. I would like to have this stage of the time line completed by the beginning of the 6 week holidays at the latest.
Stage two- Processing my work, creating it as well as documenting it. This is an ongoing process, however, in order to prioritise myself efficiently, I should have had at least 10 poems by the beginning of term one, with the 6 week holidays being my starting point for the actual writing of these first poems.
Stage three- By March, I will have over 20 poems not only drafted but polished and hopefully by May-June I would have fulfilled the criteria, giving me time to polish and refine my poems, creating a layout and obviously gaining feedback.
Stage four- Understanding of my work as a whole and as a result, the completion of my thesis. By July-August, the feedback I have gained on my work, will allow me to draft and complete my thesis, with my major work already completed. This not only gives me ample time to reflect on my work, but will also aid in the writing of my thesis as it will not be rushed at the last minute, therefore allowing me to critically respond to my own work.
This time line has created a prioritisation which has eased me into the course and instead of finding myself faced with a lingering pressure or allowing myself to be snagged down by the physical and mental strain it could potentially cause, I can honestly say that I have begun to approach this module with the greatest possible conviction and desire to succeed.
I have commenced my research yet have not ventured further than the internet as of yet. Despite the latter, I have found the internet to be a great source of information on globalisation and its adjoining concerns (with the irony of the use of technology as a means), and have used a great deal of websites to explore not only the arguments for and against globalisation and the different perspectives on it, but also styles, forms and structures of different types of poetry. The sources used to gain this information can be located in my journal.
In addition to the study of this topic in Extension 1, my Visual Arts major work has also followed the same path as I am currently working on a satirical, post-modernist artwork which parodies the effects of globalisation, in particular Americanisation, on Australian culture (or lack of). This thematic linkage will be none other that advantageous for me and has served as a great source of inspiration for my major work. Other minor inspirations, such as a list of writers, such as Australian Tim Winton, artists, such as Banksy, poets, such as Robinson Jeffers, Marianne Moore, Seamus Heaney and William Carlos Williams, lyricists and even philosophers can also be found listed in my journal.
Poetry came about as the chosen medium primarily because I perceive it to be the freest form of expression. Because my theme deals with an entirely personal response on something that is anything but ordinary, yet has been socially accepted as ordinary, a poetic medium is desirable as it is highly emotive and thus more engaging than any other medium. I find that this will not only enhance and link my theme, but also be easier for me to create with a person of more artistic strength and creativity than the intellect and patience required to compose a critical analysis. Free verse poetry is what I am aiming to refine as after much research I have learnt that sounds play a less drastic role in free verse poetry by [2]‘creating pleasing, varied patterns and emphasising the semantic elements of the poem’. This encapsulates exactly what I am aiming to achieve, that is, not an entirely rhythmical nor linguistically pleasing series of poems, yet an almost disjointed and unadorned work with abundant simplicity, therefore allowing for a more scrupulous engagement with all audiences and thus a more flowing arrangement of not only words and sentences, but the thematic concerns of globalisation, modernisation and Americanisation within my work.


[1] http://www.parallaxonline.org/efeb04.html Globalisation and the Buddhist Perspective. Quoted byJennifer Hearn


[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry PoetrySound plays a more subtle role in free verse poetry by creating pleasing, varied patterns and emphasizing or illustrating semantic elements of the poem. Euphony refers to the musical, flowing quality of words arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way’.
 

Mongke

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
268
Location
the bustle in your hedgerow
Gender
Male
HSC
2005
umm, well normaly when i cant write i take a pen and paper with me everywhere and i go. that way when ideas or lines come to me i can write them down. its not that im building on my work, its that im keeping my brain active and am actually writing something.
 

BronwynKate

Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Messages
326
Location
Boronia
Gender
Female
HSC
2001
Wow!

You can certainly write a good proposal when you put your mind to it.

I am also interested in those things.

Will read it over more carefully and see what I can do to help.

Some students are right about writing, writing, writing. I think we can get too self-critical at times and forget we ever had pleasure in writing. This has happened to me more times than I care to think of right now.
 

mmoonniiqquuee

New Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
6
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
Hey thanks heaps.
Its a bit wordy.. but hey.
Yeh I have a notebook and a felt tip pen (irrelevant that its felt tip, but my compulsive love for stationary had to expose itself sooner or later...) that I take with me evvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvverywhere, I jot down random ideas/words/themes and then usually can write an entire poem just on that... My poetry is very 'me' though, you get the idea of how I write once youre into your second page or so, this means it often gets a little difficult for me when im trying to keep my originality. Does that make sense?
Meh.
I'd post it on here but... I wouldnt. Haha, heres a bit of my style;

'...Like an unwavering plague of flies eager to seek refuge behind alluring glass barriers,
Droplets of holy spit smack my pane and dribble
Down into oblivion,
Beneath speedy tyres at lumbering pace
Reviving from my slumber, I am drier than the monotony of colourless tears
As their tedium becomes dull and vapid to gaze at,
Yet is an unrelentingly cold and perpetual reminder that the world is unhappy.'

I think once my half yearly exams are over I should be fine. Until then, I'll just have to keep avoiding my 4U teacher when she passes me in the year 12 area :D

Cheers.
 

d.i.m.e Babii

New Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
21
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
Thats when your logbook comes in handy...

I scribble anything which comes to my mind in that book.

Then ideas keep flowing!




<3 d.i.m.e Babii
 

super katie

BEHOLD!
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
1,173
Location
The second star to the right
Gender
Female
HSC
2004
inspiration is a goddamn pain in the ass and it takes its sweet time. You're already alot further along with your MW than I was at this time in my HSC year, just leave it for a while and come back to it when you're refreshed.
 

BronwynKate

Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Messages
326
Location
Boronia
Gender
Female
HSC
2001
Wow.

I do like your style, Monique.

You create clear and memorable images and your words convey them so well.

I could pick apart and criticise later on but that's for another draft.
 

Tulipa

Loose lips sink ships
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
1,922
Location
to the left, a little below the right and right in
Gender
Female
HSC
2005
there is no such thing as writers block, it's just a case of being too hard on yourself.

just write and even if its crap, edit the hell out of it later and turn it into something good.

but first you need to write... anything at all.
 

666_blessings

Hi! I'm Alan...
Joined
Aug 26, 2004
Messages
664
Location
left of the middle
Gender
Male
HSC
2005
passion89 said:
Don't worry, all you need is a muse. Anyone willing to take their clothes off..?
I've always assumed that writer's block was just your muse going on vacation without giving you prior notice.
 

Tulipa

Loose lips sink ships
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
1,922
Location
to the left, a little below the right and right in
Gender
Female
HSC
2005
Argonaut said:
I hate Writers' Block. It's the bane of my existence since I take my writing seriously. And I didn't even do Extension English ...
you're just being lazy, seriously write anything down and you can edit the shithouse out of it to become brilliant.

just get it out first. don't be so hard on yourself.

what course are you doing at uni? i wasn't aware that you were a writer
 

Tulipa

Loose lips sink ships
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
1,922
Location
to the left, a little below the right and right in
Gender
Female
HSC
2005
Argonaut said:
Trust me, I've got an entire notebook of about 30-35 pages on stuff ... for a short story. It's getting it into words on paper that's the problem. I'm stuck with a word limit (I don't actually know what it is, only that there is one), so I'm thinking I should run with an intro narration or something. So far my only line is "My name is Marissa ... and I remember everything ..."

Also, I'm stuck on character names. As the legendary Joss Whedon says, "I haven't written for days at a time purely because I couldn't think of a character name; it has to capture who they are."

And I'm doing Business/Economics. What the hell does that have to do with creative writing? The answer is niente, nothing. I just do it for fun. And the college; there's a short story competition in third term ...
ahhh okay

i just find that character names will come to you, in the meantime just title them girl 1,2,3 etc. it works :uhhuh:

so start editing mister! look through what you've got and make sense of it in your head.

also sounds like you're doing sci fi (not that i don't enjoy it i just can't write it) so i can't really offer any other help.
 

passion89

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
905
Location
Outside your house
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
Argonaut said:
As the legendary Joss Whedon says, "I haven't written for days at a time purely because I couldn't think of a character name; it has to capture who they are."
Ohhh I love you and your sig :) Joss Whedon is GOD!
 

passion89

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
905
Location
Outside your house
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
Argonaut said:
"Sure, you can use aliens to represent the unknown. But I don't use aliens because I believe we're the only life in the galaxy, and besides, we see too many aliens, and they're all made of latex. And I really do need to stay away from latex."
FIREFLY :D I have the box set and Serenity is the best :)
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top