writer's block

[iwishiwasthere]

This site seems to filled with intelligent and creative people, so here is the question...I am attempting to complete a paper for a grad class, but have a severe case of writer's block . Any suggestions on how to get going? I only have 48 hours left to finish . Have completed the reading just cannot put my thoughts in words.

 

[Jdarg]

Just start writing down ideas- either in an outline form, or even just as they come to you. But start scribbling- even if it is nothing you would use- but it always gets the writing motor running. What point (or points) are you trying make? What questions are you answering? A rough draft can be as simple as words scratched on a cocktail napkin . So maybe you better start where the rest of us would start- with a drink! If you are a morning person, start early tomorrow- fresh brains work best.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

great suggestions....time to go to the kitchen

 

[Jdarg]

My other trick was procratination- as in clean the house. I can't form an organized thought unless there is order in the universe around me. As in, I can't possibly write a paper when there is vacuuming to be done. But it works!

 

[Mermaid]

jdarg, you're one smart cookie! I bet you turned in great papers all the time. Now let's see...if you have 48 hours you don't have to worry! 4.8 hours is when you start to worry.

I always jot down ideas and try to form it into an outline, no matter how loosely. Then I flesh out my ideas into composition.

And then there was the time when, not for lack of trying, I pulled an all-nighter. It's not that I left it to the last minute, but the writer--some drab Russian, if I remember correctly--did not inspire me. I stared at the paper and stared some more and agonized even more than that, and before long an entire night had flitted away. However, by 6:30 am I had a paper to show for it! (And you know it was miserable if I can remember the details 28 years later. ) Passed the class, too.

 

[Paula]

I was a graduate student once and wish I knew these strategies then.

1. I now use post-it notes when I have to identify and organize key thoughts for papers and I've used it for book chapters. I put key ideas onto a post it note and put it on a wall. Then I keep writing key ideas down and putting the post-it note where I think it should go in the "story line". I leave the post-its up on a wall. Then I type up the outline from the post-it notes and go from there. (I think this is a mix of strategies called mind-mapping and storyboarding.)

2. Also, a time-management strategy is to keep doing part of the project until you get to a "logical stopping point". In other words, work up until you finish the outline, finish a paragraph, finish a section, finish the first draft, whatever. This moves you forward, gives you a sense of closure with each section (which is motivating), and you don't end up having to remember where you were last.

These two strategies described above helped me tremendously in my own writing. I don't think I would have finished anything without them.

I know a therapist who works primarily with graduate students to help them get their dissertations and other papers done (she works a lot with writers block). She does her work by phone as well as in person. She's full of techniques and support for writing. Just send me a private message if you want her contact information.

Good luck!

 

[TooFarTampa]

This might work if you're female. Take a long shower, shave, deep condition, etc, and while you're in there erase all thoughts from your mind but the paper. I do a different kind of writing, but the shower thing always works for me. I think with a paper you have to know what idea you are putting forth. My AP English teacher would always tell us, "say what you're going to say, say it, say that you've said it." Try to come up with a good intro that sums up your point. (That's where the shower trick comes in.) Then say whatever it is you have to say. Then wrap it up.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

Great ideas....thanks. Rough draft is complete. Just need to let it rest beofre finishing it up.

 

[bsmart]

I love the outdoors, I always bike, hike or kayak--if I am near the water. Then while I am doing this I think and think about the topic and the thoughts usually start flowing. Also, sometimes I will read something that I enjoy reading, like Southern nature writing (Usually Janisse Ray), then while I am reading this, the thoughts start pouring forth. I listen to my iPod for a while. Also, I talk with friends, I give them my points and ask opinions and sometimes get critiques of the subject matter, that way I will know some common ground that needs to be covered so that there are no gaps in my argument.

If all of this fails remember one thing: You are your own worst critic so, thinking about things too hard at first can lead to you tagging all ideas as "crap," so if you think about things too hard in the very beginning you are assuredly going to be devoid of thoughts, which leads to further discouragement. So just scratch it off layer by layer, then you will get to the good stuff.

 

[Paula]

I also remind people to say what you really believe when you're writing. If you believe in what you're saying (rather than just doing research), you're going to be more motivated and the paper will be more interesting to the reader.