Always Make A Start
Some Advice On Writers Block Or Not Being Sure What To Write
Introduction
I am creatively lucky. I can usually find something to write about, even when it is writing about not being able to write or not being inspired.
Here are some of the methods that I use to add to my prodigious number of publications on Vocal and my few anthologies on Amazon which you can find by looking for me there. I won't post a link because links only properly work for the site of the location of the the reader, which is ridiculous.
The words to the Rolling Stones' song are pertinent for me:
"If You Start Me Up
I'll Never Stop"
Always Find A Way To Kick It Off
One of my main methods is to put a word into the title of a Vocal story, then leave it in drafts and I have something to continue the following day. I may also add a few lines so the next day I am finishing something that I started.
Often I create a story in one session, although there are times when I have to take breaks and pick up later on after doing something else.
I have a Google Doc that I use to record single lines for ideas and pick them up for stories when I am stimulated enough to string the required words together.
This is an example where I heard the term, recorded it, then researched it and turned it into a villanelle:
At the moment there is just a single prompt in there plus a stylised version of my name that I am trying to take as my Vocal display name, but I still haven't figured that out yet.
Conclusion
If you have writer's block, write one word, on a page or in an online document and it means you have a starting point to continue from. You might delete the word and pick another one when you resume, but that has opened the door for you.
I leave you with a Senryū (川柳)
Kick Off
🧾📖✍️📖🧾
Now Write That First Word
To Do Naught Would Be Absurd
Write Now, Don't Be Scared
🧾📖✍️📖🧾
I always feel lazy when I do short-form stuff, which is why I have included this motivational piece for you.
Thank you so much for reading
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred and writers in Writers and other communities.
Dig For The Positives
Introduction This piece is a threading together of a few things that happened this weekend in the Vocal communities and affected me. life throws things at us, sometimes expected, sometimes not, but we do have to deal with them, and if possible take some good from them.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 years ago in Writers
Comments (7)
I am always writing, spawning great ideas in my head however time to steal away alone is difficult right now. I am in the depths of a Swedish family reunion and sneaking Vocal reads under my duvet, 😂. You're inspirational year round MikeyD.
This is a very good idea, to put down a word first.
Really impressive way in which you are wtotinh,man You are indeed so blessed to have this kinda talent
This is great. One thing I do is carry around a writing journal pretty much wherever I go. I use it for everything creative, and when I think of an idea, or a line that I would like to use (but not sure where), I write it down in there so I don't forget. That way, when I'm struggling, I can always come back to those ideas and lines.
I have found that to avoid writers' block as I start writing I jot down two or three new ideas that come along and if one does not work out right away I can start working on another,
This showed up at the right time. Currently hitting an inspirational block. Thanks for the advice!
Great ideas!