Today's blog post is a guest post written by one of our Invisible Poets moderators Donna Smith. It contains some great advice and encouragement for all writers about a topic with which we are all very familiar.
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I have seen a few post recently where people are having writer's block or losing inspiration.
As writers this is something we all go through and every one of us can relate to this feeling. Our brains sometimes need a switch off. We can't be constantly thinking of the next poem or project as we have other 'stuff' going on too.
Therefore we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves when it happens. Here are my top tips to deal with it when it does happen.
1) Don't stress or worry when it happens. Remember it happens to us all and it's only a temporary state.
2) Do what works for you. If reading others poetry helps to re-ignite the spark, all well and good. If not and reading others brilliant pieces is making you feel worse, switch off your phone and don't engage for a while and give yourself a break.
3) Ask for a prompt or a title. When you have the theme given to you, half the job is already done.
4) If you do want inspiration go to Matt Elmore pinned post at the top of Invisible for all the exercises. There are loads of different themes/exercises that may set you off on a specific poem and it may be a style you've never tried before. They also lead you to the wheelsong blog which is full of useful tips to help with your writing. These exercises have helped me to come up with a few poems and some have been my best work.
5) Re-visit your own old work and correct spelling mistakes and grammar. This way you are at least doing something constructive with your writing. You may even see that a word needs adding or a different sentence would make it better. You could even end up with a completely different poem at the end of it.
6) Delete, tidy, organise your work. Put your work into categories, genre, etc so that if/when an opportunity arises for a competition or publication for a specific type of poem, you can quickly see what you have got in that field.
7) When you can, tune in to Live Poets Society with Steve Wheeler on Invisible Poets. UK time 8pm on Fridays and new from today 8pm on Tuesdays with Matt Elmore and Brandon Adam Haven. Listening to other people's work being read out is a massive inspiration. Sometimes just hearing a certain word can set you off on your own journey.
8) Going to go back to number 1. Just try not to worry. Know that we have all been in the same boat at some point and we understand how you are feeling.
If anyone else has any more tips, please feel free to add in the comments section below. Happy writing. Xx
Donna Smith
Image from pxhere used by Creative Commons licence
Wheelsong poetry and Invisible Poets has certainly helped me overcome some major writing hurdles. This is such a helpful blog definitely going to be using the helps and tools you've suggested. Thanks Steve, Donna and Matt.
ReplyDeleteIt never easy to overcome a blank slate when it all fades away… your advice is wonderful Donna, and it is just a temporary state. Folks often stress when this occurs, yet forget the fun aspect of what we do. Keeping it fun, relevant, and relatable maintains the fine balance we navigate as writers! Great article Donna!
ReplyDeleteSound advice and some of the same tactics I have used previously.
ReplyDeleteReally valuable and intelligent advice Donna. It helped me a lot and the discussion in the comments afterwards. You broached a difficult subject affecting us all at times. It takes courage and honesty. Hope you get your voice back soon!
ReplyDeleteTerry Bridges 6/12/2023