Writers Block

Writers Block
J

Jonathon

Registrant
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to take a writing class. After researching them for a decade and never pulling it off (I never seemed to have the time or cash), I finally registered for a memoir writing class on line. I am now two weeks into the class and completely frozen . . . too scared to post even though the class is for beginners. The lectures have touched on incest, and two books dealing with dysfunctional/abusive childhoods have been discussed. Running with Scissors and Kathryn Harrison's The Kiss. So the space is there for me to bring in my whole life experience yet still I am really terrified.
Part of the lecture recommended not dealing with stuff that is not fully worked through, as this takes away from the craft of writing. So I am considering going for the lighter aspects of my life which seems to make sense for now. But somehow this feels dishonnest, like I'm avoiding making others uncomfortable. Urgh.
Just thought I'd do a shout out on writers block!!
 
Jonathon,

I posted on this somewhere here who know's when. How's THAT for guidance!!! ;)

But anyway, there's a great book on this subject, as was pointed out by markgreyblue in that thread. It's Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way and I highly recommend it. Her idea is to devote time each day to what she calls "morning pages", where you just write anything that comes to mind as a way of launching yourself into more creative ways of thinking. That's not all she has to offer, but that idea is central to her book. It's a bestseller and available at a reasonable price on Amazon. Many writers have found it to be incredibly useful.

Much love,
Larry
 
Johathon,

It's odd this subject should come up now. I was listening to the morning show on one of the local radio stations yesterday while driving to work. They were interviewing a doctor who has authored several well known fictional works through the years.

One of the hosts asked him this very question on writers block and how he found his work affected by it.

His answer was astounding to me. He said "I refuse to have a problem with it. When I'm doing surgery, it's not acceptable to suddenly come down with Doctor's Block. Why should writing be any different than any other profession?"

I thought to myself, "Hmmmm..."

Just thought I'd throw that into the mix...

Lots of love,

John
 
Jonathon,

I would not delve into this water at the moment. Like therapy and everything else involved with healing from SA, take baby steps here. Especially if it's work other people are going to read. That's tantamount to disclosure and it's a big deal.

I wrote a screenplay based on, but not historically related to, my own experiences as a kid with the perp, etc. It was extremely therapeutic, tho also very very painful to write. It was the catalyst that sent me into therpay and the journey of healing I have been on for four and a half years now. But no one read it but my wife, and anyone else who did had no idea it was based on fact, and my life. And the truth is the script is not there yet at all as I haven't worked through enough of my stuff to see objectively. So I put it down to come back to another time.

You don't have writer's block, you are not ready to disclose your story. And you don't have to.

lots of love,

Alex
 
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