American Psychology Association
Discussion post 1: This week, we were asked to share examples for overcoming writer’s block. There is evidence that setting a writing schedule can be beneficial. It is advisable to set aside uninterrupted blocks of time. Regular writing allows for production of more work and generation of new ideas. Writing may improve with practice (American Psychology Association, 2020).
Another strategy is to prepare. More research may be indicated if you are unable to come up with something to write. An outline can also be beneficial in organizing thoughts.
Personally, I usually have to write in order to overcome writer’s block. Basically, I begin a writing assignment with enough time to go back and revisit my work a few times. I start to write down exactly what points I know I want to include in my finished product. I do not worry too much about the wording unless I have something solid in mind. Oddly enough, the wording will sometimes come to me at random times throughout the day. If possible, I jot my thoughts down as they occur and edit my work when I am able.
For my synthesis paper, I printed all the articles I chose to cite. As I read through each one, I highlighted the information that was relevant, and made notes in a notebook. When I had finished that process, I looked through my notes on each source to see where there was an overlap in subject matter. This helped me to decide which paragraphs would require more than one citation and also helped to plan the flow of the finished product. As I compare my own process to the suggestions in this week’s resources, I seem to use the strategies of preparing, incubating inspiration, and just getting it down.
References
American Psychology Association. (2020). Blast through writer’s block: Here’s how to break through the barriers that keep you from doing your best work.
Discussion post 2: When I started to do some research and reading on writer’s block it was interesting to see the contrast in opinion. I had read the book The Practice written by Seth Godin this book does not believe in writer’s block. This book will reference it as a myth with the belief that you will get through writer’s block by continuing to free write.
The suggestion it relied on was that you will need to write a lot, not always producing great work but as you continue to write it will get better. I felt that defiantly when I continue to write I do gain more confidence and do feel like it seems to flow easier, as far as writer’s block, I would disagree with him. I believe that some do struggle with writer’s block. As I read the book On Writing: a Memoir for the Craft which is a book by Stephen King, this book focuses highly on the discipline in writing.
American Psychology Association
The suggestion that was referenced was setting your own goals, for example, if the goal is to write today for 5 hours you stick to that, treat it like it is your job and you focus on that. The thought process is that you will continue to write and as you write you continue to get better. You will continue to build on your skillset and at times writer’s block was just an excuse to not write. Neither of these books believed in an actual writer’s block, the belief was more lack of dedication to the process, resources, commitment to writing.
For myself I do partially believe in what I have referenced above, I do believe there are often moments that my focus has been my biggest challenge, I find when I stay focused and dedicated to the process of writing I can typically do well with it. Secondly, for myself I do find if my environment is calm, I do best, if I prepare my environment when I plan to write in it is very helpful. I find if I continually get up and walk away from my writing, I lose focus.
Lastly just to write, I have seen it referenced as freewriting, I did not actually have a name for it. I have found for myself that if I just sit and start to write, don’t be to critical with myself, and allow myself to write I find I produce more work I am happy with.
References
Godin, Seth. The Practice Shipping Creative Work. Portfolio, 2020.
King, Stephen. On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft. Scribner, 2000.
