Breaking The Block

[Nikolai]

How do you guys break writers/photographers block? I know I'm forcing it, but how do you get over that?

Any advice would be wonderful.

[Daniel Bates]

Writer's block... hmm, interesting you bring that up, because I'm experiencing it right now.

Photographer's block? I haven't run up against that yet. Just do creativity assignments, like taking one lens out for a walk (preferably a specialized lens, like a macro or a wide-angle or a long tele) and seeing what you can come up with.

[smoothassilk]

Writer's block... hmm, interesting you bring that up, because I'm experiencing it right now.

Yea your kidding right, LOL!!!

[Daniel Bates]

Writer's block, not poster's block.


I've been stuck in the middle of a short story for several months now. Argh....

[brad]

http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill/image/51034734

[CaptainTom]

Find some one elses photo you like and try to duplicate it. It will lead to ideas of your own.

[brad]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

I've been stuck in the middle of a short story for several months now. Argh....

Hell, I've been stuck on a couple of stories since before you were born.

[bburton]

Originally Posted by Nikolai

How do you guys break writers/photographers block? I know I'm forcing it, but how do you get over that?
Any advice would be wonderful.

There is no such thing as writer's block; it's all in your head. Writing, like any human activity, e.g., photography, playing the piano, running a marathon, requires much practice to attain mastery.

In other words, the best (and some say the only) way to learn is by doing, and doing...and doing. It's hard, and more often than not, dry and tedious -- far more perspiration than inspiration.

Get yourself a journal. Write for 15 minutes every day. Quality does not matter; subject matter does not matter. Just write; sooner or later those words already within will be flowing.

[Gordon]

I started journaling a few weeks ago for much this reason. Stopped using my camera for about 6 months, was uninspired, bored.

Now I cant keep up with the ideas. I have some notes about it in my blog. The artist's way morning pages is working quite well for me. Some might think that writing, to get inspiration for photography, is a weird notion. Words for pictures. But I find just sketching out the idea in words, makes me then think of the next refinement of the idea and then the next and so on.

The writing I'm doing isn't that interesting, but it clears the decks to let me think about what matters and what the next step along the road should be.

[JPalmer]

I second Tom's post...

Look all over the 'net for other people's work and try to find ways to do it better. Improve on their technique and you'll start to find things of your own to play around with.

And imagination is the key to getting out of the funk....been there, done that.

[Gordon]

I'd really recommend listening to the two podcasts at this link on the idea of a creativity ritual. (Episode 13 & Episode 14) There is some great stuff in there in terms of ways to be more creative and move through barriers & blocks.

[TXhummer2]

Melatonin 3mg, take 2 just before bedtime/sleep for a week. Your dreams will push you back into creativity land.

[Vita]

I haven't shot anything in about 3 weeks....I want to....but somthing keeps holding me back.

[brad]

Originally Posted by brad

http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill/image/51034734

What, did nobody click the link or did no one want to comment? LOL

[Daniel Bates]

I tried to post something, but my fingers wouldn't stop shaking.