Writer's block
The Writer's responsibility is to his art. He will be completely ruthless if he is a good one. He has a dream. It anguishes him so much he must get rid of it. He has no peace until then...
William Faulkner
Having written films, articles, essays, reports, it has always, at one stage or another, plagued me when I have had writer's block. That moment when I sit staring at the computer screen as if it is an alien standing it's ground in a duel for battle with me. Eyeing me, daring me to drop my weapons of my imagination. The frustration builds up and chocolate beckons, serenading the virtues of itself. It is all too familiar, this battle, and I may have thrown my writing in all together
had it not been for my editor in the late 90's when I completed some articles for Who Weekly.
I remember grizzling into the phone line with him that my writing was not perfect...there was something missing...I couldn't pinpoint it...it didn't make sense...I couldn't do it...writer's block...There was a moment's silence from the other side. It felt forever, of course. He then relayed the best piece of advice I have ever had, and for those that know me, you know that I use this as a mantra when it comes to writing, and that is to just write, regardless of the block, you must continue to write, and it doesn't matter what gets written. It can always get tightened up, shaved back, or even deleted, but all that means is that what had to be expressed, was.
As writers, you do have a responsibility to your art, desires, imagination, ultimately the creativity that burns inside you causing you to feel a restlessness that can only be rectified with pen to paper, fingers to key board. It is not your responsibility to make it perfect...let your editors do that. That is their job. Your job is to write, and write and write and write. It is your job to unleash the magic that swirls uncontrollably through you. If you can trust this, then others can format it in such a way that it will make sense. Leave writer's block at your back door, and have faith that what you write will be perfect.
Stella Dimadis 2013
The Writer's responsibility is to his art. He will be completely ruthless if he is a good one. He has a dream. It anguishes him so much he must get rid of it. He has no peace until then...
William Faulkner
Having written films, articles, essays, reports, it has always, at one stage or another, plagued me when I have had writer's block. That moment when I sit staring at the computer screen as if it is an alien standing it's ground in a duel for battle with me. Eyeing me, daring me to drop my weapons of my imagination. The frustration builds up and chocolate beckons, serenading the virtues of itself. It is all too familiar, this battle, and I may have thrown my writing in all together
had it not been for my editor in the late 90's when I completed some articles for Who Weekly.
I remember grizzling into the phone line with him that my writing was not perfect...there was something missing...I couldn't pinpoint it...it didn't make sense...I couldn't do it...writer's block...There was a moment's silence from the other side. It felt forever, of course. He then relayed the best piece of advice I have ever had, and for those that know me, you know that I use this as a mantra when it comes to writing, and that is to just write, regardless of the block, you must continue to write, and it doesn't matter what gets written. It can always get tightened up, shaved back, or even deleted, but all that means is that what had to be expressed, was.
As writers, you do have a responsibility to your art, desires, imagination, ultimately the creativity that burns inside you causing you to feel a restlessness that can only be rectified with pen to paper, fingers to key board. It is not your responsibility to make it perfect...let your editors do that. That is their job. Your job is to write, and write and write and write. It is your job to unleash the magic that swirls uncontrollably through you. If you can trust this, then others can format it in such a way that it will make sense. Leave writer's block at your back door, and have faith that what you write will be perfect.
Stella Dimadis 2013
Writer's Block is a Cafe at Latrobe University.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you are doing next. Anne Warren
I have a soft spot for La Trobe University. I should go and have a coffee there. Thanks for reading. I'm looking forward to your next body of work too! xx
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