I've hit the "Block"

[laurav]

I want to write something new today because I bought a new notebook yesterday and would like to make use of it, but I'm struggling to find any inspiration and I'm also in one of those moods where I'm doubting the quality of my writing.

Any ideas about how I could snap out of this - poet to poet? I'm finding it really irritating.

*Munches pate on toast and ponders*

Edit: It also isn't helping matters that I have a deadline on thursday to submit 5 "contemporary" poems, and I only have 3 written. I hate writing on "demand" so to speak... Being under pressure to write doesn't do much for my inspiration problem, if anything it makes my mind feel fuzzy.

[BenJohnson]

There is nothing like pressure and deadline to kill creative thinking. Firstly don't worry about your quality, I've enjoyed your postings so far and see little to worry about.

Contemporary is such a horrible word, or at least the way it gets used what does contemporary poem mean, if it is writing today then it is contemporary, or is it the content that must be contemporary, or the style of writing, or ... so open to interpretation.

There are various games you can play to get writing. Choose a memorable moment, something you found funny or painful, then try to describe that moment to your audience in a way that make them feel like you. Think of an object write 10 words about it, then descibe the object using only those words, but don't mention the object.

There are some more ideas here http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/4-27-2005-69174.asp

Good luck.

[laurav]

Thanks Ben, those ideas look really helpful. :) It's like... I have some ideas, but I'm not sure if they'd make a good poem, whether I'd be able to write about them creatively.

I suppose I'll never know til I try though. This also might sound kind of silly, but even the type of pen I use effects how well I write. :p

[kevo the poet]

I used to use drink and drugs a lot for inspiration but find that aint the right idea...

Now i find walking a healthier way to draw inspiration! The mountains or the beach is working for me at mo.

gl finding inspiration, ps if u stuck try Topical look whats happeing at moment in world?

[laurav]

Thanks Kevo, walking is also a good idea. My boyfriend recently took me to a place called West Dean. It was this beautiful nature reserve with woodland, meadows, footpaths... It would've been ideal for some writing material. I might have to go again and take my notebook along this time!

[Yog]

I found one of the best ways to break out is just to write. Find a time every day and just write for an hour. The trick is not to care. Don't worry about how good the writing is. Don't worry about punctuation. Don't even worry if what you are writing makes sense. Don't worry about what you are writing about. Don't worry about whether to write prose or poetry. Just put pen to paper and let go. At the end of the week, go back and see if there are any little gems in the journal entries. These gems can often form the basis for poems and short stories.

[laurav]

Thank you :)

[smorzando]

I tend to write best at the wee, small hours of the morning. I take inspiration that I get during the day. When I can't write... sometimes I write a poem about WHY I can't write, even if it sounds like complete crap. It's a good warmup, sometimes.

[k2hsharpe]

haiku, senryu

they're cheap, they're easy and because there is no pressure, they're fun ...
join in the Haiku Tag thread of Ben's or grab a friend and play Skyping Haiku Co-Writes.It could well side step your Block and who knows - you might be surprised to find some of them have stand alone merit anyways. Below are two links to co-writes I did with smorzando. I'm really fond of both of them (laughing))))

http://www.thepoetryforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4887
http://www.thepoetryforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4397