Block That Kick!

Skylark King · Post by **Skylark King** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:41 pm

So the question of the day is as follows:
How do you overcome that ever persistant bastard known as writer's block?

I've hit a bit of a block right now in one of my non-webcomics (like I have anything that IS a webcomic right now) and am looking for advice.

Lois McMaster Bujold (Author of the Miles Vorkosigan books) says in her afterword for Shards of Honor that when she's hit a block she tries to figure out what the worst thing that can happen to any given character at that moment and runs with it. She may scrap it later, but it gets her moving in a direction.

Anyone want to share thier cures?

LAGtheNoggin · Post by **LAGtheNoggin** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:54 pm

No idea when it comes to writing, any help would be nice in that respect, I get that block all the damn time. The worst case scenario trick is quite a good fix actually, I've used that a few times, however things tend to get awfully depressing if you use it too much...

As for art, I've always found drawing a few life studys or copying another's art work helps immensly. If that falls through I either 3D model some random objects or make some textures - mostly mindless stuff but at least you're using the tools of the medium, eventually something will click.

If all else fails I just grab my camera, sketchpad (just in case), go outside and do something completely different (get drunk, pass out, wake up under a park bench).

BRP · Post by **BRP** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:55 pm

"The best block is don't be there" =P

It doesn't work for school papers, but I usually jump for the non-sequiturs. Sometimes they really do go somewhere. I really don't ever run out of ideas; block for me is just those ideas not coming out.

CapitanG · Post by **CapitanG** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 10:28 pm

Writer's block and stage fright are exactly the same thing. I'm serious. And there's a perfect quote for situations like these -- "The only thing to fear is fear itself." I know, it's probably been drilled into your heads to the point of clich

Ly · Post by Ly » Thu Jul 08, 2004 10:44 pm

I do a bit of both writing and drawing and I use different methods for different types of block.

For artist's block, I usually just grab a random scrap of paper and start doodling, letting my mind kind've wander. Or I start to brainstorm while I'm doing something else, like feeding the dogs or doing the dishes. Often ideas for what I can draw for my comic will pop into my mind or things I want to draw will come to me if I'm not actually near anything to sketch with.

My biggest cure for Writer's block is music. I like to listen to music when I write because it sets my mood to what I need to write. Gothic-type music for a creepy scene... techno or rock work well for actions scenes... you get the idea.

Music works well when Im' just sketching things, too. I find a lot of inspiration in music.

Phact0rri · Post by **Phact0rri** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:22 am

when that ole bastard comes running I do what any violence loving pacifist does....

I RUN FOR COVER!

All in all I figure there is no cure, you can try as you might but for me its gonna be days before I'm back. usually I'll just do somthing else and recharge the comicking fluids in me brain.

BOMC · Post by **BOMC** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:38 am

when I get writer's block, I do one of 3 things.

1) i think of something interesting that has happened to me or one of my friends, and build on that
2) I get inside my characters' heads and think, "hmm, what will I do next?"
3) I look at what time of year it is; if it's summer, then I think of what my characters might do in the summer. Likewise for all the other seasons, or holidays.

Rkolter · Post by **Rkolter** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 4:06 am

I tend to listen to music for hours and daydream. Usually that breaks my writer's block.

Sortelli · Post by **Sortelli** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 4:17 am

Working always cures my writer's block. When I'm supposed to be doing something else, it is easy for me to find the time to daydream up comic scripts.

Phact0rri · Post by **Phact0rri** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:12 am

rkolter wrote:I tend to listen to music for hours and daydream. Usually that breaks my writer's block.

music is bad for me. even when I'm playing music to be more productive when I'm drawing it always gives me new ideas and I'll have to break out the keyboards or somthing.

I'm terriably tragic.

Sippan · Post by **Sippan** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:28 am

I just go outside and walk around the block. *badrabom kshh!*

[Studio laughter]

No, I was only joking. I live in a house in the suburbs, we don't have blocks. *badrabom kshh!*

[Studio laughter]

LAGtheNoggin · Post by **LAGtheNoggin** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:35 am

*stabs sippan with block*

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:51 am

There, I hate to have to say that again, but I have no writers block.
If I don't know what to write about, I just shuffle through my official comic-ideas book (the one with nice covers) and find idea.
Sometimes my dialogues don't go smooth, that might count as block. But then I still keep writing, and then later just rewrite dialogues (usually at night - at night I never have creative problems).
Sometimes, though, my art is kind of buggy - more than usual, that is - and ends up being not the way I wanted. Then, I just leave it for another time.

One good way of beating a block can be brainstorming - gather a couple of friends and go with free associations or continue-my-story.

Warren · Post by **Warren** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:09 am

rkolter wrote:I tend to listen to music for hours and daydream. Usually that breaks my writer's block.

That sounds like my workday.

Alschroeder · Post by **Alschroeder** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:30 am

Read something totally unrelated. It almost always gives you ideas, and it also takes your mind off it and lets your subconscious do its thang.---Al

Sippan · Post by **Sippan** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:48 am

LAGtheNoggin wrote:*stabs sippan with block*

*badrabom kshh!*

[Studio laughter]

Alaina · Post by **Alaina** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:41 am

I'd take a character and just start describing him/her. The quirks, good and bad traits, and physical characteristics. Then once I'd gotten into the character, I'd try to expand and make up strange situations and imagine how the character would react to everything. Usually that breaks a block.

Vorticus · Post by **Vorticus** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:43 pm

I don't get writer's block much, once your characters develop enough you only need to nudge them and the ideas fall out. When I do get it, I stare at a wall until I get an idea.

CJBurgandy · Post by **CJBurgandy** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:52 pm

Last week Neely and I were standing in Line to get books signed by Chirstopher Moore. At one point I told her I hadn't thought of a punch line for the next day's comic and I needed help thinking of one. Some how we became side tracked and just started gabbing like we normally do. About 45 minutes into our conversation the guy in front of us turned around and said "How could possiblly have writter's block!? Do you know how entertaining it's been just listening to you two talk about things most people don't even talk about in private places!? Either you have no shame or have no idea just how funny your life would be for other people to read about." I handed him a business card.