I often become stuck when writing. I wont even have an idea in my head just an urge to write but nothing to write about, or so I believe. Something that often helps me find something to write about is to write words on a sheet of paper. Not in poetry form; more like a list. The first words that come to mind. I just write them. Let me give you an example of what I mean by writing words:
dancing, reassurance, customary, visiting, fishing, compensation, glare, spin, self, passive, aggressive, crystal, bright, market, pop, delightful, nip, dip, drip, mark, surveillance, together, sulking, etc.
Something kind of like that. I often get stuck when thinking of words, or write the same word twice. When I get stuck here, I page through the dictionary, looking up the last word I wrote even if I already know the meaning and kind of thumb through there. The last poem I wrote, from this date, was called "Sun-dried Rose Petals." I was having a hard time writing so I made a list. The last word on the list was 'whale' so, I went to the dictionary cause couldn't think of any other words and page through the 'W' section when I came upon the word 'widow'. That inspired a small something but not much to go by so I went back of my words. Turned out the word 'rose' and 'window' was on the list and that inspired me to write the poem. Sure, the poem may not be all that good; but I wrote it, wrote it again and became satisfied that it was as it should be.
So if you ever get stuck when writing, try out this form of self inspiration. It helps me more then it hinders me and I often find a word I didn't know before from the dictionary. If you don't have a dictionary, a good place to find words is really any book. I'd try to avoid books I've already read or books I want to read. Try looking through quotes as well. I hope this helps!
Felix
Whenever I become stuck with words or are having a moment of writers block, I take a sheet of paper (or two sometimes) and just start writing words down, whatever comes to mind.
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Wonderful!!
I love this idea! I've had horrible writers block lately...I can't seem to come up with a decent topic at all. Nothing strikes me as worth writing about. But I really like this idea...I think maybe it'll give me the inspiration I need. Thanks for the great write
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The contents of the dictionary are the building blocks to wonderful pieces of literature.
I think everybody should look through the dictionary for inspiration.
Good column! -
I wonder how anyone could write without the help of a good dictionary! Maybe because I'm a non-native speaker of English, so I'm always clutching it - checking and re-rechecking words, even if they are words I know: yes,I would readily agree with you it's been long since I last had writer's block.I have piles of sripts I'm yet to post!
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Best column all week.
Thank you for posting this column which contained some really useful advice. I often go through spells like that where I want to write but nothing will come out. Am going to give this a try today. Again, thank you. -
this is a true and it's an exercise I often use and do; maybe select 10 words unfamiliar to you, like maybe vapid, foible, xenolithic.....anything and just work them into a poem. You can still choose a familiar theme like love or death or relationships or just something off the cuff maybe.....it is a good way to improving your vocab and making your poems use fresh(er) word choices and not just the obvious or hackneyed. I don't think there's any excuse for not having a dictionary if you're serious about writing, but if you're hard up for cash maybe, or just starting out and can't afford a monster up-to-date dictionary (trust me thy usually cost upwards of $40 in Australia or 25 quid I paid for one in England - dunno about US or elsewhere) dictionary.com would definitely help, if you go there and type in a word, you get the definition the syllable/pronuciation (English) and you can even browse similiar sounding words that are listed next to it which leads to a surprising amount of unfamiliar or catchy soundy words that might 'bolster' your poem's originality by using uncommon, unusual or just interesting sounding language. It aso contains a thesaurus for those that have certain words stuck in their head, like me: renegade/vortex/whirlpool and others, so it's a good chance to stop yourself from being repetitive or 'samey' for sure; a massive plus and a good way to getting wordwise, you don't have to go crazy, just gives you an opportunity to be diverse or different with your word selections, because some of them sound great and would definitely give your oral side of your poems some wicked pazazz!! Heh! Good one for sharing this, lots of respect and good luck with your own writing!
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Thumbing through the dictionary can be a fun way to pick out a title for a poem, too. All the best with your writing.
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Felix, thanks a lot for posting this column. It's very helpful and informative. It's great to read something like this every now and then. Thanks for sharing your advice here!
Jeremy0826
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Thanks for the very good tips.
M.R. -
You have given some very good tips here. Some newspapers carry a WORD OF THE DAY and those are some real cool ones. I'd like to add that those who really want to increase their vocabulary should check out newspapers such as hindustantimes.com and timesofindia.com where they do have a word of the day. Secondly, studying one new word each day maybe from the net or a thesaurus or a dictionary, that also will be helpful. As a teacher, these are a few things I can think of at the moment. A nicely penned column.
Best wishes,
Charishma
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inspiration
i've never though about this, i use to just look around sometimes and try to write about what i see -
=)
thanks! i think i'll try this right now. ive had a block for MONTHS now. -
Great advice!
What's funny is, although I've never done it for the sake of writing poetry, I actually rather enjoy reading the dictionary. It's just one of my little quirks, and how I learn new words. (For instance, it's how I discovered the word aureate, which I ended up using in the name of my blog, Aureate Simplicity.)
Dictionaries are your friend. I must consider using this technique sometime! Thanks for writing this column!
Goldmare
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this is a great idea - thanks so much!!!
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how did you know...? i needed to read this. thanks for the words of wisdom! i have a strong relationship with my dictionary, but there is always room to take relationships to new levels! thanks, again!
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this is actually a really good idea, I'll try it next time I am stuck or when I jsut want to try something new..thanks
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I like this idea a lot!!!! I think I will bookmark it, to help me when i am stuck! Good advice and thanks for sharing!
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saw a gentleman
forcedly jaunting words upon a pad
at a public table next to a restaurant
I figured him for a writer
must have been what he was doing
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Advice that's good to hear again.
I've heard about writing down words as they stream from your mind, before, from my teacher. Even though English teachers are right about this kind of stuff, it helps to hear it from a fellow writer that's not a teacher (please tell me you're not a teacher! *just kidding*). Thanks for writing this column, it reminded me that writing isn't easy, but very possible when you have a detour to get around a writer's block.
Thanks Again,
Sal
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