Or maybe even every second. I have a writing project on my desk. I’m stuck. Can’t think of new idea, can’t think where to take the ideas that I do have. Should I sit here until I have some kind of breakthrough? I’ve already been doing that, for an hour, with no tangible results. Judging by appearances that method is not working, even though it has in the past. BUT–there’s this program at the library that I told everybody I would attend. It starts in 15 minutes. Should I abandon my temporarily stuck project? Or stick to it till I muddle through, knowing I can fix it later.? But, if I’m not getting anywhere, aren’t I just embedding the sense of failure and ineptitude? If I go out, be amongst people, learn something new, will I then come back refreshed and, likely, with new ideas or a new direction? Or do I judge solely on what’s most important to me. Well, it’s all important to me. New experiences, as well as my work. As a writer, as human, as someone who wants to “have it all”, I make these choices constantly. Do I choose wisely? I can’t say that I always do. And I won’t tell you what I’ll do this time. What choices do you make in your life. Which ones further your writing. Which ones bring you the most joy? Can they be the same? Yes, or no?
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Lida Bushloper 
I think you should put a time limit on how long you will sit without producing anything new. Maybe fifteen minutes. Maybe less. That might jolt your brain into coming up with something. Or just write whatever comes to mind for ten minutes–that also works for some. I’ve also been hearing that getting up and moving around, especially outside, can help with a block. I walk for ten minutes every morning before I start writing. I think about what I could write about next in my current project. It helps. Hope tomorrow will be a more productive day for you!
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All good suggestions, Jan. I used to walk back and forth to lunch when I was putting together the first edition of my poetry book, Fault Lines. That really helped to work out the kinks. Both the walk, getting outside, as well as the break from the desk. Thanks for reading and commenting. Lida
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Choices, choices, choices! So many to make. I’m with that right now with my writing projects. There’s 4 I want to work on and I have to decide. I’m like you – but they’re ALL important to me! Sigh!
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Lucky you are to have such choices! Better than to be devoid of ideas. How do you choose? I had a coach once who advised this: lay all the projects down on the floor. Close you eyes and mix ’em up. Without looking, put out your hand and touch one. That’s the one. Put all the others aside. Well, heck, it’s one way to address the problem. That time, at least, it worked for me. Thanks for reading and commenting, Trisha.
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Hey – I really like that idea! Almost like drawing a rune for reflection & tapping into your own intuition. I’ll have to remember this one!
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Yeah, this coach, Jo Nelsen, taught me a lot of good techniques during my sessions with her. I still check in from time to time. Her coaching was not so much about the craft of writing (I have many resources for that) as about the psychological and emotional blocks I had somehow developed. Sometimes the answers were so simple, yet I needed an outside observer to point them out and figure out a way through or around. It was money well spent. Lida
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