Friday, June 4, 2010

One Question Friday





Every Friday I’m going to ask a question. The questions I choose might be ambiguous on purpose. The goal is to have you answer the question according to your beliefs, where you’re at in life or a circumstance that might have recently impacted you. The only thing I ask is that you provide an explanation for why you answered the way you did.



It is my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.






A writer calls it writer’s block. A non-writer might call it uninspired, boredom—ennui. What do you do to get the cogs moving again when things feel stuck?


*My article at Sage this month
**I finished the first draft to my fourth novel, The Partridge Sacrifice. Woo. Hoo.
***photos by flickr

29 comments:

  1. I watch movies, read a great book and just let my brain wander:) Movies always help!

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  2. Pray. Freak out a little. Go on a walk. Reread a favorite book. Read a new book. Watch a great romantic movie. Read the Bible. Drive in my car and listen to music.

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  3. Good idea for a Friday theme. When things get stuck I get up from my desk and get some fresh air, garden, wash the car, make a wonderful dinner...Meanwhile, in the back of my mind I incubate and ideas grow...It's good to enjoy the precious little moments that fill up each day.

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  4. get antsy....run in the woods...read Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird or other writing books...pray.

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  5. Pray. Take a shower. Exercise. Read a well-written book. Pray. Eat. Watch a movie. Read. Pray. Work on a different writing project. Pray. Shop. Eat. Garden. Read. Cry. Panic. Pray.

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  6. I forgot: I blog and do facebook and answer emails, too.

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  7. I usually read--or re-read a really good book.

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  8. When I read the, I get inspired by it's action, and I find a place that's chock full of it. Then I get unstuck.

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  9. Pray for inspiration!! Sometimes it helps to take a step back and look at things objectively as I think about the lessons God is teaching me and how to relate them in an interesting way. Shifting gears and doing a bit of reading helps too! Have a fantastic weekend, Wendy! See you next week!

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  10. You know, I've been there and sometimes even prayer feels stilted, but I relay heavy upon the Lord and He always pulls me through. Great question!

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  11. Talk to a friend. Focus on someone else and not me, me me all the time. :O)

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  12. I'm with Diane (...she stole my answer...) I have to take my mind up and out of where I am and the best place to land is usually on someone else as I am my own worst enemy :)

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  13. Those pictures make me feel like I'm in a dream or a fantasy land :)

    I re-read what I've already written and force myself to write at least a page or two (even if I end up getting rid of it or changing it) just to get back in the flow. Sometimes, though, I'll read another book to inspire me.

    Congrats again on finishing your rough draft!

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  14. First, I panic!! Then I try and recall moments when I've been inspired before and daydream a little. The best cure for being uninspired that I've found is being near water. Ideally, the ocean, but any water will do: rain, bathtub, puddle.

    Love the pictures!
    Happy weekend,
    Jen

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  15. Not sure if there is an art equivalent for writer's block, but there are those rare times when it seems no matter what you draw, it doesn't come out right. Sometimes when I've been staring at a piece for too long, and can't think anymore about what to do with it, I just need to get away for a little while. Then, when I come back, I can see it with fresh eyes. If that doesn't work, and it still looks like crap, I just scrap it and start over. I used to do that in figure class once in a while - just turn to a new sheet and find a new angle to draw from. But overall, I just have to keep drawing and eventually I'll bounce back.

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  16. When I feel blocked, I work on something else. Right now, I feel my Christian story has bogged down to a long journal entry. But I am working on an idea for an article. I also have my blog and the newsletter I do. And I also pray. Sometimes play FreeCell, or Bookworm. Call a close friend. Read a good book ( I seem to have at least one going all the time right now.)

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  17. Interesting, I wrote on how to keep the creative well full on my post today. Using tools from the Artist's Way including The Artist's Date, I find helpful to keep my well flowing. And stopping, and just having fun with my writing. I like to play with consonance or rhyme, creating a fun phase--totally unpublishable, but it gets me smiling and my juices flowing!

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  18. You always have the nicest pictures! :) When I am stuck, I pray and work on other things around the house. I read, take a walk, and trust the Lord to release what I need to continue. Have a wonderful weekend:)

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  19. I've heard for writers-just write anyway. But I love nature and scripture.

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  20. In order to really unstick a cog, I need to look at where my story is headed. It requires some daydreaming, etc. :-)
    Usually though I don't get stuck so much as lazy. lol

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  21. Exercise, read a book, go out to a really nice dinner with my husband, basically take a break!

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  22. Go to the movies and splurge on popcorn and Diet Coke. It never fails to relieve the anxiety of being "stuck" by allowing me to relax for a couple of hours, and it has a great way of jumpstarting my creativity. :-)

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  23. I'm so stuck right now I can't even answer your question:)

    But, doing some REAL people watching helped me in the past once or twice...not anything weird or illegal that is...just everyday kind of stuff, listening for the real story between the lines.

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  24. I take a break, I read, I pray, and I talk the problem through with my husband (who doesn't offer any solutions; he just listens). And then I write again and try to not worry if it is good or not. I can always edit later.

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  25. Pray - A LOT. Read good books, journal, observe life around me, read blogs, and eat chocolate. (Okay, the last one doesn't really help writers' block, but it makes me feel better.)

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  26. Go for a walk; do anything to move my body/ I find that brings inspiration more than anything else these days.

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  27. I go for a run. That seems to be a theme here. Something about getting moving must clear the mind!

    Erin
    http://www.pattilacy.com/blog/

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  28. Having conversations with supportive people, and taking time away from my other responsibilities. I go to a coffee shop and write.

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  29. Assignment-3 All areas of the board conduct examination exams between June and July. Students who are prepared can obtain sample paper recommendations and the most crucial questions to improve their marks through independent study. CBSE Assignment 3 Question Paper Class 5 Subject matter experts have advised using a large practise set for all course assessments with solutions. Assignment exams are given to students to assess their topic understanding.

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