Writer’s Digest says creative lollygagging is the cure for writer’s block - By Melinda Carroll
Writer’s block. Every writer experiences it. Staring at a blank notebook or computer screen, waiting, waiting, for the light bulb to go off over your head. Waiting for that brilliant idea that will be the next great American novel. How do you combat writer’s block? How do you make those brilliant ideas form in your head and find their way onto the page?
Michael J. Vaughn states in an article for Writer’s Digest that creative lollygagging is the cure for writer’s block.
“Picture yourself as a satellite dish. The way a dish receives signals is a decidedly passive activity, but nothing comes in until the equipment is properly charged and opened to the universe. A few years ago, ensconced in one of my "brewing" modes—done with my last novel, waiting for the next to come a-knockin'—I decided to take my dish to the beach and open 'er up…
If you subtly stimulate your other senses—in this case, tactile (the glass) and auditory (the ocean)—you can take the "edge" away from your conscious, purposive mind, return the satellite dish to a state of active passivity and open yourself to the forces of serendipity. And if you come to the beach for frosted glass, you'll also get ideas for your story, slipping in along your peripheral vision.”
(Read the full article, which includes a creative lollygaggers to-do list and the coffee house ritual).
Now quit staring at your blank computer screen, get to lollygagging and be creative. Your next great novel, and Noveltown’s, could be outside literally lying on the ground.
Michael J. Vaughn states in an article for Writer’s Digest that creative lollygagging is the cure for writer’s block.
“Picture yourself as a satellite dish. The way a dish receives signals is a decidedly passive activity, but nothing comes in until the equipment is properly charged and opened to the universe. A few years ago, ensconced in one of my "brewing" modes—done with my last novel, waiting for the next to come a-knockin'—I decided to take my dish to the beach and open 'er up…
If you subtly stimulate your other senses—in this case, tactile (the glass) and auditory (the ocean)—you can take the "edge" away from your conscious, purposive mind, return the satellite dish to a state of active passivity and open yourself to the forces of serendipity. And if you come to the beach for frosted glass, you'll also get ideas for your story, slipping in along your peripheral vision.”
(Read the full article, which includes a creative lollygaggers to-do list and the coffee house ritual).
Now quit staring at your blank computer screen, get to lollygagging and be creative. Your next great novel, and Noveltown’s, could be outside literally lying on the ground.
Labels: Bakersfield, Literature, Noveltown, Writer's Digest, Writing
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
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Lollygagging... I love that word. So fun to say!
"lollygagging" he.
I need to get out and do some creative lollygagging myself!
That word is fun to say...
sounds like you're choking a lollipop
When I would get caught up with myself writing and need to 'imagine' the characters, I would naturally lolligag. It's really a combination of finding something relaxing and meditating on the subject--letting the characters come to life in your brain. That point of almost falling asleep I find as one of the most creative. And if you're imagining characters at that point, it's almost like the dream comes alive. And then you write about it...
I like what the writer says about hiking, kayaking, and even staking ground in a coffeehouse...
I personally just drink jack...that's how I get papers done...it's a little sad...
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