Dead Ends, Part 3: Guest Post by Robert Hruzek

November 26, 2008 · by Joanna Paterson · in

This post is brought to you by my good friend Robert Hruzek.  It’s a blogging experiment based on a 3 part series published simultaneously at 3 different blogs.  Read on!

[Note: This here post, as it says right up there on the label, is Part 3 of a 3-part series (finally!). The topic is “Dead Ends”. To read Dead Ends, Part 1 or Dead Ends, Part 2 (highly recommended, if I do say so myself), please click on one of those cute little links.]

The Curse of the Deadline

Have you ever faced a writing deadline, and found yourself completely at a loss as to what to write? Do you break out into a cold sweat when facing a blank computer screen?

Are you frustrated that you and your muse never seem to have the same working hours? And what about Mary Lou? (OK; I made up that last one about Mary Lou.)

Well, take heart, Bubba; you’re not alone. Rest assured these and many similar situations have faced every writer who ever lived since the art of writing was first invented sometime around the 4th millennium.

Yup; I think we can all agree that sufferin’ from writer’s block is a lot like the fella who took this photo must’ve felt. You can’t go right, left, back or forward. All you can do is come to a complete stop, and then Bubba, you’re stuck!

So you’re probably askin’ yourself, “Alright, wise guy; what am I supposed to do when I hit a dead end while writing?”

It’s a fair enough question, and just to demonstrate how smart aleck I am, I’ll give you my answer in words of one syllable. Are ya ready? Get out your pencils folks, ‘cause this is gonna be worth writin’ down. OK, here it is:

You… stop (sound of coming to a screeching halt).

A Simple Technique

Hey, I’ve been there. I’ve spent literally hours sitting in front of a screen or piece of paper and agonized over just what the heck I wanted to say. We’ve all done it, right? But I ask you; why do we put ourselves through that?

I’ll tell ya; although I’m not the most experienced writer out there (far from it!), one thing I’ve discovered is that the best thing I can do when the ol’ muse takes a coffee break is to take one myself. That’s right; I get up, move around, read the paper or a favorite book – hey anything that will jog those little grey cells will do the trick.

Personally, I’ve found that reading a favorite book or playing a game with Mrs. MZM is a great way to get my mind out of the circular rut it’s in. It never fails; while I’m busy doing something else, sooner or later it all clicks (sound of clicking noises), and then suddenly the whole thing falls into place!

This post is a case in point. Up until the moment I started actually writing, I had no idea what I was going to say. I mean, it’s not that I was rushed; I had almost a month to work on it!) But lo and behold, in the process of doin’ other stuff, one day it just… hit me! (sound of dull thud)

Hey, if you’re like me (and sincere condolences if you are) then once that happens, you’d better get me in front of a keyboard, ‘cause Bubba, whatever’s in there is comin’ out! (sound of terrified scream)

So if you find yourself suffering from a bit of writer’s block, then in my opinion, one of the best things you can to do is (and you can trust me on this) stop trying. Go do something else. Let your subconscious mind do its thing while you keep busy (or heck; even catch a nap). You’ll be surprised how such a simple thing can completely change your writing life!

Trust me, it really works!

What About You?

Have you ever experienced writer’s block? What did you do? How long did it last, and what was the trigger for how you broke through (assuming you did)? Care to share your favorite block-busting techniques with the rest of us?

We’d love to hear ‘em! Just take a moment to pop ‘em in the comment box. We’ll leave the light on.

This is part 3 (finally!) of a 3 part writing experiment inspired by my friend Joanna Young. Looking for the other two parts of this experimental blog series? Hey, no problem! Just follow these links:

Dead Ends, Part 1 (at Middle Zone Musings)

Dead Ends, Part 2 (at Scrambled Toast)

Dead Ends, Part 3 (You just read it, Bubba!)

Photo: Dead End, by Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek

Robert Hruzek is an ordinary fellow with an extraordinary sense of the absurd. Apparently back when talent was being allocated, he missed his helping of propriety and ended up with a double dose of a sense of the ridiculous.

Fortunately (and before his head exploded) he found relief from the dreaded SHINE (Seeing Humor In Nearly Everything) Syndrome through his writings at Middle Zone Musings.

Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, folks; he’s feeling much better now.

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