Writer's Blocks

I am always amazed when people say they are experiencing a "writer's block." Not that I can't sympathize; I definitely can. Although I do a lot of writing both in SL and in real life, I have often experienced times when I just couldn't find the right words or the right ideas to put on paper (or on computer, as the case may be). I am actually experiencing that right now almost halfway through my second novel (and I also experienced it at about the same point in my first novel). There are some "tricks' that can help, one of which is definitely not thinking too hard. The other is to keep writing no matter how terrible or silly you think it sounds and then worry about going back to edit later.

But there is something I thought of recently that I wanted to share on this blog -- the difference between "writer's block" and "writer's blocks." Everyone knows that writer's block is when an author is stuck and unable to continue writing a certain piece or even unable to begin writing anything. But the term writer's blocks is a totally different thing. In fact, writer's blocks can actually help a writer get over or through a writer's block. Writer's blocks are those tools a writer uses to build a story. Jenaia Morane, a Second Life friend, author, and writing instructor recently hosted a Story Quest that allowed participants to "search" for clues that were actually story prompts or blocks that they could use to create a story.

The common blocks that writers use are dialogue, setting, characterization, etc., but they can use more specific ones, too. When I was writing "Cloudy Rainbow," I used many of my own personal experiences at college working on the student newspaper as well as almost all of my experiences with my cat whose death was the impetus for my writing the book. I truly believe that fiction writing is more authentic when it is based on fact which, of course, is fictionalized but still has a stronger impact on the reader than if it is based on purely imagined characters and plots. As a block for writers, true experiences are important along with interests and feelings. If you like what you write about, if you believe in it, if it evokes emotion in you, it will do the same for the reader. Maybe not as personally, but you know, we all do try to relate to the characters we read about. And most of our experiences are similar. Don't we all experience the loss of a loved one? Don't most of us fall in love at some point in our lives? Don't we all grow in so many ways through our lives as the main characters grow in each chapter of a book?

So if when you experience a writer's block, try to think of how you can use writer's blocks for inspiration. Your writing will start to flow again before you know it.

Change is hard but necessary

I just turned 2. That may seem a little strange considering I am writing this blog and have a daughter who is 4. But the explanation is simple. My real birthday is in May, but I also celebrate a birthday or what is termed a "rez" day in Second Life which I joined two years ago. It's nice having a second birthday, and this one has the added benefit of not making you feel older because you can look as young as you want depending on how you dress and design your avatar or character.

For my second year in Second Life, I decided to change my appearance slightly. Most people probably haven't noticed, but I have a new skin and shape. I didn't yet make any drastic changes like wearing a new hairstyle, but I may consider that. It's really much easier and less expensive to do a makeover in Second Life than in real life, but it's strange that one can feel so reluctant and fearful to do so. Just like in real life, change isn't easy but it can be beneficial.

In some parts of the world, the seasons don't change. In some places, the clocks don't either, or they change on different dates. But little changes happen to everyone every day. We may still get up on the same side of the bed and take the same route to work, but some days we may feel more tired than on others (especially when we are adjusting to the mini jetlag of changing the clocks as some of us did this weekend), some days we may be happier or sadder, and some days we just would rather stick our head in the sand like some camel and not bother getting out of bed. But all of us need a change. If we don't actually get away on vacation, we still need a break from routine whether it's escaping through a good book or visiting a virtual world.

What changes have you made lately or would like to make in your life? Even the little ones count. If you're afraid, just remember that change is hard but necessary. There are many things we have little or no control over, but, for those we can change, the power requires choice. We have to want to make the change and be prepared to face the result. It need not be drastic. It can be subtle like my Second Life makeover. The main thing is that it makes you feel better just trying something new, and you don't need to do it to please anyone but yourself.

So don't wait until a birthday or other special day. Celebrate yourself today and make some changes now.