Sunday, 4 December 2011

Blogging Block



The computer is on, the Word document is open and a blank screen sits in front of me.

A voice inside my head says: “Well go on then – type something.”

I answer that voice: “I don’t know what to type.”

Another voice speaks – it is Captain Paranoia:


“Ha ha ha! You have no stupid ideas for your stupid blog – it’s over! The Plastic Mancunian is no more. HA HA HA HA!”

I reply: “It’s just writer’s block – bugger off!”

I am a realist striving to be an optimist so I won’t be beaten by a touch of blogging block. I’ve written all sorts of nonsense on this blog – why can’t I do it again?

Something will happen.

All I need is some inspiration. I close my eyes – and rack my brain. It is devoid of ideas.

Where did they all go? I claim on this very blog to have a superb and weird imagination. There must be SOMETHING in that vast creepy universe that I can write about.

Something…

Anything…

Nothing!

Nothing at all!

Bugger! Is Captain Paranoia right? Is my alternative persona fatally wounded?

Will the Plastic Mancunian disappear into the ether?

Not if I can help it. I click on Windows Media Player and hit a random tune to see if that gets the creative juices flowing.

Supertramp – Sister Moonshine

Mmm – shall I write about my favourite Supertramp songs?

Bugger! I've done that!

Next song; Dream Theater – Under a Glass Moon.

Mmm – shall I write about my favourite Dream Theater songs?

No – not many people out there know about Dream Theater and I may find myself ranting about the state of music again – and I’ve done that.

Then I remember a book I bought called “The Writers Block” – a small cuboid book packed full of ideas to inspire writers (which I guess I am – a plastic writer perhaps).  I open it at a random page:

Spark word: Waiting

Bugger – I’m waiting for inspiration; that’s a frustrating spark if ever I heard one.

Crap – I’m stuck.

Captain Paranoia resurfaces:


“You may as well give up now…and delete the blog while you’re on.”

Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am struggling because I have run out of ideas.

I’ve written 344 posts and I can’t write one more – about anything!

Anything!

Writer’s block – my imagination won’t talk to me. What have I done to it?

Next song: The Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love

I remember that song – from my youth. I liked that song – it brings back memories. Good memories.

A spark.

A massive spark.

Memories and music.

That’s it! That’s what I’ll do – I’ll trawl my music collection and select songs from my collection. It is vast – there are too many songs.

How about a song a day?

How about 31 songs – a song a day for an entire month – and stories about my life at that time?

Too much for one post – but what a great idea.

Captain Paranoia – get back in you hole. I can now write 31 posts – maybe for January.

Count them Captain Paranoia - 31 posts!!!

Captain Paranoia: “Doesn’t help you for December though – idiot.”

Yes it does. I can write a post about writer's block.

NOW GO AWAY!!!!

Inspiration can be found from the most unlikely sources. If you suffer from writer's block – write about that – and listen to some music - ideas will come.

Inspiration is out there for everyone. It’s just a matter of finding it. Thanks to the Buzzcocks ...

I start typing:

The computer is on, the Word document is open and a blank screen sits in front of me... 

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16 comments:

  1. Mind Of Mine4 December 2011 at 23:55

    I know this feeling well. Earlier this year I had some serious blogging block. Weeks went by when I wouldn't post.

    I decided I didn't want my blog to get dormant and I didn't want to lose any followers so I decided to do one of those blogging challenged.

    30 days, 30 topics. I ended up really enjoying it and it was very well received.

    When the 30 days was up, I was rearing to go, refreshed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elephant's Child5 December 2011 at 06:44

    Good one. And we would be so sad to lose you. I am glad you vanquished Captain Paranoia

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kath Lockett5 December 2011 at 06:45

    Oh I hear ya, PlasMan. That's why it's good to have a dog - whether catlovers enjoy it or not, she provides me with a lot of opportunities to observe other canines and their human companions.

    Oh and having a glass of wine helps too :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kath Lockett5 December 2011 at 06:48

    ...and a notebook within easy reach of your backpack for those idle thoughts...

    Word verification (I kid you not) - DOLLS. Now, write a blog article with the heading of 'Dolls'

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anji5 December 2011 at 09:34

    I'm glad to read that even you, Oh Great PM, struggles like everyone else. It was one of the most interesting posts on blogging block that I've ever come across.

    Looking forward to all of the 31 posts in January

    ReplyDelete
  6. Pandora Behr5 December 2011 at 12:03

    I got so desperate for inspiration I wrote about my drivers licence photo.

    THis time if year - I so hear you...

    Good luck - it will pass. Promise.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Plastic Mancunian5 December 2011 at 19:13

    Hi MoM,

    Writer's block has struck before but then it never crossed my mind to write about the problem itself.

    I like the idea of a daily post for a month; I've been tempted to do it before and I've read other bloggers' efforts too - and they have been good.

    :0)

    Cheers

    PM

    ReplyDelete
  8. Plastic Mancunian5 December 2011 at 19:18

    Bonjour Kath,

    Yes - the cats can be a source of inspiration too - particularly the ferocious newbie!

    I have been inspired after a pint of ale too - I think it lubricates the old neural pathways.

    I have a notebook - and I do write ideas down - but I was still a bit lost the other day, staring at some of those ideas - I think it just needs a little spark.

    Good advice, Kath - thanks.

    :0)

    Cheers

    PM

    ReplyDelete
  9. Plastic Mancunian5 December 2011 at 19:19

    Hi EC,

    A little writer's block won't make me stop writing nonsense. I might only stop when I'm bored - and I ain't bored yet!

    :0)

    Cheers

    PM

    ReplyDelete
  10. Plastic Mancunian5 December 2011 at 19:21

    Hi Anji,

    Thanks for the kind words. As I said to MoM, it does happen from time to time - but I usually come through it.

    :0)

    Cheers

    PM

    ReplyDelete
  11. Plastic Mancunian5 December 2011 at 19:23

    Hi Pand,

    I've heard that writing ANYTHING can inspire you and get those thoughts boiling. That's what started it really.

    I would struggle to write about my driver's license photo - there's only so much I can say about baboons that look like humans.

    :0)

    Cheers

    PM

    ReplyDelete
  12. River6 December 2011 at 11:28

    When inspiration fails, use photos, like I do. We'd like to see your christmas tree.
    Or pick some random story from you local paper that made you laugh, or think, or got you riled up and go from there.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Plastic Mancunian6 December 2011 at 18:26

    Hi River,

    Ah - great plan - I get riled very easily.

    :0)

    Thanks for the advice.

    Cheers

    PM

    ReplyDelete
  14. drb7 December 2011 at 12:01

    please download the pdf on writer'd block from this link:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1311997/?tool=pubmed

    ReplyDelete
  15. drb8 December 2011 at 03:24

    Mr PM,
    Did you download the jornal article from the link?
    It is a legitimate published article is a legit scientific journal.
    Did you read the reviewer's comment?
    I'm surprised that you did not have an opinion on it.
    Must still be suffering from writer's block

    ReplyDelete
  16. Plastic Mancunian8 December 2011 at 07:20

    Hi drb,

    Yes - I just didn't get round to replying (sorry).

    I love the reviewer's comments.

    :0)

    Cheers

    PM

    ReplyDelete