Help needed, tips to overcome writer's block aka frozen brain.

[seaglass]

I have an essay due tomorrow morning and it's not coming together for me at all.

What do you do when the words just won't come?

[Wolfman 11]

1. depends on the topic

I usually just people-watch. That gives me plenty to think about.

[seaglass]

4. the role of codfish in our quest for independence from England

is the topic.

No people to watch unfortunately, just my daughter and I - maybe I could go downstairs and stare at her:-)

[Bat Boy]

6. That's the topic?

Jesus, what the hell was the role of codfish? What side did they fight on?

[seaglass]

8. Yeah, that's the topic. The codfish were on the colonists

side:-)

[Bat Boy]

9. Seriously, what the hell did codfish have to do with the whole mess?

This is a huge gap in my knowledge of American history...

[seaglass]

15. You're just trying to trick me into writing my essay aren't

you?

Seriously, the fishing industry was central to the New England economy and cod was abundant. There was a huge market for cod; salt cod was used as a nutritious food for long trips at sea, and in Europe cod was eaten on Fridays and all religious holidays when meat couldn't be eaten - almost half the days of the year.

Cod became a primary commodity in the triangle trade, not only was it traded to Europe but it was used to feed the slaves on plantations in the West Indies.

In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith singled out the NE fisheries as an example of a flourishing economy.

In any case the story is the same as we've learned in history books about England enforcing trade laws yadda yadda yadda and the colonists revolting.

Ok, now you've got me started, I've got to go write it.:-)

[Bat Boy]

20. Sorry. I taught writing for too long...

I'm a sneaky little bastard.

Unfortunately I taught comedy writing, so unless you want to screw this up you'd better not listen to me any more.

[aquart]

16. Cod is good food.

But how did it make us independent? Did we have so much we could supply fish and chips shops from one end of England to the other?

[The Whiskey Priest]

22. There was a great little book on Cod

not long ago.

Cod played a large role in the settlement of North American. The Grand Banks have sites where Portuguese fisherman were dry the cod long before Columbus sailed.

At one time it is said that the Cod was so thick along the eastern seaboard that you could walk upon their backs without touching the water. I find that a bit much, but interesting mental picture.


http://envstudies.brown.edu/thesis/2003/eric_brazer/Early%20History%20of%20Cod.htm
http://stjohns.cbc.ca/features/CodFisheries/history.html

Maybe this can stir the brain. They say that fish is a brain food.

[seaglass]

23. Thanks. The essay I'm writing is from a book called

"Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World" by Mark Kurlansky, I bet that's the book you're talking about and it is a good one. He also wrote a book called "Salt" which is on my reading list.

Yes, the Basques discovered NA long before anyone else, it's just that they were fishermen and liked to keep the best fishing spots secret.:-)

[ulysses]

26. so...when you finish it,

will you refer to it as your "cod piece"?

;-)

[seaglass]

32. Lol. n/t

[teach1st]

2. I write about something else - something trivial

That works for me. I have also had success reading fiction or watching stupid TV shows.

[Interrobang]

3. I know this is going to sound really strange, but...

Balance a pencil on your left index finger. My art teacher in high school swore up and down that it helped wake up your "right brain" (the creative part), and it certainly does seem to work.

Also, just start writing. It doesn't have to be good...it doesn't even have to be up to your standards for *crap* as long as you get words down. You can go back and revise and re-write later. Once you start, though, you'll probably get better in a hurry, and you might even find that semi-mythical Groove.

Good luck!

[Reverend_Smitty]

7. Pencil trick

hmmm never knew about the pencil balancing...I think I'm going to try that next time I have to write something for school

[Ready4Change]

12. Stream of conscience writing

Grab a blank sheet of paper and just babble onto it. Literally write as fast as possible. Don't think about the words, or what sense (or nonsense) it makes.

After a little while sitting down and writting sensibly sounds like a relief, and you've gotten over that pure, untouched piece of paper feel.

[Squistion]

5. Work on the beginning and the ending paragraphs.

Sometimes when I do that, the rest fills itself in with what I have to say.

[NewHampster]

10. Turn off DU

duh

[seaglass]

14. Tried it, didn't work. I'm in desperation mode now and just

looking for a few tips.

[Droopy]

11. I had to write several papers last quarter

And I frequently had writer's block. I would just ease back in my computer chair (it's nice and comfy) and stare at the screen for a while. I would re-read what I already had down and try to think of a logical extension to that. Usually, after a while, something would pop into my head and then I'd have another paragraph or two. It was a long process.

Also, it sounds like your paper involves a bit of research. Go over your secondary sources and try to pull out a good quote and expand upon it.

If all else fails, there's beer and cigarettes. They always work for me.

[blm]

13. I had a lengthy relationship with a fairly reknowned writer and he would

take bubble baths when he needed to reboot.

[jpgray]

17. Just do *nothing* but write. Your brain will shape up very quickly. (nt)

[mac56]

18. I agree with the others here.

Just write crap. Just crap. Nothing brilliant, just sentences that seem to be on topic. Before long you will find yourself wordsmithing the crap to make it into something good.

At the very worst, at least you'll have some on-topic crap to hand in.

[freeforall]

19. Tip from a writer...

When I feel blocked up, I usually go the zen route and just space out. My "inner writer" knows what I want to say, so I just leave it for awhile and either empty my mind or think of something else.

Then I'll get the feeling, "Go. Write. Now." and it just comes pouring out.

I also like to make a general outline as soon as I decide on a topic. This helps with research and to direct my thinking. Then I read up on the topic and just leave it to stew.

Good luck with it! It sounds like an interesting paper.

[The Whiskey Priest]

21. Just start writing.

It doesn't matter if it is one point, or even on subject. Just start writing.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

24. things I do

I take a shower. Showers are the #1 response to writers' block among writers I know.

I take a walk or do some housework.

I write an outline of what I'm trying to get across.

I write a short, silly version first, something completely unacceptable, and it gets me into writing about the topic.

I stop working at the computer and use a pad and pencil for awhile. The motion of actual writing is different from typing and it can help unblock you.

Good luck!

[seaglass]

25. Thanks for your tips. I did find the best method was to just

write and it finally came. Having this thread to read helped me to relax my brain a little too.

I got the essay back this morning and got an A! yahoo!

[GOPisEvil]

28. Congratulations!

Your "cod piece" went over well!

Thanks to Uly for that bit of humor! :D

[seaglass]

30. LOL. Did you know that in Middle English "cod" meant a bag

or sack or by inference a scrotum and that's where the term codpiece came from? You probably did.:-)

[GOPisEvil]

31. I didn't know that, but my guess would have been...

...something relating to male genitalia. :D

[bif]

27. I visit the "Hall of Great Ideas"

i.e. I go take a dump. It's amazing how many great ideas come to me there.

[Burma Jones]

29. Plagerize

:evilgrin:

Just joking

I would usually take a nap. I'm writing my Dissertation now, so I sympathise.