It happens every single time.
I come on to the blog, I say wonderful things, like...'look at all the writing I'm getting done' and 'I'm nearing the end of my book' and 'it won't be long now before I type the words THE END' and then it hits....
EBS = EMPTY BRAIN SYNDROME
I don't know what it is but it's freakin' annoying.
I just want to write but there is nothing there. I know it's there but it's not there where it needs to be. You know?
I know you know.
And, it's not just procrastinating...
I'm not off doing something more exciting and not writing. I'm not like cleaning the tub or doing the dishes instead of writing.
I'm actually staring at the screen but the words they're ... well .. they're thwarting me. That's all. Just one big thwart.
 |
| Mulder. Face Plant. |
It will sort itself out, but I swear, I'm never telling you guys when things are going well with my writing again. Never!
How are you doing?
Thank you, Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating this wonderful group for all of us psychos, I MEAN, insecure writers!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
***
p.s. Happy birthday to my wonderful husband!
p.p.s. My son's football team won their first playoff game. Looks like another week of practice plus a second playoff game this coming weekend.
I often suffer from EBS! I know exactly what I want to say, but suddenly all the words I want to use disappear and I'm left with a brain full of jelly! It's good to know I'm not alone :-)
ReplyDeleteHappens to me all the time! I'll always be able to picture a scene in my head perfectly, but getting the right words down to convey it is another thing entirely.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I'm with you. EBS support group! And why does it hit us when we decide to toot our own horn? Maybe you're on to something, and we should all adopt the vow of silence until we actually finish the story. I know I've suffered the same syndrome all year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck finding those words. Hopefully they're just waiting for you to turn your back so they can jump out at you. :)
Happens all too often! As soon as I tell anyone the writing's going well, the words run off and desert me! It's annoying, but they will come back in the end!
ReplyDeleteI find writing a list of secrets helps me get out of procrastination. I hope you find your spinach like Popeye, soon.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your hubby!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your son!
EBS. I love your acronym. Plus, it shows your brain isn't quite empty. Just on pause for now. I like to do yoga or walk when that happens to me. Better still, a good round of brainstorming, pen to paper and letting loose whatever comes to mind, helps. I hope things improve for you soon!! Hugs.
Ha! Yes, we do understand. But you're right, your brain will eventually catch back up. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your son and his team!
EBS. LOL I love it. Have it, too. At time like that, I read. When the well is empty, you have to refill it. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteIt happens to everyone and it will continue to happen to everyone. Instead of staring at the screen, ask yourself what your character's favorite dessert recipe might be and start those fingers typing about that - just let it go - you might be surprised as this may be a side to your character you don't know yet, which in turn might spark something else. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteIt happens to everyone and it will continue to happen to everyone. Instead of staring at the screen, ask yourself what your character's favorite dessert recipe might be and start those fingers typing about that - just let it go - you might be surprised as this may be a side to your character you don't know yet, which in turn might spark something else. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI, too, suffer from EBS. And procrastination. And I'm totally going to build myself one of those binder clip godzillas (or whatever it's supposed to be).
ReplyDeleteMy day job is actually good (wait...did I just say that?) for bouts of EBS because the mindless tasking allows my brain to do its thing and figure stuff out. I have solved many a plot problem while at work. Maybe not so much lately, but definitely in the past.
Good luck...and happy birthday to your husband, and congrats to your son.
You guys are the best! I love when I find out I'm not alone on something as crazy and annoying as EBS!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by to see me today!
HMG
I treat EBS by doing some of the chores you mentioned though not cleaning the tub. Oh, and I do play spider solitaire too when I'm avoiding a tough scene.
ReplyDeleteYay! Happy birthday to your hubby and congrats to your son!
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm believer that EBS can easily be remedied by the right tunage--or cheese--or exercise. Of course, if you've got EBS when you're trying to figure out what songs to listen to, or type of cheese to eat, or yoga vs elliptical machine... Well, then I can't help you. ;)
I vote that your brain just got ahead of you. You just have to catch up with it. Have you tried rubbing Stormy's magic hat?
ReplyDeleteI only wish I made something as creative as that binder clip robot guy when I'm stuck. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't like to talk too much about my work, especially when it's going well, because I'm afraid I'll jinx it. :)
I love the little binder clip monster!
ReplyDeleteIt will pass. Go do something really different for a while and see what happens.
I used to get stuck with my writing, and it would always be right after I bragged about being on a roll too!
ReplyDeleteGreat post....one thing to try is to try to interview some of your characters. Write a question and answer it as them...really helps me jump start ideas and gets my creativity flowing agaon.
ReplyDeleteEBS is a permanent condition for me. I find showers very productive when I'm stuck. Or sometimes I just put crap on the page and it gives me insight. Hope you're words are full soon.
ReplyDeleteFunny I wrote about WB as well. Love the cat picture.
ReplyDeleteWell, as your number of comments can attest, this seems to be a common problem. I find it helps to take some time away from the story when this happens. Still think about it, but relax. Have a bubble bath. Go for a run. Have coffee with a friend. Inspiration comes from the strangest places sometimes. Sounds like your subconscious just needs some time to do the work.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! IWSG members unite!
I hope you come unblocked soon. Staring at the screen and watching the cursor flash against a white backdrop just plain sucks.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your son and Happy Birthday to your husband.
Sometimes the quiet which takes over the mind when one's engaged in some repetitive chore leaves room for the words to flourish. :-)
ReplyDeletePS: Happy birthday to your husband and congrats to your son!!!
ReplyDeleteFeels great to know you guys all have the same experience and that we can all get through it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming!
Heather
You know... thank you for writing this today. I feel just. Like. This. My issue is that I've suddenly had all this time dumped into my lap for writing and I get this blank thing happening. I stare at the screen and just feel like I need to wipe away the drool before it hits the keyboard. It's frustrating. I keep trying to power through it but it just doesn't help. Meh. Good post!
ReplyDeleteLOL; yes, I've had that problem before. Brag about something and then it all goes away. Like a bad prophecy or something.
ReplyDeleteEat ice cream, it helps :)
.......dhole
OMG - I LOVE the pics! I laughed so hard when I figured out what the first one was. Like someone at work was bored. Too funny. Slightly less funny is my over a year long EBS affliction. There's soe disconnect between thinking something up and being sure enough of it to start writing. Even if I force myself to "Write something, dammit!!" it's useless because I know it's crap.
ReplyDeleteBut thanks very much for this post. I love your sense of humor, always makes e feel better. :-)
Believe it or not---when the words don't come I clean or walk. Best inspiration in the world---at least for me. The words will come, when they're good and ready, then your brain will explode to write them all down.
ReplyDeleteI've had EBS since I had my son last summer, lol. Writing my third book has been an agonizing process. I tell myself it will get#2 will be here in three weeks and I have no idea when the upside will happen.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get back on track. Just don't get distracted with cleaning that tub :).
It's a tough thing, but we all eventually get through it. Dishes and laundry usually don't mind either...
ReplyDeleteMaybe you're trying too hard? lol.
ReplyDeleteThat always happens to me, I can't think of the words when I'm desperately wanting to write.
Happy Birthday to your husband and congrats to your son!
From time to time, the creative well runs dry.
ReplyDeleteChange your focus.
Try a different activity and I'm sure it will start filling up and overflowing...
I read somewhere, that trying something completely out of ones comfort zone helps to sustain creativity...
Hope your hubby had a wonderful birthday.
Congrats to your son!
Love your post,made me smile :) Sadly, I scrapbook as well, but that can be just as unproductive when the mojo goes for a stroll!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
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