August 13, 2012

Writer's Block -- T. L. Wiens

I decided to take the Long Ridge Writer's Group's course on novel writing. I had already completed another course they offered and thoroughly enjoyed it. And that was out of my genre. Novel writing should be a breeze.

"Should be" and "are" are two proving to be distant islands without a view of one another. The problem is that my instructor has a very definite idea of what this book should be about and he is refusing to read what I put on the page beyond that context. That's where my writer's block comes into play. I want to pass the course but not at the expense of writing a manuscript that I hate. So I sit frozen in front of the computer clicking to my favorite websites, wasting my writing time.

As I dare to enter this post--this is about the most writing I've done in a month--I realize how similar my writer's block is to times when I've experienced spiritual blocks. I want to be a witness for Christ but somehow I just remain frozen.

What is the cure? I know for my spiritual walk it's Bible study and prayer. Making sure I'm focused on the right things. And maybe that's the cure for writer's block as well. Remembering why I write--to proclaim the Kingdom of God, who  I want to glorify--Jesus Christ and the purpose for writing-- to spread the gospel is the key to making sure I stay on track and the words keep flowing. The grades will have to take a backseat.

6 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear you're so frustrated with the course and the instructor. I'm taking the same course and have a very supportive instructor. Praying that God will guide you!

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  2. Thank you for the encouragement.

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  3. Have you considered talking to your instructor about this? If he doesn't listen, perhaps it's time to talk to the administrators. Have you shown this to your writing colleagues/writer's group? You can be merely tredding water in a situation like this. I Pray this works out for you, Tammy.

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  4. Thanks Sharon. Great advice.
    I have tried to communicate with my instructor but he's difficult to communicate with--truly can only see the way he sees the story unfolding.
    I talked to the school as well. They suggested one more attempt and if things don't go well, they'll find me a new instructor. Not really what I want this far into the course but I'm not ruling it out.

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  5. Dealing with instructors is a learning experience in itself! Sounds like you've decided to stick to what you believe and that's admirable!
    Press on!

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