Creative Link Love and Blasting Writer’s Block
03
October
I hate the term “writer’s block.” It suggests two things that are not necessarily true: 1) writers are prone to constipation, and 2) only writers can experience the blockage (of the writing. Or the bowels. Either one).
Another reason I hate the term is the easy solution it implies. Blocked? Get unblocked. Take a creative laxative of sorts, and all will be well. Ain’t that simple. To continue to feel creative, and to produce creatively, it takes hard work. Persistence. But also perspective.
In a way, QRW exists to provide that perspective. By looking at writers who matter, at rebellious writing realities, at writer resources and real life breathing examples of writers who rock, creative folks can find some inspiration, energy and free-flowing pipes (all right, the analogy has officially gone too far).
This Friday column caps off a week of creative jogs and rebellious rapier wit with some kickass examples of writing in the “famous” world, in the bloggy world, and here in the QRW empire.
Links that Rock
Freelance Inspiration: 10 Examples of Truly Exceptional Writing at Freelance Folder
Demystifying the Creative Process at Productive Flourishing
Setting Writing Targets at Daily Writing Tips
Two Good Reasons to Write About Balls at Write From Home
Why Should Writers Blog? at The Urban Muse
How Renegade Are You? at The Renegade Writer
Writing that Rocks
I couldn’t write a song if paid exorbitant sums of money, threatened with my cat’s life, and shoved naked in front of a family reunion. But hell, I can appreciate some damn fine song writing when I hear it and see it. Talented songwriters truly boggle my mind with their ability to weave words and sounds. The mastery of Elliott Smith, Aimee Mann, Dave Grohl, Trent Reznor, those Beatles lads, David Bowie, Jeff Tweedy, and more are amazing and insane.
Case in point: if you’ve seen the 1999 masterwork Magnolia, from the man who brought you There Will be Blood, then you will remember this song. Plaintive and painful, poignant and powerful, exceedingly simple yet deep, man, take a look and listen:
You look like a perfect fit
For a girl in need of a tourniquetBut can you save me
Come on and save me
If you could save me
From the ranks of the freaks
Who suspect they could never love anyone‘Cause I can tell
You know what it’s like
The long farewell of the hunger strikeBut can you save me
Come on and save me
If you could save me
From the ranks of the freaks
Who suspect they could never love anyoneYou struck me dumb like radium
Like Peter Pan or Superman
You will come…To save me
C’mon and save me
If you could save me
From the ranks of the freaks
Who suspect they could never love anyone
Word Porn, Feminists, and Writing, oh my!
Nothing inspires more than playing with vocabulary. Don’t believe me? See for yourself at WordPorn, brought to you by the same deranged mind as QRW.
And need a little reminder that humanity is occasionally cool and worthy of pride? Get ready for your daily dose of powerful females at What Would Octavia Do?, coming soon. Yet another attempt by the QRW to take over the world.
Ah, creativity. It goes down smooth. Why not share this post of glories with a Stumble or Digg? And want to catch more of QRW’s twisted take on freelancing? Sign up for free daily updates through RSS or email.
1. David Niall Wilson | October 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
That’s a wonderful song. I was recently captivated by the song “The Devil’s Playground,” by a band I’d never heard of called Gram Rabbit. It was the lyrics, and the presentation…much like in Magnolia.
And I hate the term Writer’s Block also. Besides everything else, you tend to lock onto it when there are problems with the creative process. It’s a crutch to say “I have Writer’s Block” when in fact, there is something else that needs attention and you are ignoring it. Good post.
-DNW
2. Amy | October 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
@David - hey thanks, and glad to have you here. I agree - the writer’s block thing seems just like a crutch, when it’s really just something else. Maybe its being more prepared, or clearing up a question, or being a slackass. Any of these makes the cut.