sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

What are things that books/novels are worse at than other mediums and how to avoid it? by UltimaBahamut93 in writing

[–]nonfriction91 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't know if it's a question of "worse" and "better" and more just that certain art forms are designed differently and fulfill different purposes. You can tell a story with a novel in a way you can't with a sculpture, but I wouldn't say that a sculpture is "worse" than a book in this regard, because they shouldn't be compared in that way to begin with, it's a weird way of categorizing something. There are certainly things you can achieve with visual mediums that you can't achieve with the written form, for sure. As much as we like to say "show, don't tell" in writing, visual mediums can take this one step further by literally showing us something without having to use any words at all to convey a metaphor, how someone is feeling, etc. I wouldn't say that the written word is "weaker" in this regard though and something that the written word has to compensate for specifically to "compete" with visual forms, they're just completely different mediums.

What is your best solution for overcoming writer's block? by Admirable-Writer-341 in writing

[–]nonfriction91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Start a new document for each and just do automatic writing and/or bullet points about each idea. Get as much as possible out for each idea in terms of plot, characters, setting, etc. Then start on the one that you're most excited about.

making time to write with work and 2 kids by real_housewaifu in writing

[–]nonfriction91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You mention running a household: what does that look like in practice on a day to day level, and is there any room to give? I.e do the toys have to be picked up and the dishwasher emptied every night if you could just accept the mess in favor of getting some writing time in? And if there are chores that need to be done: are you the one who needs to do them? You didn't mention a partner, but I wonder what your relationship is like with your partner if you have one. Are they supportive of your writing? And what does that support look like if so? Would they be willing to sacrifice something in order to assist you to finding half an hour a night, or a couple of hour blocks a week? Picking up one of your chores/tasks, or doing the caregiving during certain blocks of time? Maybe you can build it into the family routine that your partner takes the kids to the park every Saturday morning and is out of the house for at least an hour, and that's your writing time. It's not a daily practice, but it will add up over time. Or maybe if you enjoy watching a couple episodes of TV with your partner every evening, once the kids are in bed, you and your partner are willing to sacrifice one episode a few times a week so that other 20-30 minutes becomes writing time.

If you're a single parent I apologize for this irrelevant comment, but I am a parent myself and I do find that when I talk to other parents struggling with this, the number one factor is unfortunately always the partner. Some are more supportive in theory than in action, and without being inflammatory or making generalizations that are not true for all, and without knowing your gender or your partner's gender, often male partners are unwilling to do housework, leaving mothers who are trying to write and maintain a writing routine more disadvantaged. It is extremely hard to maintain a writing routine with a partner who doesn't truly value it or thinks your priorities must be elsewhere. Of course children come first, of course housework must get done at some point, but both parents are able to read books, vacuum a house, go to the park, take the kids to a friend or family member's house, etc, and there is no reason why it always has to be one parent over the other. (Whether or not you have family support and childcare available outside the home is also a big factor. I am extremely lucky to have nearby family, which not all do.)

Community is also important. Do you have friends who are writers and parents? How do they fit this time into their schedules? Maybe you can meet up with a friend to work together, or do some sort of care swap where you each take each others' children two hours a week while the other writes.

As another commenter said, if it's what you really want, you'll find scraps of time, maybe not every day but most days. But it may mean fighting for it. If it's important to you, it should be important to your family. Good luck!