A Kit to Thwart Writers Block

"A Kit to Thwart Writers Block" has me drooling. Explains the creator:

"...created after being asked to find something I hate, change it and make it better, and then advertise it. Because I hate getting writers block, I researched the many ways to solve it, and created a packaged kit. I advertised it by silkscreening depressing doodles on napkins that look like they could have been drawn by someone in the throes of writers block. Folded on the other side of the napkin is the logo of the kit. Napkins were dispersed at coffee shops, and other locations where one might go to try and avoid writers block. .."

Learn more.

Comments

[WmAnthony]

There is no such thing as writer's block...only products designed to take writers away from writing.
As notebook aficionados we know what writers do: take pen, furrow page of notebook, continue.
There is no such thing as writer's block.
Writers write.

[Mr. Blather]

Don't develop the film for two weeks? Amateur. I once let a roll of film sit around in a box for five years before stumbling across it and getting it developed.

I also have a roll of Scala black and white slide film I won't be able to develop until I visit the USA again.

Of course, returning to the post, what are you supposed to do during the two weeks you're waiting to develop the film?

[Sophie Brown]

I had never had writer's block-- for many years. Then I was more than halfway through a novel and instead of writing I was watching "Smallville" and eating a lot of butter. Maybe I needed a break (a 2.5 month break). Writers may write but I think it's similar to being unable to sleep. You can start trying too hard. You can't get into the zone. The more you worry the worse it gets. This isn't to be mistaken with a lack of self-discipline, or someone who fancies themselves a writer and who NEVER write a thing. But I did have something and writer's block may be the word for it.

[Sophie Brown]

WmAnthony--I was thinking about this too: About products like these, I think books like the "Artist's Way" are just as bad at keeping me from working as little novelties like this. I was asking myself questions and writing useless pages and unblocking myself before I was out of bed and I think "How to Write" books may help someone out there but it's also a distraction.

[WmAnthony]

Sophie...I love your anecdote. Truly, it took me years to wean myself from magazines, books and ephemera that talked about writing. I wanted to write, not read about it. Now if I find myself coveting a book on writing, I use it as a reward, as in when I get my work done for the day I can consider looking at it.
I teach writing for a living and write for my life and I tell anyone who will listen there is no such thing as writer's block, the block is usually your own mind playing tricks on you. The only way to get over it, is to write through it.
This isn't to say there are days when my writing is utter garbage (in fact most days it is); but every day you'll find me writing. That's what writers do.
Full disclosure: In 199- Cameron's "Artist Way," got me through a particularly bad period in my life. The book inspired me, but I was writing before it landed with such grace on my desk, and I wrote my way through the book and out the other side.
Wow, this is a long entry...sorry. Take care, and keep writing,
Anthony

[Mr. Blather]

WmAnthony:

Your entry reminded me of something Lillian Hellman (I think) supposedly said upon hearing a writer complain about his case of "artist's block":

"Forget the art; just write the damn thing."

[Dede]

You haven't posted in awhile..hope all is ok.

[bogiesan]

Heck, the page hasn't changed in more than a week. Hope Armand is on a well deserved vacation or spending a year end bonus from Moleskine.

david boise ID

[Sophie Brown]

The Moleskinerie site has changed more often though, so I don't know. Everyone in New York seems to have this horrible cold/flu thing going on so maybe he wasn't able to avoid that.

[Armand]

I'm here! Just caught the bug, again. Be back tomorrow.

:::sniffles:::

[Sophie Brown]

Anthony: Thought, maybe you should write a how to write book.
You could make a fortune. I don't know what your credentials are as a teacher, but they spin these details anyway. All these books do is tell people what they already know. You could try to do something actually helpful, or not. People by the stuff anyway.