Friday, September 12, 2008

Writer's Block

Nothing to SayWhen I have writer's block, I just write some hooey. I just put some words down, knowing that it ain't gonna be to good. What the heck, it's just a first draft, so it don't really matter. First drafts are supposed to suck.

Sometimes I will crank up the music. Sometimes I will read a little, or surf the net. But the main thing I do is just keep trying to get words down. Good, bad, or ugly, I just keep adding a word here, and then a word there until I have a sentence. Before I know it, I have written another post on the blog.

Now, my brilliant young students, I am sure you are asking, "what does this have to do with me and Reading Workshop?"

I have noticed that some of you are sitting there, looking like the keyboard might electrocute you. It won't. I promise. Just put down some words. Any words. You are allowed to make mistakes. You are allowed to not make sense. Go ahead, screw up. We can fix it. If you are not sure about the assignment, ask.

If you are not quite sure, just throw some words out there. Before you know it, the assignment will be done. You will be a success. Your teacher and your parents will be proud. They will smile and tell you that you are wonderful. You will get A's and be on the honor roll. You will win all of the awards.


P.S. Even if all of that doesn't happen, at least you will get the assignment done.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've got writers block I can not think of any thing to write it's hard to think with a headake.

Anonymous said...

I hate writer's block. I almost always have it, its like your sitting there with a pen and paper and the papers mocking you! Telling you that you have nothing good to say, and that you should quite but you know you can't.

Anonymous said...

I think I have writers block when I read the book I understand all of the words then when I get to the writing part and I forget everything.

Anonymous said...

I have had writers block before it gets so old and boring. I really do not like it that much because I feel I am not going to ever get it don.

Anonymous said...

I believe that the first draft should stink because it's only the first time you have done something and it's better than getting nothing down on paper.

Anonymous said...

Jesse and I are working on her reading skills and it is challanging to get her interested in sitting down to read a book after she gets home from school and does her homework. I have several ideas, but I would like some help. She has always been a great reader, but this year she is having a few problems.
Thanks
Lucinda

Mr. McGuire said...

I believe 100% that the key to reading is finding the right book. Jess, and any other student that is struggling must get with me so we can find a book that they can get into. Finding the right book makes reading interesting and fun. Reading a book, just because you have to read is terrible. Reading because you just can't wait to see what happens next is the key to enjoying reading.

Anonymous said...

I get writers block all the time and I mean ALL the time and I hate it. Sometimes when I get writers block I only have a few minutes to type. But when I'm at home and I have like forever I don't get it. It's like it knows when I'm in a hurry. Freaky huh!!

Anonymous said...

I hate writers block because you cant think of any thing to write or type. The next thing you know the teacher is yelling at you because you haven't typed a single word. I should know because it happened
to me at my old school .

Anonymous said...

When I get writers block is when I can't think of anything to write. Sometimes I write down anything and then go back and correct it. Other times I just can't think of anything so I look around the room for inspiration. Like now I can't think of anything to write so I just wrote this down.

Anonymous said...

I don't like Writers Block because when you are trying to think you can't because you're distracted. Its like you're sleeping and you just woke up and you just can't think because you are not ready for the day yet. When you get to school you have to think but I can't because I'm distracted that why I do not like Writers Block.

Anonymous said...

When I have writer's block I sometimes just start writing about what ever comes to me. I sometimes go back and read what I have. If those do not work I will read what I am writhing about or ask about it.
If I still do not get it or can not think of any thing to write I will just write any thing because anything is better that nothing that is how I look at it. When you can not think just start writing or you can use some of my other tips. I think that you would like the grade you could get from just writing than the grade for nothing.

Anonymous said...

When I get writers block I have a list of things I do. That way if one thing dose not work I can go to the next one. The number one thing I do is I start to put myself in the place of whatever I am writing about.

Anonymous said...

When I get writers block I always stop and reread what I wrote. That usually helps me get with the topic and then helps me figure out what to add to what I wrote. If that don't work I jot down ideas that have nothing to do with the topic, and then take it and try to make a paragraph or a sentence.

Anonymous said...

I have got writer's block before. When I get writer's block I have to sit there and think, about what I'm going to say, like just right now I had to think about what I"m going to say in my comment.Or else I just ask Mr.McGuire or just jot down some words!!!

Anonymous said...

When I get writers block I have to go outside and do something so I can get more thoughts flowing. Or when I get writers block I also read a book to see if a book would inspire me.

Anonymous said...

When I get writers block I would usually stop and think for about five minutes and think about what should be part of my work. That is what I would usually do if I had writers block.

Anonymous said...

When I get writers block I take a break and clear my mind of the things I'm writing. You could get a drink or even take a nap. If you don't like doing some of the suggestions in the previous sentences. Then you could go outside or watch TV. Then you can go back and write more. You could even come up with your way to clear your mind. This is what I do when I get writers block.

Anonymous said...

Whenever I get writer's block and I cannot think of something to write, all that I do is sit down and relax. Don't have everything packed up inside your mind. Let everything go and look at stuff that other people have written and get the idea of it. Think that this is my idea and maybe write down what you thought.

loonyhiker said...

My main problem is getting started. Once I get started, my thoughts start to flow and I can't get the words down fast enough. I just write what I'm thinking which leads to other thoughts. Before I know it, I have a lot written about the topic and I can go back to revise it. The key is getting started for me.