Funk??/Writers block??

[Mike Flashner]

Hello Board,

I'm new to your group. I have been a writer for many years and the term "Funk" used for writers block comletely has me confused. I may have read the Posts wrong.

"Funk" = to become frighted or to shrink back: to be afraid; a state of paralizing fear; ~ "a deprssed state of mind." Close but no cigar.

"Funky" = 1. having a offensive odor, 2. having an earthy unsophisticated style and feelig. 3. odd or quaint in appearance or style.

Now I have had people tell me that story stinks. Where the hell did you pick up that style.

But "Funk"?

I don't remember ever meeting a writer that was scared or frighted in the States. Overseas under combat conditions
you can bet tour ass we were all scared. The trouble was there was no place to run. You couldn't go back, you could only run forward toward the bad guys. Nobody did that untill they were told.

How to get rid of writers block? Write a letter to a friend. Write what you did that day. Write what you will do tomorrow. Go to a Comedy movie. Writ what was funny when you get home.

Do not sit and pout. Do not drink booze. It might make it
worse. Go for a walk. Then sit down and write what you did.
Always remember if you are a writer there is always something on your mind you can write about. Even if it's not the subject in you book.

Mike Flashner (mikeflashner@lvcm.com)

[Mike Flashner]

Hi:

Me again: Reference; "Funk" Webster's 9th New Collegiate Dictionary.

Mike Flashner

[Victor Miller, Sr]

I'll likely get blasted for this but I got a thick hide...
there is no such thing as writers block. It really is I just don't feel like writing today, syndrome. The only cure for it is to write something, no matter how it stinks up the room then be your own worst critiquer. If you've got a sense of humor you'll shortly be laughing and get on with the days progress. If you're a grumpy old curmudgeon, you'll just give yourself acid indigestion. But then, good writers usually suffer before they do their best work.

[Valerie Moreau]

I avoid facing my writer's block by telling myself I have to do the editing before I write on the current project. Bad of me, I know since I have probably edited the story to death.

[Mike Flashner]

Hi Valerie & Victor:

I would say you both have the right approach to the term "writers block."

Valerie I hope you read Victors post. I hope he doesn't
mind me quoting him; "then be your own worst critiquer."

Do not "over" critique your writing. My system, write the Chapter then critique it. I kinda write like I talk.

Remember that chapter is pure thought, it's what's in your head. You are looking at what you were thinking. I call a chapter before it's edited a VIRGIN. I hav seen a lot of writers kill their story by listening to someone else or
thinking the words are wrong.

After spell checking (I hope you use a computer), read your chapter out loud. Better yet use a tape recorder.
If it is fiction make sure you have dialogue to match your
character.

Always save your virgin chapter to a disk if you know how to save on your "A" drive. Never save your whole book on your hard drive.

Thanks for the input.

Mike Flashner

[J. Casey]

Mike,

Why don't you save your whole book on the hard drive?

dJane

[Patricia Cooper]

I looked up "Writer's Block" in my dictionary and it came up "Procrastination".

patC

P.S. I suffer from this mental condition which is why I am lurking on the writer's net right now instead of doing what I am s'posed to be doing --- WRITING.

[Steve]

Kevin (screenwriter of Clerks, Dogma, Chasing Amy) said that there is no such thing as writer's block, only writer's laze.

[Steve]

oops... Kevin Smith

[Mike Flashner]

Hi Jane:

Computers today are not such as they were 20 years ago.

The computer hackers to day are a different than when I started. Years ago hackers just tried to get information just to say they got into specific system like Dept of Defense, or Nasa. You know the big boys.

Hackers to day challenge the big boys with Virus'. Some are good enough to get through virus blocks.

Today they erase your hard drive and make sure it never works. Most of the time it would be cheaper to buy a new computer than get your hard drive in operation again.

Most home pc's are usually left alone. Although I had a virus screw up my hard drive several years ago. I guess some thought it word be fun to delete my book. Today they can erase my hard drive and I will just go out and purchase
a new one. I keep all my information on 3.5" disks and CD Roms. The only thing I have on my hard drive is my operating system, such Windods Me, MSWord, WordPerfect, MSPublisher, etc., etc.

I have put all my graphics and writings on CD's. My two
published books are on 3.5" disks.

You can put a 400 page novel on two 3.5" floppies. If you have no graphics.

If you would like more info, my book "How to Write a Book On Your Computer" can be purchased from amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.

The book was origially made for DOS or Windows 95. If you are computer literate it can be used with Windows 98 and a Mac. If you are a Published author you can purchase it from me at Dealers cost, plus mailing.

Mike Flashner