Dealing with Writer’s Block

Mar29

I’ve learned the hard way that when someone tells you that they have writer’s block, the most unhelpful way to respond is:

a) Oh, I’ve never had that.

b) It’s just in your head.

c) There’s no such thing as…

It’s like when your significant other tells you that she has PMS and you respond with any of the above or “It’ll pass,” or “Oh honey, I know how you feel.”

So here are a few suggestions for fantasy writers who are suffering from writer’s block. I am sure they can be applied to other genres with a bit of adaptation.

1) Watch your favorite scene from Lord of the Rings (I would list mine, but you would need the extended version of this blog) or most preferred epic fantasy novel. Not that I want to advocate for movies above books – until such time as Wycaan Masters gets optioned (you can contact me via this blog, Mr. Jackson) – but there is something very vivid and inspiring watching a scene.

2) Archery – it works for me. Noching (yes that is how it is spelt) the arrow, drawing the bow-string, watching the arrow (hopefully) fly to the target – awesome. You can just feel a scene coming on.

Disclaimer: Please shoot responsibly and refrain when the muse takes you.

3) Drive/hike to a vista or beautiful natural landmark. When my family are on the road and see a mountain range, a beautiful river, or wisps of fog hugging the treetops, one of us says: Alaegasia – a tribute to Christopher Paolini’s (Eragon) impressive scene descriptions.

4) Imagine winning the Fantasy Novel Oscar – prepare and rehearse your acceptance speech. It kinda works and you never know when you might need it!. I have done this on the exercise bike and in the bathroom. The acoustics are better from the bathtub when accompanied by a glass of wine.

Caution: should not be practiced out loud with anyone else present – your family and friends already think you are weird, an adult caring about elves and dwarves.

5) Go to library or bookstore and look at the book covers. This can be done on-line when your library has closed due to spending cuts or there is no bookstore still open near you, but there is something powerful holding a book and looking at the cover. I suspect being around shelves of great authors can be either a great kick up the pants or depressing – all these accomplished authors. But if it works for you…

The Magicians – Lev Grossman

6) Ride a horse (or pretend to on a bike). Hold the saddle horn as you twist round to see if you are being followed. Pat the horse, feel the reins and the rhythm of a horse galloping…you get the idea.

Caution: While effective on a stationary exercise bike, I recommend you do not try this at the gym – people might think you have a spider down your shirt or having a fit.

7) Look at your bank account and imagine what you would do with that advance. Perhaps stand in front of a mirror and practice saying: “Yes. I write fantasy full-time.”

But when your significant other tells you that she is premenstrual, a hug, hot chocolate, and you making and clearing up dinner is probably a better route. The writing can wait – anyway you have Writer’s Block.

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Alon Shalev is the author of At The Walls of Galbrieth, Wycaan Master Book 1 and The First Decree, both released by Tourmaline Books. Shalev is also the author of three social justice-themed novels including Unwanted Heroes. He swears there is a connection. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter).

A Poem In Elvish – J.R.R. Tolkien

Nov3

This is a rare gem. That an author could possibly make up an entire language is mind-blowing. Yet we often forget that beyond the dragons, swords, and quests, J.R.R. Tolkien created an entire language. As a professor of philology (ancient languages) at Oxford University, Tolkien was already immersed in the mechanics of how a language is put together.

But the professor took it to another level when he actually made up a language. With the hype beginning to build for The Hobbit movie, this poem surfaced read by the master himself.

Enjoy!

My own elvish is somewhat rusty, so here is a translation of Namarie (Farewell) courtesy of Josh Jones, who goes into greater detail about the when and where.

Ah! like gold fall the leaves in the wind, long years
numberless as the wings of trees! The long years
have passed like swift draughts of the sweet mead
in lofty halls beyond the West, beneath the blue
vaults of Varda wherein the stars tremble in the
song of her voice, holy and queenly.

Who now shall refill the cup for me?

For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of Stars,
from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like
clouds, and all paths are drowned deep in shadow;
and out of a grey country darkness lies on the
foaming waves between us, and mist covers the
jewels of Calacirya for ever. Now lost, lost for
those from the East is Valimar!

Farewell! Maybe thou shalt find Valimar. Maybe
even thou shalt find it. Farewell!

And, in case you haven’t got enough, here is Tolkien again, reciting the Song of Durin (in English).

Have a great weekend,

Elfwriter

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Alon Shalev is the author of The Accidental Activist and A Gardener’s Tale. He has written three epic fantasy novels and the first, which reached the Quarter Finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2012, is due out in January 2013 by Tourmaline Press. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter).

What Would Tolkien Say?

Sep29

I wasn’t that surprised when I heard originally that The Hobbit would be expanded into more than one movie. Harry Potter 7 and Breaking Dawn have set the precedence. But I was stunned (pleasantly, I must admit) that somehow the thin, children’s book is going to take as much time as Lord of the Rings, volumes of which are well-known for many attributes, not least that of a competent doorstop.

Still, I thought, in Peter Jackson I trust. LOTR is an amazing movie trilogy, so why not have the hobbit and dwarves trudge through countless woods and mountain ranges. Offer a few character insights, and smoke a few more pipes around the fire. Works for me and I doubt a particular Oxford linguistics professor would have minded.

But, now I hear that Peter Jackson has actually invented some new characters and I must admit to feeling somewhat perturbed. Is J.R.R. Tolkien sitting in his celestial study puffing his pipe furiously?

It had occurred to me that we are a bit short on the females in this book, less noticeable for a book, but an issue for the screen. This has obviously occurred to Mr. Jackson as well, as he introduces Tauriel, an elven warrior, who according to the info released is head of the elven guard. Lost star Evangeline Lilly plays this fearsome (and no doubt sexy warrior) and she is quoted as saying:

“She is a warrior. She’s actually the head of the Elven guard. She’s the big shot in the army. So she knows how to wield any weapon, but the primary weapons that she uses are a bow and arrow and two daggers. And she’s lethal and deadly.”

While I am the last to complain about introducing any elf, I feel uneasy. And it has nothing to do with her resembling a Mord Sith. I’m feeling rather traumatized, having (after watching Legend of the Seeker on TV) just listened to Wizard’s First Rule – Terry Goodkind – on audio alone in my car, which fleshes out (excuse the extremely accurate pun), the Mord Sith techniques. Let’s just say that if any woman in red leather comes within 50 feet, I’m running.

But the question is not what this humble elfwriter thinks, but what Tolkien would say. I have a number of books on the master, but never met him. However, I can’t help feeling he would not be amused.

I can’t imagine someone taking my books and inserting new characters. It seems to be one step too far. What do you think? How loyal should Peter Jackson stay to the original work?

When does The Hobbit become The Hollybit?

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Alon Shalev is the author of The Accidental Activist and A Gardener’s Tale. He has written three epic fantasy novels and the first reached the Quarter Finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award as of March 2012. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter).

Elfwriter

A Fantasy Author

Tag Archives: Mr. Jackson

A Poem In Elvish – J.R.R. Tolkien

What Would Tolkien Say?

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