Do you believe in writers block?

what about deadlines? Does it ever keep you from meeting deadlines?

Yes. I was in a position in an office where lengthy reports were required, ones that required judgment and a presentation to support the stand you took on the issue. Because those reports were used to support large amounts of money in loans and mortgages secured by property, it was important to substantiate the results. Sometimes the information just isn't easily available at the time people think you should have it produced. I've had to give partial reports at times and explain that I couldn't meet the required deadline because all the data wasn't in. The client wasn't happy but I would explain that if I wasn't satisfied with giving him an unsatisfactory report, why would he find it acceptable. The client was usually a big bank. As far as my personal writing deadlines that is always an issue. Creating a story or article that satisfies a payment requirement is just not always easy or possible. Don't know about you, but just whipping up something to satisfy a deadline is not my style. I'm not a newspaper writer. I'd rather go back to the originator of the deadline and explain that my creative juices weren't flowing in an acceptable manner and I just couldn't meet submission date quickly enough. Usually I know ahead of time, at least time enough that if they can't deal with the reality they can seek another solution. I've learned that stress doesn't produce good writing. If I'm over stressing because I'm not able to create, that just makes it far worse.

It feels good to know that other writers have the same problem.... I think :)

That is a possibilty. I do find that with nonfiction I have less, but still have some from everynow and then. Intros especially

Sorry for the double post, but it just occurred to me that I probably never feel like I have writer's block because I usually have so many projects going at once that I shift around to which ever one inspires me. Maybe that keeps the juices flowing...

Intros can be hard. Sometimes I just start and then revamp them later.

The just writing works for me most of the time, but not always.

Yesterday I came down with a stomach bug in the middle of an article. It was due today so this morning I drank a lot of water and told myself I could do it and I did it. At least I think I did it. Its probably sounds terrinble and my editor is thinking she needs a new writer. Am I paranoid or what? :)

Yes, I do get those times also - that's when it's time to go for a walk, clean a closet, or read something not related to what I'm writing (I have to set a time limit on that though or I'll do it for hours and hours).

do you take on a complete different project, like excercise, crochet, or something like this?

Have you ever been fired for not meeting a deadline? Are you a freelance writer?

Do you ever have to many notes and just can't figure out how to put them together? In other words you can't make it flow?

yeah I know what you mean. If i can't figure out how to put the notes together than the notes aren't much good

It doesn't matter how many notes I make if I can not get it together in a logical sequences of events or information. If it doesn't make sense, notes won't help. That space between written notes and gelling the writing together can be a huge gap. I can't speak for anyone else, but if I can't visualize in my mind where I'm going, I can't get there. For me it is like trying to walk a path on a dark night when I don't know where I'm going.

That makes sense. I can completely understand why this would make things easier.

Its the deadlines that make it worse. If I did not have deadlines I think I would be fine, but at the same time I think I would never finish a project if I didn't. Its a catch 22.

Its the distractions for me too. Someone I know is going to Iraq and I can't stop thinking about it.

Nice tips. Thanks. I've tried the reading one. It works sometimes. How do you like squiddo? I've begun to experiment with it. Its a bit confusing.