The High Road Papers - Latest Comments in And Now for Something Completely Different

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

150 a day — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:40:48 -0000

i really hate those days when i cant think of anything good to write about

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Ned@Baltimore real estate inve — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:14:21 -0000

I try to go for a walk every day. I enjoy walking because it is a great way to relax and time for me to think. I find ideas flow when I am walking and often my best posts come out of ideas that come during a walk.

Try it. It is an enjoyable and healthy experience even if you don't get any writing ideas

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Ned´s last blog post..Evictions Made Easy</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Jeremy — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:39:41 -0000

Well, for having writer's block, you sure wrote a lot! You were probably just tired. When I'm tired I have a hard time thinking of things to write about, or talk about..... so I take a nap if I'm tired, maybe take in a movie or go for a walk if I'm NOT tired. Or maybe call up an old friend or a relative I haven't spoken to for a while. Chances are they'll say something that will spark a creative thought that leads to writing!

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Jeremy´s last blog post..Parthenogenesis</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

John Wake@Scottsdale MLS — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:43:33 -0000

Gawd, I'm jealous!

"Normally I sit at the keyboard and words just fall out of my head faster than I can type."

And they probably fall out in complete, well formed sentences.

I always had a feeling that you could just pour out posts like water from a pitch.

I like to read and study stuff and if I still have any energy left, write a one sentence post with the my conclusion.

[Yes Jonathan, one sentence posts are still legally considered "posts" in most states.]

Oh yeah, and it still takes me a long time to write a post.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>John Wake´s last blog post..FDIC policy - A good tranche of bad loans considered less risky than actual good loans!</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:49:53 -0000

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and show of support folks. The haze seems to be lifting slowly. It sort of freaks me out because I've never remotely had a problem like this.

This little "post about nothing" did help, but it took an inordinate amount of time to write. That's better than not being able to write at all. Yesterday's post was a little better.

I don't think my brain is broken. As many have suggested, it may just be all the... "stuff" that's going on in the world right now. Difficult to get one's arms around all that.

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Elaine Reese — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:32:55 -0000

Well, it's comforting to hear someone else has problems with the writing. I try to keep my posts as positive as I can, because people are getting enough bad news on the TV. Given the stock market and the politial fiasco, it really is hard to focus on spinning positives about the real estate market.

I couldn't help but think about Seinfeld as I was reading your post - a post about "nothing". Just look at how many comments you've received. ;-)

<abbr>Elaine Reeses last blog post..Lovely 3BR home for sale in Stratford Woods</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Brian Requarth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:21:30 -0000

Jay, I only wish I had writers block because that would mean that I am a writer! I just read your last post, you're back. If it happens again...try skydiving http://www.phoenixskydiving....

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Chris Butterworth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:52:39 -0000

Jay -

you remind me of a Saturday Night Live skit from a few (several) years ago, when they did a parody of Stephen King typing away at about 500 words per minute. Every 30 seconds or so he would stop, and bang his head in utter frustration, saying "Oh no, writer's bloc, no! no! no!". Then he would immediately resume typing at a frantic pace!

Maybe a little more caffiene & swearing, and a walk around the block?

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Jonathan Dalton — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:14:17 -0000

I'm upwards of a month myself ... it ebbs, it flows ... it also depends on the topic. I can slam out a wire story on a hockey game in 13 seconds but right now, on real estate, not sure what to write.

It could be that it's not us. These days, how do you make enough sense of what's happening to be able to write about it?

<abbr>Jonathan Daltons last blog post..Sorry, But I Can’t Help You</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Marianne Snygg — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:41:46 -0000

Jay: Steve has hit the nail on the head! If you're very prolific and all of the sudden you've got nothing, (which, btw, your blog was still interesting and helpful) perhaps there's something else on your mind...like this stock market and credit mess. We've all lost money that none of us can afford. That's got me stymied. Where the heck is the bottom of this??? It's stressing me, and it's all I can think about. It's what my last blog was about and look, I'm writing about it here too. Ug!

Ok, I need to take the walk and not blog for awhile!

<abbr>Marianne Snyggs last blog post..My Guitar Lessons</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Tina Fountain@Atlanta Real Est — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:04:27 -0000

Jay - now you know how most of us feel! I've found that when I'm having a hard time coming up with something to write it's easier for me to write about an experience that I've had. I suppose it's because I'm not having to create, but simply write about an event that I actually experienced.

<abbr>Tina Fountains last blog post..Marietta Luxury Home Price Reduction</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Candace Robinson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:11:31 -0000

I agree with Justin & Francy - take a little time and rejuvenate your thoughts. I'm thinking a little beach, little umbrella in a frosted glass and your sweetheart on your side. Best ingredients for a successful recipe. It's just temporary, Jay couldn't never be lost for words or ideas! We will wait for you.

<abbr>Candace Robinsons last blog post..Freeway Restrictions in the Phoenix Valley (Oct 10-13)</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Justin McHood — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:52:09 -0000

"I took off for a weekend last month
Just to try and recall the whole year
All of the faces and all of the places
Wonderin' where they all disappeared
I didn't ponder the question too long
I was hungry and went out for a bite
Ran into a chum with a bottle of rum
And we wound up drinkin' all night!"
-- Jimmy Buffett

Jeep + Northern AZ + Francy + Weekend = Cured.

Just a hunch.

<abbr>Justin McHoods last blog post..Chandler Arizona Mortgage Rates for October 7, 2008</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

MG @ The Arizona Housing Bubbl — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:53:51 -0000

I hear ya Jay, it's pretty easy to fall into writer's block. Sometimes it's being over-inundated with material (bailout, global rate cuts, new programs), and sometimes it's just the brain needing some rest...

Few good movies have come out lately. Maybe take an early lunch and go slack out at 10-11 when the movies open and sit back and enjoy some mindless entertainment in a nearly empty theater? That seems to do it a lot of the time.

Whatever you do though, get out of the house. Get some of that natural Vitamin D from that bright dot in the sky :)

<abbr>MGs last blog post..How Has YOUR 401k Performed With Regards To Year-To-Date Earnings (Or Losses) In 2008?</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Charleston Real Estate Blog — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:49:35 -0000

Jay, I'm surprised with your concept of random musings that you might ever have a day like this. But, having said that, I wrote a post a while ago about having nothing to write about and that was in fact a post; so you see, just like me, you did write something about nothing, maybe you're just having a Seinfeld moment.

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

julie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:35:09 -0000

I troll the latest headlines in various papers around the world to get new ideas. Sometimes I write about the headline...other times it just sends my thoughts somewhere else and suddenly I have an idea. Other times, like right now, I just read all my feeds and decide not to write anything! Helpful isn't it?! But if you REALLY had writer's block, you wouldn't have written anything at all, I am thinking. And this was actually a good post - something we all can relate to and comment on. I don't think real estate blogs always have to be about real estate. :)

<abbr>julies last blog post..Forget the market - Focus on the Deal!</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Chris P — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:21:29 -0000

Wow, that really was unexpected. I normally just play with my kids, or do something so that I can relax, and try not to think about writing. Also, my daughter has a story starter kit, sometimes I'll grab it and write something totally stupid, just to get the juices going. Good luck getting out of the funk though!

<abbr>Chris Ps last blog post..NFL Week 5 Thoughts and Predictions</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

bill@IT Governance — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:24:30 -0000

Writing about writer's block would appear to be a good way to get out of writer's block!

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Kim Wood — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:31:15 -0000

Dru pointed me in your direction after I sent a tweet complaining of writer's block a little bit ago. I know it can't be forced - but it's so frustrating when you want it "NOW" !!! I want it to come NOW!

(I'm just behind in my reader, or you would have given me more to think about.... :)

I liked what @LisaSanderson said, "Quiet your mind. Go for a walk. Meditate. Yoga. Anything to clear out the thinking. Then the writing will come."

<abbr>Kim Woods last blog post..Top 10 Tips: Sell Chester County House</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

SteveBelt — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:52:08 -0000

Well, Jay, you know I'm not a writer, but if you figure it out, please clue in Christoph.

Personally, I find with the dramatic fall in both the stock market and the housing market, it feels to me like my blog are rather small in the grander scheme. Plus, I know that as I watch 30% of my net worth disappear in barely longer than a blink, it makes writing a heck of a lot more difficult. We have recently had to make far more difficult decisions than what to write about on the blog today...and if you are weighed down by that, writing about anything is indeed difficult.

<abbr>Steve Belts last blog post..Fair Housing Laws: Understanding Protected Classes</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Shialesh Ghimire — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:12:14 -0000

I hear ya Jay. I too have faced these issues. In fact - like Dru - I wish I was able to write more - it seems like I do have ideas but the act of actually writing it down creates a block sometimes.

However, I do think Francy may have a point - walking away for a day or so and allowing your mind to clear would probably help. But then again like Heather said above - if you're writing about this stuff you don't have writers block! Just sayin'

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Petre Samson — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:59:08 -0000

Gr8 find. Nice to read this article.

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Dru Bloomfield — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:15:58 -0000

I would like to be more prolific, and am always amazed that you can write as much as you do.

Chris Brogan keeps it simple with 10 Blogging tips (http://www.chrisbrogan.com/... and 20 Blogging Projects for You (http://www.chrisbrogan.com/....

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Heather Elias — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:54:38 -0000

(grin) I feel your pain! Writing is the most fulfilling thing for me; I've often joked that writing is like having a baby, it comes when it is ready and not before. You can't force it! =)
Lately when I've gotten stuck, I've asked myself "what exactly are you trying to say" to clarify what's in my head. It helps some of the time..

If you can write a post about writers block, does that mean you don't have writers block anymore? ;) You'll be fine. Just sit down and start typing. It will come..

~Heather

<abbr>Heather Eliass last blog post..LoCo Photo: It’s Definitely Fall!</abbr>

Re: And Now for Something Completely Different

Linsey — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:48:16 -0000

When someone says, "Don't think of a pink elephant," immediately you think of a pink elephant. It's not dissimilar. As soon as you think about it as writer's block, it's writer's block. It's not. It might just be temporary boredom. Who knows.

Somehow, I don't find myself too concerned about a skilled and prolific blogger like yourself coming up with material or inspiration. You don't get great readership by accident.

Trust Francy. Take a quick break. We'll be here when you get back. :)