<p>Hey, I thought parents would have the best advice for this - I'm getting a D+ in college english (had a B+ last quarter) because I can't bring myself to do any of the written assignments. I havn't heard back from my top choice, but this one class could end up getting me rescinded if I don't improve. I have no issues doing the work for chem, physics, poli sci (writing assignments are strictly factual/research type), and calc. </p>
<p>So, what does everyone do when they have to write something but just can't bring themselves to do so?</p>
<p>I suggest you do more research, whatever the assignment is. Google related topics and really delve into it until you find some spark of interest that gives you ideas and something to say and makes the writing flow with more ease. When I was working as a newspaper reporter, I had a grizzled old-fashioned editor who used to say, "If you have trouble writing the lead, you haven't done enough reporting." My two cents.</p>
<p>Some other ideas, in addition to jazzymom's. Each separate; choose one you think might work for you:
1. Do not face the entire assignment. Sit down and tell yourself you will write 2 sentences. That is all. Then, do something else entirely. Relax, exercise, read, do homework in another topic, go to dinner, sleep... Repeat, until you are done. Best if spread out over a number of days.
2. Sit down and write whatever comes to your mind on the topic. Do not worry about whether it is well-phrased, or well-organized or spelled right or correct grammar. Just get it down on paper. Come back another time and work with it, edit it and polish it.
3. Read the writing prompt/assignment. Read it again. Put on your running shoes and go for a run. Think about the prompt. Come back and immediately sit at your desk and write what you thought of while running.
4. Make a list of bullet points of what you know/want to say about the subject. Or an outline. Not a fleshed out written piece. Include bullet points that you want to cover but don't know enough about. Later, sit down to flesh out just one at a time, following jazzymom's more research idea on points where you need to.
5. A variant on jazzymom's "more research" method. From your reading, yellow highlight any idea you think worthwhile to include in your paper - a sentence here, a phrase there, from all of your sources. Take all the highlighted bits and pieces and organize them into an orderly presentation. This will serve as the skeleton of your paper and give you a road map to follow.</p>
<p>Thanks jmmon and jazzymon. I just finished an essay in the nick of time using methods #2/3 (didn't run, did some more CAD modeling). I think I'm going to try more of #5 with the upcoming books and assignments because I do find myself writing essays in my head while reading but forgetting them when a prompt is given.</p>
<p>I personally have this weird habit where if I read something, my voice as a writer kind of takes on the voice of the author of whatever I just read. As a result my essays on Hemmingway are a lot more terse than those on Hawthorne. It's probably just a personal quirk, but if you think it'll work for you, try reading something by an author whose style you admire right before you work.</p>
<p>Great advice ,jmmom. No. 3 is especially inspired. Often, my best thinking and ideas for writing come at night when I'm alone and walking the dog. </p>
<p>cwatson: Another time that ideas flow, ironically, is when one is lying in bed and about to fall asleep. If you're not writing something at the last minute --- and don't because good writing is really rewriting --- do the advance work that jmmom suggests and then turn your thoughts to that task as you're lying in bed. You can keep a notebook nearby to jot down thoughts and inspiration about the project. This can be as simple as the outline, a structure to follow, but having that in hand will make the actual writing much easier.</p>
<p>I write for money and have the same problem sometimes. It's a stupid game your mind is playing on you to psych yourself out. Don't let the bad side win!</p>
<p>I sometimes find it very helpful to get a very good night's sleep, get up extremely early (say, 5 am) and write before I have to do anything else, before anyone is awake. A cup of coffee or tea with milk and a very quiet house can really help. Don't put on the tv or radio. Just some Mozart or Bach on the headphones, brain music.</p>
<p>I'd add jmmmom's bullet points idea is excellent. I use that alot myself. I'll think about what I am going to write, jot down the main ideas as bullet points and go back and fill them in with facts, quotes, etc. as I write. I keep the main bullet points separate at the top to keep me focused.</p>
<p>Another very babyish thing I sometimes do is give myself rewards. I say, ok if I write for a half hour straight I get a 5 minute snack. If I write for another 1/2 hour I get chocolate. If I write for an hour straight I can play 1 game of solitaire.</p>
<p>Writers are often procrastinators. But your procrastination is having dire consequences. Pretend you are writing for money. IN a way, you are!</p>
<p>I write for a living, too. Two suggestions to add to your listL</p>
<h1>6: Write down something. Anything. No matter how bad it is. Then edit it. The idea here is that it may be more comfortable for you to edit than to write. Nobody ever talks about "editor's block," right?</h1>
<h1>7: Start in the middle. There is no law that says you have to write the introduction first, then the body of your paper, then the conclusion. Start with one of the middle paragraphs, and write the beginning later.</h1>
<p>jazzymom, sometimes I'll think about a piece I am writing before I go to sleep, and find I wake up with some good ideas on how to organize and approach it. That notebook by the bed - or nearby computer access - then becomes really important. I also get great ideas while taking a shower or a long car ride. And dog walking is great too - move your body, move your brain!</p>