Breaking Writer's Block- the Lindelof Way

I haven't loved everything he is written, but I do like how he handles himself.

Here are four quick lessons on fighting writer's block from Damon Lindelof.

Let me talk about them real quick.

1. Find inspiration elsewhere

Obviously, what I am doing here. Read things, watch things, talk to people. Ideas and inspiration can come from a myriad of sources. I would suggest just experience life and be ready to notice. That is something that probably needs to be learned. "Go back to the same well."

2. Create Deadlines

We all did great work when we were pressed for time in school didn't we? That last minute push. Do it to yourself, not even to schedule, but to enforce the idea that you MUST get the writing done.

3. Collaborate When You Can

What a luxury for a TV writer, but the rest of us don't have that, do we? Find them! Use FB or Twitter to link up with someone to act as a sounding board. Let them read something and get ideas or seek out actual partnerships for writing. Never know you might learn something from their process!

4. Don't Go to the Supermarket Hungry

Ok, that sounds weird, but he was referring to being sure that you focus and not try to incorporate too many ideas. I can see how the others might lead to that and it is definitely a problem for me.

I love the simplicity and you can see him talking about these here:

Slow Death or Rebirth for Myspace?

Are we really watching the slow inevitable death of Myspace? With the integration with Facebook complete and the push towards what appears to be a mobile only function , isn't it time to call this one? One report says that Myspace is making $200 million less this year. They are functionally giving up on Myspace Music , which was always their bread and butter. Without the music tie in, why would people BOTHER with Myspace? I'm talking about it because my wife's band has used every medium known to mankind to promote themselves online and Myspace has been nothing but dead weight from the very beginning. Only bands and their most ardent fans go there. The rest are on Facebook. There is talk of selling Myspace, but who in their right mind would consider it? This will have some interesting implications for bands down the road. Many use Myspace as their de facto website, just pushing their domain name onto the customizable site. Now apparently, Reverbnation , a North Carolin

Being a Parent

While back, I wrote a post on Father's day about being a father and how being a parent is a job. I wistfully look back as I look forward to another school year quickly approaching and the evidence of my "work" is becoming less and less my handiwork. Our youngest has just moved on to middle school. Josh has moved into high school and the oldest has graduated from high school and about "start" her life. We've had a tacit arrangement with the kids. We do NOT want boomerang kids coming back to haunt us. So they have always been told, they are staying with us until they are REALLY ready to go out and that includes the joke that college has become. Sadly, despite the fact that I have spent a good chunk of my career working in higher education, I know that it is a folly to think that sending a child off to college is preparing them for much other than to have a lifetime of loans. Thankfully, Amanda has gotten the message. She has a plan to go to local c

Check out my appearance on the The Toddcast Podcast

Click and watch the podcast recording of my appearance on the Toddcast Podcast Such a fun time!

Todd Lyden

Search This Blog