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How much staring?

in Poetry Discussion

Billy Collins once said in a masterclass that the poet’s job is to “look at clouds and watch chipmunks” and that the writing process involves a lot of staring.

whats your blank staring to actual writing ratio? i think I stare out the window 99.999999% of the time 😂

4 answers3 replies

Comments (7)

Rachel Glass

Mar 04, 2021

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I don't necessarily look out of a window but I will stare at my notebook/laptop for a while and I have been known to just...look randomly around the room hoping words will magically appear 😂

Adam Gary

Mar 04, 2021

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I won't lie, and I fear this might come across as a brag more than I mean it to, but My ratio was pretty good. Once upon a time I used to go on daily walks, or people watch in parks etc and get a fair amount written. These days I neither stare nor write. Hopefully get my mojo back soon!

Naino Masindet

Mar 04, 2021

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Replying to

I'm sure it will! I think the more one tends to worry about a block, the longer it tends to go on. I know that's the case for me anyway.

I was just watching a Q&A earlier today and a question about creative blocks came up and what they do when it happens, and their answer was to just write about it. Make it a stream of consciousness and somewhere down that line something is bound to come about. I'll give this a go myself during my next block, hopefully this helps you once you have the time and space to try!

Adam Gary

Mar 04, 2021

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Replying to

@Naino Masindet Thank you Naino! Will have to give this a go for sure! :)

Matthew Hutchins

Mar 04, 2021

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Replying to

@Adam Gary dude. Same.

In college I was writing like it was oxygen. After getting a full time job I fell out of it and now I don’t really write frequently. It comes in quick bursts.

In editing mode I can get all surgical and mathematic and be productive, but the blank page sends my emotional walls up like nothing else.

Naino Masindet

Mar 04, 2021

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My blank stare to writing ratio is probably the same haha. I'll normally have music going and I'll just blankly stare at anything around me. I retreat into myself and kind of fast travel through my thoughts and just let them take me wherever. Eventually something pops up and I'll jot it down but that's 0.000001% of the time 😅

Anneli Strand

Mar 03, 2021

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I would say that I sit and stare 50% of the time. But the staring is part of the process. What I stare at is different depending on my mood. But a night sky with stars and a full moon. Or free flowing water is two major favorites.