Problems Faced When Writing

One of the problems I faced in writing is the lack of ideas, or continuity of ideas. Its fancier term is writer’s block. The problem will show itself in two different disguises. I would either have absolutely no idea what to write or I have a great idea but I would be totally clueless when it comes to developing the idea. Some experts (or so they claim), suggest the use of mind mapping to help the flow of ideas during the writing process. It works well enough, but only if you actually now what to write about. But I feel that nothing can help me once I’m afflicted with the headache inducing writer’s block.

Another problem is a lack of interest. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against writing, as long as it is about something I can actually write about. I like reading and writing fictions. Journals are quite allright, I can still manage that. Writing something academic/factual on the other hand is a misery for me because I don’t have the head for figures, statistics and facts. I don’t like academic type of writing because I feel that they are a constraint. Freeform writing or fiction is more flexible because I can let my imagination run wild and come up with a variety of ideas. This doesn’t mean that I am any good at it, far from it. It does however, make things easier when you can write whatever it is that pops up in your mind (a purple scaled, slime oozing, fire breathing dragon) rather than stressing out on the facts and figures (what kind of gas is responsible for the thinning of the ozone layer).

My biggest problem when it comes to writing may seem absurdly ridiculous, but it is what I struggle with. TENSES... I always get confused as to what tense I should use. I’m serious, this is no joke. I know, I know. I’m a TESL student; dealing with tenses should be like a walk in the park. While it may be nonexistent to some people, it is a real problem for me. The final draft of my writing often looks like the end product of a mixing machine, all the tenses jumbled up together. Thank god for the spellcheck. Whoever thought of that, is an absolute genius.

Despite all the problems I’ve listed above, a miracle does occur sometimes. When the alignment of the stars is just right, I would be blessed with an abundance of ideas. Everything falls into place, the plot/ideas actually makes sense and the writing process flows smoothly. It doesn’t happen as often as I would like it too, but when it does, it’s heavenly.