What Do Writers Write About When They Don't Know What To Write About?

I guess this a writer's version of how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

It's a bit of a conundrum, right? I mean there's no shortage of things to write about. Be it from my normal beat of marketing, advertising and branding? Or just from a holistic standpoint - there's plenty of things to talk about.

And Lord knows I am not one to be shy when it comes to sharing my opinion.

Ooh, maybe instead of the aforementioned woodchuck reference, this is akin to the tree falls in the forest inquiry:

If a writer writes about not writing, was it ever really written?

The Stumbling Block

Yes I am sure by now you're thinking "Steve, this is just about having writer's block, right?"

Well in a way it is but in another way, it's anything but for as I mentioned earlier there is no shortage of fodder for me to scribe about. Hey wait, maybe that IS the problem. Too many options.

I want chocolate.

I want vanilla.

I want avocado with mint and sour cream. (yes this is a real ice cream flavor)

Between United Airlines, Trump, Russia, Pepsi... did I mention Trump? There is more than enough meat on the bone, as it were.

So, this is not about writer's block.

It's nothing more than a writer not knowing what to write about. I guess this is kind of like what Charles Bukowski once said: “Writing about a writer's block is better than not writing at all."

Let me close this non-writing writing with a few of my favorite writing quotes along with my personal translation for each.

“Writers block occurs when a writer has nothing to say. Unfortunately not all writers experience it.” ― Ron Brackin

Translation: In this land of make believe and fake news this quote has NEVER been more applicable or apropos.

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” —Ernest Hemingway

Translation: Hell if the master himself didn't consider himself a master... all you butthead writers who think you're the shit, um... you ain't. Now go get your shine box.

“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can’t allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.” —Elmore Leonard

Translation: This just might be my ALL TIME favorite quote when it comes to writing because it speaks directly to me. I write the way people talk; the way they are. I don't give a rat's ass about the King's English in my writing.

I know the rhythm and sound of MY narrative and I stay true to it. If you don't like it... thanks for coming. Drive safely. Now go get your shine box.

And if you're among the uninformed who don't get the "shine box" reference, shame on you. First watch this clip then watch the whole cinematic-tour-de-force, Goodfellas.

So Who Is This Steve?

From being named one of the Top 100 Influencers In Social Media and a Top 50 Social Media Blogger a few years ago to most recently being named one of the 26 Content Marketing experts to follow in 2015, Steve has established himself as a well-respected influencer in the marketing, advertising and branding space. A regular contributor to Forbes and Huffington Post, his work has also appeared in ESPN, Ad Age, Ad Week Business Insider, Social Media Today, Marketing Land and Marketing Profs, to name but a few. Follow him on Twitter @steveolenski or at the nearest coffee shop.The views expressed here are Steve's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Oracle Marketing Cloud.

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