Home > Writing Tips > How do you handle writer's block?

AuthorMessage
theheadlessauthor What I do is...well, putting the pen down and lying down. Then I imagine the scenes from the story in my head and let the characters run wild. That usually gives me the gall to write again. I just got over having writers block for a goood long while, so...yeah.

And coffee helps. Especially Snickerdoodle coffee mixed with your basic cofee. Coffee....bows
Posted at 2008-09-11 17:21:13
shadesmaclean Writer's Block is an insidious condition whose pathogens are many and varied. And, as I've learned from experience, treatments and cures for it can be equally varied and bizarre.

In my case, I've found that being emotionally drained, such as from excess stress at work, always dampens my creative energy, although physical exhaustion can do it, as well. There were nights I'd sit down, write a couple sentences... and then wake up at 3 am in a deserted living room. The holiday season is the worst for me; between late November and early January, I never get anything done, so a few years ago, I just gave it up and keep a good RPG handy (last year, I had lots of fun in Oblivion).

When it comes to real showstoppers, though, I've found that the answers to drawing blanks and filling plotholes usually come to me while I'm running (always listening to music), out and about (either on errands, or just for fresh air), or in the shower. For some reason whole cascades of ideas tumble through my mind like a waterfall while I'm washing my hair. Is it the flow of water, gentle massaging of my scalp, or what?...
Posted at 2008-09-16 13:14:29
Vandalization I find living and experiencing helps with Writer's Block. Everyone has their own form of life, so I can't give anything real specific. Basically try to do what makes you feel something. Sometimes it's going to see a movie, or reading a book, or taking the train, or even just sitting on a busy sidewalk and watching everyone looking at you with incredulous expressions.

I like to do quite a number of things, like the last three. Watching a movie costs money :( ...

Also, try to remember that not everything needs a moral, and never forgot a pen and paper when you go out.

Toodles!
Posted at 2008-09-18 21:22:41
Gabi4CSI I feel slightly freakish. I have yet to suffer a total writers block, I think my brain synapses are very different to a normal person. I tend to get an average of 4-5 (not necessarily good) new ideas per day.
Occasionally I have struggled to continue with the same story, usually because I have backed myself into a corner. If you are equally as daft, try re-reading everything you wrote so far. Often, you can see how you ended up blocking yourself in. Or you decide you can see a spin of series written between the line.
Either way!
xxx
Posted at 2008-10-23 11:51:45
isophoren Re-reading chapters, reading, listening to music. These are all things that help you change your state of mind, which is the key.

How can you write action if you aren't excited? Romance if you can't remember love? Fan fiction if you don't feel the characters?

Try to get into the state of mind of what you write and your hands will write the rest.
Posted at 2008-11-04 15:58:36
helluin Eureka!

I had a story jammed like an old-fashioned typewriter after a cat jumps on the keys.

I wrote a note to a fandom friend much taken with my work. I explained exactly where I was stuck, and outlined what I was trying to accomplish with the chapter.

She gave me feedback/reactions. That was marginally useful. More useful was my attempt to outline what I was trying to do with the chapter and where I was stuck. I had to sketch an outline of what I was aiming for. Even though I didn't have everything figured out, it got my muses cogitating, and two days later I suddenly had an all-day brainstorming session, wrote one and a half chapters and a detailed outline of the remaining TWENTY.
Posted at 2008-11-22 00:41:06

Log in!




Register Lost password

Filter

You won't see stories with a lower score when you browse or search. Log in to adjust filter.
0

 

Greed

Featured Story

Site Stats

  • Authors: 70648
  • Stories: 23453

Recent Stories

Site design Copyright 2005, K&D Lynch. All stories contained in this archive are the property of their respective authors, and the owners of this site claim no responsibility for their contents.

Page created in 0.0302 seconds (with no cache misses)