How do you beat writer's block? Do you go for a jog? Read a book? Go to a movie? Come on, share your secret - we're dying to know!
Hmmm, when I started my first for-real book back in my late teen years, well- I didn't beat writers block. I would write when I felt the urge, or had a scene in my head, and then not write when there was nothing there. Let me just say that I don't recommend this method since I got maybe 15,000 words written in about oh, um ten years. Yeah. Not cool.
When I started writing Daze and Knights, I didn't really have this problem. But, the main reason for this is that when I would clean, or run on the treadmill, or right before bed, I'd plan future scenes. I'd play them in my head. Sometimes, they would be what I needed next, other times they'd be scenes that would happen later on. That way, even if I wasn't writing the book from start to finish, at least I was writing. A lot of times I would have to fill in the in-between bits later.
If I'm really stuck on a spot, I'll quit for the day. I'll just be like, screw it, this isn't happening today. But then I go right back to it the next day, sometimes deleting what I did the day before, but usually with a better way, or a way to carry on the scene. Or if I really don't have a way to fix that problem, or move forward right from that spot, I'll move onto to something later. I'll come up with a way to fix the problem eventually.
So really, the best way for me is to just be able to think, away from the computer, on what I want to happen. On how I want my characters to interact. And usually I come up with something. Basically- I daydream.
Sometimes you just have to walk away and come back later. Whatever works, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteComing through on the campaign. Nice to meet you. I've kind of learned to live with the ebb and flow of my writing. I might write for a month straight and then nothing for months after that. As to story planning. I think about what excitement can come after the current chapter that fits in nicely with the story. It mightn't sound like a sane approach, but it works for me.
ReplyDeleteHow funny! I work the same way--my mind never strays far from my WIP. Even if I'm washing dishes, I'm still mentally writing. I rarely lose the trail, but when I do, I try not to panic, and purposely put it from my mind. Then it's like a challenge, the ideas kick down my mental door demanding to be heard. Hope it stays that way.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteFellow campaigner here, and writer's block has yet to come my way! ;)
best
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That's what I do, too. Usually when I come back to it, I can think about it more clearly. If not, it usually means the manuscript is in real trouble.
ReplyDeleteI usually find stepping away from the writing helps, too.
ReplyDeleteFellow Campaigner stopping by!
I"m always running scenes through my head, too.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I actually love when my stories are stuck in my head nearly 24/7.
ReplyDeleteHey fellow campaigner! I'm also a big fan of YA Highway, and now I'm a follower on your blog :) Hope to be blogging with you...
ReplyDelete