Writer’s Block. Some authors claim to never have it. I don’t believe them.
When the ideas flow effortlessly from my brain down to the tips of my fingers, nothing is more fun than writing. Nothing. But sometimes this idea factory shuts down. When that happens, all production slows to a halt and I feel paralyzed by my inability to make the next move.
But if every time this happened I sat there and waited for the blockade to lift, I’d be writing a book every 10 years.
Writer’s Block can occur in varying degrees of intensity and arise from a wide array of causes, but the best approach is a proactive one. Here’s some simple ideas for attacking the problem:
1. Snare the Snippets. This is something I just started while writing SCOUT. For this, you don’t need to wait for writer’s block to strike. It’s more of “The best defense is a good offense” type strategy. Grab your notebook. Go sit on the couch. Write down quips and witticisms your characters could say. We all love one-liners when we watch movies. Guess what? They are even more fun to write for your own book. You don’t have to use them if they don’t work, but coming up with snippets of dialogue and repartee is a fun way of working on your characterization and can help you lead your plot in ways you didn’t expect. And don’t forget to write them down!
2. Take a shower. I am never more clean than when I am working hard on a project. It’s relaxing. You feel no pressure to write anything down and yet there is nothing else to do besides think through plot points.
3. Exercise. Get some blood flowing to your brain. It can’t hurt, right?
4. Make a mess. If nothing seems to be working, allow yourself to make a mess of your project. Write a scene that is fun, but maybe doesn’t advance the plot. Don’t worry about the quality of writing. You can still learn about your characters and maybe even your plot.
5. Skip ahead. Don’t know what goes next? Skip to a scene you do know. Skip to the ending. Are you really excited about a scene three chapters ahead? Why save it? You beat writer’s block by doing, not by staring at blank screens.
6. Rein it in. Goals are great, but can be daunting when we’re having trouble meeting them. I used to set goals to write, say, 2,500 words. Then when I sat down to start, the end seemed so far away that I would decide that it wasn’t a good day to try to meet that goal. Then, I’d shirk writing altogether. If this is you, change your goal to something smaller. I changed mine. Now, I consider it a good day if I write 1,000 words. But, writing every day is key. No matter how little. 500 words? I’ll take it. But, I write something every single day.
7. Write a script. Ok, this is a new one for me, but as y’all know I wouldn’t mind writing SCOUT as a traditional novel at some point. Writing a script allows you to think in scenes. Think of it as advanced outlining.
Status: I sent a query letter out today and within minutes got my first request for SCOUT!!!! And it is one of my dream agencies! I’m going to spend a few more days preparing everything, then pop it in the mail.
7 Comments
July 16, 2008 at 10:11 pm
When it hits me, with varying degrees of severity, I take short to long walks around town. Helps clear my mind and regain my focus again.
July 17, 2008 at 12:03 am
Those are good methods, but obviously geared at fiction writers. I suppose certain parts can apply to nonfiction writers as well, like writing parts of the book that are down the road.
Sometimes, funny enough, I find that editing un-clogs me. If I go over old material I can either write in enough new stuff around it to feel better, improve upon its quality dramatically enough to feel better or generally get inspired by what I’ve already written enough to motivate me to move forward again.
Any extra tips for nonfiction writers, though? (and yes, I know it’s Fumbling with Fiction, not, Nauseous with Nonfiction)
July 17, 2008 at 12:27 am
Mmmmm…Nauseous with Nonfiction. Are you considering a new title for your blog, Jay? I think it’d be a huge hit.
I’ve only written one nonfiction article (aside from school papers) so I can’t say I really know, but I do think editing can really help. At the very least it is productive.
And great suggestions, Georgie. Sounds like you live in an amazing place!
July 17, 2008 at 2:19 am
Congrats on the agent request – good luck!
July 17, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Sure do.
A slice of country smack dab in the middle of surburbua, only minutes from the state capitol (Hartford, CT).
I live across the street from Cedar Mountain, and occasionally, I hike up it to think, meditate and clear my head.
Congrats on the agent query, I’m sure you’ll have lots of future success.
July 23, 2008 at 8:18 pm
[...] For other posts on the process of writing read: The Squee and 7 Ways to Beat the Block [...]
August 25, 2008 at 5:51 pm
For the record: I wrote 12 screenplays before I finished my first novel, and you are correct, it’s a great training ground for writing a novel. It helped me develop pacing and dialog. When you can sit down and write a novel with a vision of it from beginning to end before you type your first word, you’re golden, and your book will be that much better for it.