Writers Block - how do you get past it?!

[01demai]

I've gotten well and truly stuck in my novel. I left it for a while, came back and edited everything I had but still can't get past that one point >.< Any tips?

[Scribhneoir]

Do you know what's got you blocked? For instance, do you have a flaw in your story logic? Characters acting uncharacteristically? A need to research something?

If you can figure out why you're blocked, it'll be easier to come up with a strategy for getting unblocked.

[01demai]

That's a good point - it's really the whole turn around of the plot - the victims suddenly becoming the warriors if that makes sense so it's the moment where the tables are turning and I just can't seem to make it click...

[Scribhneoir]

So, it sounds like it's a combination of story logic and characters. If your victims suddenly become warriors, is there a damn good reason for them to do so? Or is it simply to serve the needs of the plot?

What makes them stiffen their backbones and fight? Why weren't they warriors before and what has changed for them now? Is it a logical, motivated change or does it come out of the blue?

[katiemac]

Back track. Read your work as far back as necessary and analyze what's happening. It could be you have a flaw that's forcing you to stop and take a look. If not, reading up on your own work might kick start your idea process again and let you pick up right where you left off.

[stormie]

At some point in the story, ask yourself, "What if...." Let go of where you might have sub-consciously been making the story move toward and take a totally--even absurd--path.

[regdog]

Look back to where you were able to have the story flow and then write in a notebook every scenario that comes from there. If the options differ from where you left off go in the new direction. Or see if the new ideas can blend with the old idea.

[01demai]

There's some brilliant ideas here guys, i do appreciate this. There is a reason as to why the characters are changing - but perhaps it is too sudden. If I think about it, although the trigger is there, it would be ridiculous to expect characters to gather their courage so quickly...

[ABekah]

One thing that works for me when I get blocked is that I'll start writing further into the story (I just make sure it is in another color font) and write from there. Eventually, I can come back to the scene that was blocking me and work on it. Of course, that only works if you know where you are going with the direction of the entire story.

[C.M. Daniels]

I always have multiple projects going at once. This way, I keep working on something while giving myself distance from the project I'm blocked on. Usually, I'm able to pick things up again.

[01demai]

Also a good idea ^^ I did write the very last page but that's a bit far down the line! I've got a pretty good idea of what I want to happen after a certain point

[tehuti88]

I usually just keep writing, throwing things at my characters to keep them on their feet so the story keeps going (though the things I throw at them have to fit into the logic of the story).

When I got stuck on a plot point though, I had to just stop, go outside, and sit there for a long while, mulling over all the options of which direction the plot should take to reach where I wanted it to go. I looked at each option, thought over what each one would entail if I followed it, weighed the pros and cons of each choice, and, most important of all, thought about how each choice would affect the outcome I wished to reach. (Sure, Choice #1 might sound easiest or most logical right now, but taking it through to its conclusion, would it really be?) Then I went with the option which fit my desired outcome the most. THEN I thought up the events that should lead to this point, so I would know what to write next so it all fit together. (I'm not an outlining type, but every so often I have no choice.)

It sounds like you might be in a similar position, so there's nothing wrong in stepping back from the story and taking some time to just think hard over where it needs to go next, and maybe daydream a little about the different possibilities of how it will get there. Worked for me. :)

Either way, good luck.

[01demai]

Thanks very much, I think maybe I had such a concrete idea stuck in my head that I'm forcing my story into a direction that is just doesn't want to go! I know how I want it to end but you may well be right in saying there are other ways to get to it!

[GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc]

For me... when I take a shower I get flooded (sorry for the bad pun) with good ideas. Probably because whilst in the shower I can't really write anything down.

[ChaosTitan]

For me... when I take a shower I get flooded (sorry for the bad pun) with good ideas. Probably because whilst in the shower I can't really write anything down.

When I get stuck on a scene, I tend to get my best solutions while either taking a shower or driving in my car. I think it's because it frees up my imagination to work out the problem. And if it's the correct solution, it will stick with me until I'm in a position to write it down.

[KWHolland]

Oddly enough, the shower also works for me. In fact, some days I take three or four!

(Er, sorry about that unattractive mental picture....)

[GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc]

Oddly enough, the shower also works for me. In fact, some days I take three or four!

(Er, sorry about that unattractive mental picture....)

Well, cleanliness is... admirable! :D

Glad I'm not the only one who gets idea-struck in the shower.

[01demai]

Lmao, the shower seems a miracle item!!! You know, I just started talking it out - it was very much a one-sided conversation with my sister but as I was telling her all these possible ideas that i had in my head going with Tehuti88 and HeaGrg's advice of thinking of all the different possible scenarios, suddenly a mass of ideas came and seemed to click! It means changing a couple of ideas around in the story but otherwise what I have been stuck on for months finally seems to be unravelling itself! I'll just go take a shower now to finish that thought process off :P but otherwise this could be finally a new gate opening up! Thank you very much everyone for your contributions and keep them coming! I'm sure you'll help other people with this great advice and I may well get stuck again! :D Much love to you all!

[kzmiller]

Baths work great too. With salts and candles.

I know it's tough being stuck but take heart. Sometimes writer's block signals that you're going into uncharted territory. If you dare to go on, it may end up being some of your edgiest and freshest writing. It's also great practice for perseverance, a necessary skill especially when you get to the marketing stage.

Ugh. Marketing. Ugh!

[yttar]

When I'm stuck, I usually can't figure out exactly why I'm stuck, so I will talk to my husband. I try to talk about my current problem, because that's the only thing I'm stuck on, right? Though usually just by talking to him, I'm able to figure out a lot more about the story, the characters, their backstories, the world, etc. just by talking to him. And yeah, sometimes the conversations are a bit one-sided, but usually just voicing ideas helps. Besides, I figure if an idea sounds really stupid when I'm trying to explain it to my husband, even if he isn't listening to me, then it'll probably sound stupid to everyone else.

Yttar

[Nateskate]

First, congrats on getting this far.

My suggestion is to "not panic", thinking you've hit some fatal flaw in your story. Many stories require suspension of belief, and the reader just goes with the flow if the story is good.

Second, just put some kind of bookmark at this point in the story. Then write the rest as if this bump in the road doesn't exist. Then go back to this with fresh eyes and if the story is great, you will eventually find a way to press through this and other inconsistencies.

I wrote a monster sized Epic Fantasy, and this happened to me multiple times, and after doing exactly this same thing, I've learned not to get bent out of shape when something needs to be fixed.

It's kind of like a home makeover. You paint whatever is in reach, and when you see that ninety percent of the rooms are painted, the hard parts don't seem as bad. "Oh, I just have to find a way to get that little piece that seems out of reach."

[Clarec]

I've got a similar situation in a story I'm writing - a HUGE plot hole I just can't get round. I've finished the rest of it, gone back to revise and edit other stories and made loads of notes on new ideas (I get most of mine just as I'm falling asleep so stagger around scribbling random notes on pieces of paper!) but I still can't think of a suitable solution. I think I know deep down I need to do heavy rewrites but I'm not ready for that. Luckily I have more than enough to keep me busy for now.

Hope you find your answer. I think getting past writer's block is a personal thing i.e. whatever works for you, but in general I think the key is keep writing!

Clare

[Metaphor]

For me... when I take a shower I get flooded (sorry for the bad pun) with good ideas. Probably because whilst in the shower I can't really write anything down.

You can write stuff down :D I have a finely honed shower-writing technique lol. What you do is you write with your finger on the steam/ condernsation of the plasticky/glass walls of the shower. That doesn't work on tiles though, obviously, and you can't fit much in either. It steams up again after a while, but if you keep rewriting over it, then you can keep it 'til you get out :P

Yes, I am mad.

[01demai]

You can write stuff down :D I have a finely honed shower-writing technique lol. What you do is you write with your finger on the steam/ condernsation of the plasticky/glass walls of the shower. That doesn't work on tiles though, obviously, and you can't fit much in either. It steams up again after a while, but if you keep rewriting over it, then you can keep it 'til you get out :P

Yes, I am mad.


Lol that may well be the best thing i've heard yet - not that I shall be copying that, but power to you for having mastered the shower-writing technique!

[FennelGiraffe]

You can write stuff down :D I have a finely honed shower-writing technique lol. What you do is you write with your finger on the steam/ condernsation of the plasticky/glass walls of the shower. That doesn't work on tiles though, obviously, and you can't fit much in either. It steams up again after a while, but if you keep rewriting over it, then you can keep it 'til you get out :P


You could use soap crayons (http://www.amazon.com/Bath-Crayons-Draw-Tiles-Cleanup/dp/B000R17YZQ/ref=pd_sim_ba_5). :tongue

[GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc]

You could use soap crayons (http://www.amazon.com/Bath-Crayons-Draw-Tiles-Cleanup/dp/B000R17YZQ/ref=pd_sim_ba_5). :tongue

:O

Genius.

I must purchase some.

[CR.Casanova]

Maybe you should try and leave it rest for a while, and in the meantime try to think of other things, or rest. When your head is cooler come back to your work and edit it. Change things if you feel you have to. I know it is hard to remove parts that we put a lot of effort in, but sometimes we have to be mercyless so we can give our work the best possible quality.

I hope it helps!

[Lady Cat]

I usually have more than on WIP on the go, the theory being that if I get bogged down in one I can switch to another. If that doesn’t work then I have been known to jump around in the story itself. In fact, one of my current WIP I seem to be starting with the ending and working my way backwards.

What can I say? The muse wants what the muse wants. Who am I to argue with the muse? :Shrug:

[Teena]

I've been procrastinating alot. There's something wrong with my WIP that eludes me but I fear it means a MAJOR rewrite. And I don't like to read the kind of novel that mine is turning into of its own volition. I can't explain it, but big problem there! So I've been jumping into the AW poetry forum and writing bits & pieces in the exercises and games section. [Join us - it's fun and encourages creativity. ]

Perhaps I'll pick up one of the outlines from my bottom drawer and have a go at writing on another book for a while. My MC in the current WIP will hopefully get jealous and call me back with insight. :D

Good luck!

[Mad Queen]

The shower has always worked for me too. In fact, there is where I got the initial idea for my WIP. Today I rewrote a whole chapter based on the thoughts I had while I was taking a shower.

[01demai]

Haha everyone is so creative with their methods!