Blocked

[sheadakota]

I don't often get writer's block but I am seriously stuck and need some advice-

I am writing a scene in my wip concerning the rape (Or attempted rape) of one of my MCs- she is actually being attacked by her lover who has been possessed by an evil entity- this woman also has a history of being sexually abused as a child-

I have been working on this scene for weeks now and that is not like me- I am seriously stuck and find I can't move forward and I can't go backwards until I get this done- also not like me- I get that first draft down and then go back and clean it up, but I can't seem to get the emotions down this time

Now I realize that the fact that I was raped as a teen probably has somethng to do with this- but I was counting on using those feelings to get me through this scene- but I can't bring them to the front of my brain- any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!

[Diamond-Raven]

If you're having a really tough time getting through such a traumatic scene, maybe you can have your character mentally leave the situation. I did the same thing during a story where I was writing about a child being sexually abused. I focused on writing about what the character was thinking about (their "safe place") and kept the rape as a constant background presence by including details about certain noises, smells and shadows. Thus, I never described the actual rape but it was still obvious to the reader that a rape was going on.

You could always write about the character thinking about their "safe place" first and then put certain details about the rape in later. This would allow you to keep a mental distance with the scene. The little details about the rape which you include could also be used later to trigger flashbacks for the character.

[alleycat]

I don't know whether it would help or not, but here's one suggestion.

Break the writing down into separate "components". First, just do a simple step-through of the action: this happens, then this happens, etc. Don't try to describe the emotion of the characters at this point, or even do much dialogue (though you can if you feel compelled). Think of it as watching a movie with the sound off in slow motion. Write it down. Don't worry about whether it's "good writing" or not. This will just be a framework or "skeleton".

After you can describe what is happening in the scene, go back and describe what the characters are feeling, what they are saying, what they see and feel physically (and don't forget to use all senses). When you finish this it will probably still be rough and uneven at this point.

Now you have a rough draft. Go make and make a first-pass at writing it so that it flows and that a reader would understand and empathize with the main character.

Then (maybe) move on.

Just an idea.

[NeuroFizz]

First, I'm so sorry for your experience in this matter. I'm wondering if that experience is taking you too deep into this scene. If you are trying to get all of your personal emotions to come out in your character (which is realistic writing), it may be slowing the pace of the scene to a crawl, and on edit this dooms it. If you can pick one aspect of the emotional experience and hit it hard, but let the rest go, maybe the scene will move better for you. The "less is better" concept can be used in overly emotional scenes when that emotion overtakes the movement of the story. Don't know if that's really the problem with your scene, but it's something to consider.

[Jerry B. Flory]

but I was counting on using those feelings to get me through this scene- but I can't bring them to the front of my brain- any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!

Open a new page. Take you character out of the story. Write more scenes in other places. Different environments, different people involved. In the stream of your consciousness there are my rocks, logs and flotation devices which to cling.
Let go.
If you're writing this you're daring to let a teenage girl express herself. Her anger, her, frustration, futility, humility, whatever she feels.
Let her speak. If you don't like it in the limelight of your story take her to the park, the coffee shoppe. Put her through therapy with your own ideal psychiatrist.
Just talk to her.
And more importantly, listen.

[Phaeal]

Alleycat's suggestions make sense to me. In this (and many similar cases), using your emotional memory to attack this scene may just be too painful and intimidating. A more cerebral or detached approach might get you through the first draft -- it could be your writer's "safe place." Later, as slowly as you need to, you could layer in the emotion.

[tehuti88]

I'm afraid I haven't any advice, but wished to commiserate--I've written some pretty graphic stuff (in my more adult work), but when I attempt to have my abused characters relate nasty things that have happened to them in more PG-13 writing, I find I get completely stuck, it just becomes so difficult to convey things properly. And I haven't even been in your situation. So I definitely know the feeling and it's good to know I'm not the only one. I hope you find a solution that works for you. (My only solution has my characters struggle through it much as I do in the writing.)

[Jerry B. Flory]

Another good way to approach this is to Jerry Bruckheimer the hell out of it. Blow it up, make it so extreme, drastic and severe that your own experience pales next to it.
When you can read it back and say "thank god that never happened to me," then you've written yourself out of it.

[sheadakota]

Thanks one and all- I really didn't intend for this character to go this route, but she insisted it was best for the story, so who was I to argue, right?

I honestly didn't think it was going to be so difficult- the intellecual side of me realizes why- unresolved issues yada yada- but I thought I had moved past this- it happened a lifetime ago and I ussually don't dwell on it becuase it serves no purpose to do so- but I supppose this character hits a little close to home wether I want her to or not-

excellent advice given here - to distance myself and put myself outside the scene and just hit on one emotional aspect makes a lot of sense- i will try to do this and see if it helps- as it stands now the scene stinks- very flat and lifelelss and safe- not at all how I want it to read- this is the emotional climax of the novel and it most defintely is not reading that way as it stands- Thanks all for the wonderful suggestions and the understanding.

Annie

[The Lonely One]

I don't often get writer's block but I am seriously stuck and need some advice-

I am writing a scene in my wip concerning the rape (Or attempted rape) of one of my MCs- she is actually being attacked by her lover who has been possessed by an evil entity- this woman also has a history of being sexually abused as a child-

I have been working on this scene for weeks now and that is not like me- I am seriously stuck and find I can't move forward and I can't go backwards until I get this done- also not like me- I get that first draft down and then go back and clean it up, but I can't seem to get the emotions down this time

Now I realize that the fact that I was raped as a teen probably has somethng to do with this- but I was counting on using those feelings to get me through this scene- but I can't bring them to the front of my brain- any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!

Normally, I would suggest that bringing things to the "front" of your brain isn't the idea; that writing from the "back" of your brain is. This means no-holds-barred writing straight from the subconscious to your veins to the page. However, given you've cited personal experience I don't feel I have the psychological know-how to give that suggestion confidently.

This is a tough situation, because I don't think this is what most people refer to as "writer's block." I might suggest talking to a knowledgeable expert about your project and any possible ramifications. This just makes me concerned that (and I don't know your situation, so please forgive me if this is incorrect) this issue has the possibility of side-swiping you when you get in that frame of mind to write the scene well.

I am by no means an expert on this topic, however my advice comes from my closeness to someone who has been effected by this, and the very deep ripples I have seen it make in them.

Truly, best of luck to you with the story.

[zornhau]

Does the scene have any real, immediate conflict? Or is it really just describing a - for want of a better word - procedure?

For example, is the victim struggling to escape, or to get into a protective headspace? Or is the posessee desperately trying to fight the demon?

No struggle, no scene.

[sheadakota]

Yup, the scene is a pivitol moment in the book- the whole good vs evil thing- it is not only about the female being attacked, but about the man she loves in his own private battle to conquer the tihng that has taken him over- he is aware of what he is doing and is helpless to stop himself- until SHE gives him the strength to do so-

I wanted to thank everyone for their wonderfully helpful and thoughtful replies both here and privately, I hunkered down last evening and battled my own demons and wrote the scene- once I got over the hump, the words started flowing and the scene, as rough as it is right now,gave me somethign to work with. You are talented, kind and generous people and I am honored to cyber-know you.

Annie

[tehuti88]

I'm glad to hear the scene is working out at last. :) Sometimes just going for it is the only thing one can do.

I hope it continues to work out!

[Moon Daughter]

I don't know if others have mentioned this because I didn't read the other comments, but what if you just closed your eyes and envisioned the scene and had a piece of pen and paper near you to write things you immediately feel? I'm sure it can't be an easy thing to write, especially with your past ((which I'm very sorry to hear about :( )).