Anyone else get stuck...

....by things that don't even have to happen yet?

I've noticed something this past week because I've been having this problem. Sometimes I get stuck on the scene I'm writing, usually because I'm writing with the wrong tone or something for that particular section and it takes a bit to figure it out.

The past week or so, however (and this is also a common problem for me), I've been stuck on parts that happen in another chapter or two. I actually even know the next two immediate scenes and have part of it written out on a notepad, but I can't write it yet because I'm so stumped by this part that comes after that. I've reread through my work, which usually is enough to give me a jump start, but until I've got some direction again and no where I'm going I'm basically grounded. This is probably one of the main reasons I'm a slower writer, honestly.

I figured out yesterday what the problem is, so now I just have to sort out where to have this particular scene happen and what one of the characters is going to do. I'll probably find someone to talk it out with and that usually does it for me, but finding that person isn't always easy.

Anyway, does anyone else have this problem? If so, what's your method for dealing with it?

I actually have the whole thing outlined and mostly figured out. My current problem is more like Namatu's. Basically I had figured something out perfectly, then forgot about it before I could write it down.

I tend to agree that usually it means I went wrong somewhere, though in this particular case it's a matter of figuring out the character and which reaction I want to have happen. I have two options, and depending on how the character finds out about something his reaction will be completely different. I had settled on one, know I don't like the other, but now I don't remember how he happened to find out. Because the next scenes I write deal with the part before that, it influences the scene coming up, if that makes sense. So if I want to get it right so that the scenes later on work, I have to sort that out and make sure that the ones I'm doing now don't screw that up so the only option is the second that I don't want to do.

I'm sorta thinking I've got at least a hint of direction now, but it basically means keeping certain aspects of what's going on from one of the other characters so he doesn't get pissed about it. I've just got to work out the impetus for my narrator going to him to discuss it in the first place.

Haha, that's how I got the original really awesome idea. The only problem was that it was 1030 at night and I was walking home and it was dark so I figured I'd be better off just waiting. I wrote down parts of the conversation when I got back, just not what led up to it, so the conversation is fine, it's just the how to get there part I don't remember.

I agree, though. I get some of my best head-writing done while walking. And considering I don't have a car here and have to walk everywhere, that equates to a lot of thinking.