Do any of you do this to beat writer's block?

Lalaloopsy · May 13, 2017

Sometimes when I'm trying to come up with a plot, I write up reviews for my non-existent book from the perspective of many imaginary readers. It helps things flow easier for me.

For example:

1. This book was just so strange. Can you actually believe that Antonio stole his landlord's cat? Not only that, but why was he going around telling everybody that he was French? Everybody knows he was born and raised in Spain, his parents are notorious serial killers for Godsakes.

2. So why did Antonio want that cat? He's allergic! Also, why does he spend so much money on hair gel? He's bald!

3. The best part of the book for me was when he tried to become a sailor. I cried a little bit when he got lost at sea.

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See what I mean, it helps to create random personality traits and plots.

Lakey · May 13, 2017

This is a neat idea. I have a character in my book who is a writer, and I have entertained myself (and developed her) by writing reviews or blurbs for her books (which are not at all the sort of books I could imagine myself writing). But I've never thought of doing it for my own book. I like it!

Lalaloopsy · May 14, 2017

Glad to help. It's a fun way to come up with ideas when you're stuck.

TaylorSaville · May 17, 2017

That is such an interesting idea!

Layla Nahar · May 17, 2017

I like it, too - basically, as I see it, it's coming at the problem from a 'safe/hidden' angle...

read2live · May 17, 2017

That's a really interesting idea. It's not something I ever thought about before. I also rub a book blog, though it's been a little dormant of late. I might have to give this a try.

leifwright · May 17, 2017

Lalaloopsy said:
Sometimes when I'm trying to come up with a plot, I write up reviews for my non-existent book from the perspective of many imaginary readers. It helps things flow easier for me.

For example:

1. This book was just so strange. Can you actually believe that Antonio stole his landlord's cat? Not only that, but why was he going around telling everybody that he was French? Everybody knows he was born and raised in Spain, his parents are notorious serial killers for Godsakes.

2. So why did Antonio want that cat? He's allergic! Also, why does he spend so much money on hair gel? He's bald!

3. The best part of the book for me was when he tried to become a sailor. I cried a little bit when he got lost at sea.

-------------

See what I mean, it helps to create random personality traits and plots.

I hate to be a party pooper, but no, I don't do that, and there's a reason: I don't start writing until I have at least a modicum of an idea where I want the story to go.

That said, Number 2 made me laugh, because I used to have a cue-ball bald copy editor working for me who would spray hairspray up into the air over his head, then shake his head underneath the cloud of spray to make sure it evenly covered his head. And then he would mumble to himself and laugh maniacally.

To this day, 16 years later, I have no idea if he was doing it for everyone's benefit or if he was truly batshit crazy. And that makes it more fun.

Layla Nahar · May 18, 2017

I vote for batshit. Even if he was just messing with yall, that's still batshit.

_lvbl · Jun 29, 2017

WHile I don't do this, this made me laugh. It's good to treat this entire process with the adequate amount of humor!

Says-R · Jul 11, 2017

Whoa, this is interesting!

It's an interesting method to work from the perspective of the reviews that you would like to receive.

CathleenT · Jul 25, 2017

I've never tried this, but anything that works is good.

DanielSTJ · Sep 5, 2017

This sounds HIGHLY intriguing. Something worth checking out-- in my head that is!

AielloJ1 · Sep 6, 2017

Really interesting idea. When people get writers block it can be really hard to overcome it obviously. Different and unique ideas are always helpful!

dot-dot-dash · Oct 24, 2017

What a great idea. Just waiting for the coffee to arrive before giving it a go...

Laiceps · Oct 24, 2017

Haha, I do this. Sort of. I used to love reading all of those snarky YA book review blogs. I did a snarky book review on one of my stories once and boy did I catch a load of plot holes and stupid things. It was fun. But also not fun at all

LittleSimon · Nov 3, 2017

Whoa, I love this. Need to try this.

Do any of you do this to beat writer's block?

Lalaloopsy

Lakey

professional dilettante

Lalaloopsy

TaylorSaville

A Gritty, Delicate Elegy

Layla Nahar

Seashell Seller

read2live

leifwright

Mired in the miry mire.

Layla Nahar

Seashell Seller

_lvbl

Says-R

CathleenT

I write

DanielSTJ

The Wandering Bard

AielloJ1

dot-dot-dash

..-

Laiceps

Busy doing nothing

LittleSimon