We have a number of really good threads asking for help coping with specific cases of writer's block, as well as a sticky "Famous writers on The Block" detailing well-known writers' thoughts and strategies for handling the dreaded block. And, of course, articles abound across the web offering tips and techniques for overcoming the block.
Bringing it closer to home, I thought it'd be nice to discuss strategies we've tried—those that failed as well as those that worked. Or even those which work at times but not always.
One of the things I've noticed when I'm blocked is that if I completely clear my mind, the words come. Unfortunately, that usually happens within ten minutes of giving up and going to bed. The 'puter's off and by the time I run to the office and boot it back up the breakthrough is gone forever. Once I suffered through this a few times I trained myself to make sure I had a pen and paper AND a small hand-held recorder on my nightstand. The reason for both is how my mind (particularly my memory) works: having the pen and paper is super for getting down an idea on a direction to take when I'm blocked because I don't know what to write next whether it's an action within a scene or a scene itself. The recorder works better for recording words and phrases I've been trying to capture. The recorder I have is a tiny 1.5" X 3.5" Olympus that I've had for absolute donkey's years and it's super handy for sticking in my jeans pocket when I'm out and about.
Do you have tips to help your poor, suffering friends here?
Bringing it closer to home, I thought it'd be nice to discuss strategies we've tried—those that failed as well as those that worked. Or even those which work at times but not always.
One of the things I've noticed when I'm blocked is that if I completely clear my mind, the words come. Unfortunately, that usually happens within ten minutes of giving up and going to bed. The 'puter's off and by the time I run to the office and boot it back up the breakthrough is gone forever. Once I suffered through this a few times I trained myself to make sure I had a pen and paper AND a small hand-held recorder on my nightstand. The reason for both is how my mind (particularly my memory) works: having the pen and paper is super for getting down an idea on a direction to take when I'm blocked because I don't know what to write next whether it's an action within a scene or a scene itself. The recorder works better for recording words and phrases I've been trying to capture. The recorder I have is a tiny 1.5" X 3.5" Olympus that I've had for absolute donkey's years and it's super handy for sticking in my jeans pocket when I'm out and about.
Do you have tips to help your poor, suffering friends here?