《How to Write Stories People Will Love》16. Kick Writer's Block
Advertisement
I've had my share of writer's block like everyone else on the planet. It is NO FUN. I wish I could say there was a fool-proof method to get rid of it, but different things work for different people. All I can do is share my own strategies for dealing with the bane of all writers.
NOTE: If you follow my blog (you'd be, like, one of two people, haha) I basically copied this entry from there, because I wrote it up there first. I thought it might be helpful for all you writers out there.
1. Sometimes what I'm stuck on is simply, "What happens next?" Walking literally gets your juices flowing, and the brain gets more oxygen, and all that other groovy scientific stuff. I often figure out my answer by the time I get back from the walk.
2. When no answer is forthcoming, I walk away from it for the day. Just go about my daily routine and not worry about it. One thing I say a lot is, "I'll find it when I'm looking for something else." I'll look all over the house for that one pot lid, but can't find it. Then later when I'm searching for the square baking dish, that lid will appear, wedged between pans. This can apply to writing as well. Sometimes we find inspiration when we least expect it. The more you push for inspiration, the harder it will be to come by. Allow it to breathe.
3. After a day or two, if I still haven't gotten inspired, I'll set my project aside and find a different one to work on. You can't force creativity, but switching gears will often jar it loose. I'm usually able to keep moving forward by writing something else.
4. . Switching up projects is usually very effective at keeping things fresh, but once in a while I can't seem to get the words out at all. I feel stuck, uninspired, or just plain tired. When this happens, it's usually a clear sign that I need to take a break from writing altogether. The length of this hiatus will of course depend on when your creativity comes back to you. Could be a day, two days, or a week. Don't let it go for longer than a month though, because it'll be even harder to get back into it.
Advertisement
5. . An important part of keeping creativity loose and agile is to make sure you have fun. If you feel stressed, go do something fun, even if it's just for twenty minutes. I like video games.
Finally, if all else fails you, check out this video I recently encountered about dealing with writer's block. It seems like pretty good advice...
Advertisement
- In Serial40 Chapters
Monstrous (First Draft)
An old monster awakens in a new world, and he is very hungry. I just wanted to say this is pretty much my first continuous story and I'm still experimenting and figuring things out.
8 156 - In Serial9 Chapters
The Days of Path Dust
In a dark age of the distant future, a curious young monk defies a power-hungry minister by exploring forbidden realms in an effort to solve the mystery of his sister's disappearance.
8 217 - In Serial10 Chapters
The Last to Fall
Two years ago, the end of the world came, and was turned aside by black and bitter sacrifice, Brandon Argovieso giving of himself in order to achieve victory. Only the barest traces of magic remain, a scant few survivors that know of the old, arcane ways, withering away as the world turns. But something is coming – nightmares of fire and ash haunt his sleep, the world burning away to an empty ruin. An investigation into a mysterious cult leads to the discovery of an ancient secret, something that shouldn’t exist. With the aid of the few allies he has remaining, he must seek the cause of this doom, and attempt to protect the world against a new and terrifying threat.
8 170 - In Serial23 Chapters
An Account of Humanity
It has been 50 years since humanity has made its mark on the galaxy. Before that, humans were a simple species, living in isolation in their own little part of the galaxy. But times have changed, and so have the views of the humans that have now spread across the stars. Some see them as challengers of their galactic dominion, others look at them with eyes of envy and reluctant gratitude, and others find them merely interesting. Regardless of their opinions, the one thing that they can all agree on is that they are here to stay. Perhaps, by chronicling the effect these humans have had upon the galaxy can they figure out the mysteries of humanity themselves. These are their accounts.
8 215 - In Serial159 Chapters
Divine Mortality
Divine Mortality is about the experiences of Players stepping into a new massively online world. A video game which was crafted with near-future technical advances, a game that provides seamless virtual reality headset and control support, a game which was hidden until it's surprise hit release shocking the world of boring and mundane MMORPGs played today, and a game that has been described as a miracle creation. Something which is difficult to create in Today's REAL WORLD, yet, it's not impossible with the right conditions and intentions. I try to implement concepts of my dream MMORPG which I believe will work and fulfill a Player's fun, immersion, creativity, and social world. The story in season 1 follows the first person perspective of an enthusiast of the game, Amulet Pond. Season 2 follows a new individual called Sayooshi, written in a more third person perspective (attempted light novel). (Recommended!) Season 1 covers the rough chapters 1-52, Season 2 (chapters 53+) should be better in quality. You can start reading from 53.
8 166 - In Serial54 Chapters
Perfect Storm
🚨Warning this book is VERY TOXIC 🚨2ND BOOK TO WHAT IS LOVE ?Love is never enough.
8 111

