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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

why I don't get writer's block anymore


I know, you're thinking, excuse me? How is that possible? Everyone gets writer's block, right? Well, let me tell you a little secret. I figured it out. I solved the puzzle. I know exactly what to do when I come to a grinding halt and it's actually pretty simple.

I go back in time.

Now, in real life, we can't do this because we live our lives in linear fashion. But in fiction, we have the ability to go back, or forward as we like. And when it comes to the proverbial writer's block, going back has consistently proved to be the answer for me. Mind you, it's taken me quite some time to figure this out but in every instance I've found that backing up in my story and taking an alternate path invariably proves to be the answer. Sometimes I only have to go back a short ways, maybe delete a scene or a conversation. Sometimes I have to go back further and have my character(s) do something completely different than planned. And sometimes I have to delete an entire chapter and come at it from a completely different angle. But I'll tell you something; this always works. Every single time. So now when I hit that wall I think of it as a road block telling me I need to go back and find the proper detour to get back on the right road toward my destination. Because once I find it, it's smooth sailing once again.

How do you deal with writer's block?
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15 comments:

  1. Natalie Aguirre27/6/12 7:48 AM

    That's such great advice. I usually take a break and read for inspiration and think about what I'm stuck on. Or I might move on knowing I'll come back to the chapter that's stumping me.

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  2. Stina27/6/12 8:26 AM

    I don't usually get writer's block. Or at least I don't suffer from anything major. If I do, exercise (usually running) helps me overcome it. I end up brainstorming and come up with the answers. :)

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  3. Old Kitty27/6/12 8:38 AM

    I do tend to read back on what I've written if I can't seem to go forwards - and yes that does help! I've not really thought of it as a way of beating writer's block! But it does help, you are so right! Yay! Take care
    x

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  4. Unknown27/6/12 8:42 AM

    I don't really believe in writer's blog either. I think it's just a matter of falling in love with your story again. If you love your story, you want to talk about it. You idea is perfect, when you go back in time, you fall in love with a new path, you get excited and writer's block, it fades away.

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  5. Alicia Willette-Cook27/6/12 8:58 AM

    Yup. For me. I had to delete and entire WIP and start over. :) I'm using some of my developed characters...but that first one just Stopped. Wham. This one. Won't stop. :)

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  6. Unknown27/6/12 10:04 AM

    I write in fits in spurts, always have. I won't do anything BUT write for days, then it falls into a more normal routine for weeks or even months, then suddenly I can't write. It's a vicious cycle :-(

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  7. The Happy Whisk27/6/12 10:33 AM

    I never believed in the Writer's
    Block. Still don't believe in it.

    Glad you love your house, we're
    looking forward to ours.

    Off to make pizza :-)

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  8. E. Arroyo27/6/12 11:23 AM

    Great post. I don't get writer's block per se. I find the words when my butt is in the chair, but it's getting to the chair that becomes the problem. =) I have to give myself time off away from the chair without feeling guilty.

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  9. Lynn Proctor27/6/12 11:57 AM

    i just don't write if i don't feel inspired--but easy for me to say--since i am not trying to make a living at it--interesting ideas you have :)

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  10. Tara Tyler27/6/12 12:03 PM

    great way to beat a block!
    a blockage is something that needs to be fixed, a challenge and i love fixing things.
    and sometimes stepping back and letting it sit to fix later makes it easier, too

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  11. Susan Flett Swiderski27/6/12 2:53 PM

    Can't say that I've ever had "writer's block", because I refuse to think of those times as being anything more than a slow period. No, wait! Not a period... more like a semi-colon. Yeah, that's the ticket. Sometimes, it's reeeeeeal slow, mind you, but it keeps moving forward, one painful word at a time. (Actually, I think your solution is spot on.)

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  12. Alex J. Cavanaugh27/6/12 3:15 PM

    That's a good trick. I only get writer's block when I'm trying to come up with the story in the first place. Once I have an outline and I'm writing, it flows.

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  13. Liz A.27/6/12 8:01 PM

    I like this. Usually I just sit down and write about the problems I'm having and a solution presents itself.

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  14. DL Hammons28/6/12 9:29 PM

    Haven't had it yet. Did I say that too loud and just jinx myself? :)

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  15. Danette30/6/12 12:39 PM

    That's more or less how it works for me too although occasionally the story problem that is blocking me takes time to resolve and there's nothing to do but wait it out and figure out what it is I need to do (or undo). Cheers!

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