unblocking a story

[HandsInTheDark]

Recently I had the experience of adding part of a chapter, and then getting blocked. I couldn't figure out what to do next with it. I'd read it all straight through, hit the end and stare at it, lost. Usually I can't keep up with the ideas, but here... nothing.

Eventually I realised that the last part I'd added just didn't work. It was long and had some humor and did character development, all favorite things, but the way I felt after I finished reading it just killed any urge to continue.

I did what I had to and deleted it. Then ideas started to flow again.

Anyone else had the "this part must die for the good of the overall story" experience?

 

[lovecraft68]

Several times, but I never delete the unwanted part, I save everything, never know when you can plug it in somewhere else.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I operate a writing chop shop. I keep the stuff I wont part with but most of it is re-used.

 

[Carnal_Flower]

YES.

I don't often encounter "blocks," but when I do, it is almost always because something has gone off track. I then have to backtrack in the story to the last known successful point. Yes, everything was going just fine then, what happened? You took it in the wrong direction. May be great writing, great ideas, but it's not in the right place.

Alongside the story I will have another file of removed/deleted segments. Sometimes they are brought back in, usually not. Sometimes you have to delete a lot and it sucks.

It's one thing to say "Ok, give it a rest, come back to it." But when it has ground to definite halt, you've gone wrong somewhere. At least that is what I find.

Recently I had the experience of adding part of a chapter, and then getting blocked. I couldn't figure out what to do next with it. I'd read it all straight through, hit the end and stare at it, lost. Usually I can't keep up with the ideas, but here... nothing.

Eventually I realised that the last part I'd added just didn't work. It was long and had some humor and did character development, all favorite things, but the way I felt after I finished reading it just killed any urge to continue.

I did what I had to and deleted it. Then ideas started to flow again.

Anyone else had the "this part must die for the good of the overall story" experience?

 

[lovecraft68]

YES.

I don't often encounter "blocks," but when I do, it is almost always because something has gone off track. I then have to backtrack in the story to the last known successful point. Yes, everything was going just fine then, what happened? You took it in the wrong direction. May be great writing, great ideas, but it's not in the right place.

Alongside the story I will have another file of removed/deleted segments. Sometimes they are brought back in, usually not. Sometimes you have to delete a lot and it sucks.

It's one thing to say "Ok, give it a rest, come back to it." But when it has ground to definite halt, you've gone wrong somewhere. At least that is what I find.

I call my folder "remnants"

 

[Carnal_Flower]

Lately everything I've been writing is going in that folder.

I call my folder "remnants"

 

[SamScribble]

I tend to write first drafts very lean - and then add and tweak until the the pudding is ready. A current short short story started out at about 600 words. Now it's just over 1200 words and almost finished.

On the odd occasion that I've tried the 'put-everything-in-and trim-it-later' method, I've usually ended up with a scrap file as big as the story - and, often, not a very good story.

 

[sr71plt]

I tend to write first drafts very lean - and then add and tweak until the the pudding is ready. A current short short story started out at about 600 words. Now it's just over 1200 words and almost finished.
(

I generally do the same. I always add to the wordage in the review, adding detail here and there that I skipped over to get a complete draft quickly.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I posted this suggestion before.

When I run outta hiway onto the weeds I leave the story alone and wait for the solution to come. Patience is your friend and the soul of creativity.