Writers Block

[Ask For More]

I've been stuck on the same story for about three months.

After having loads of good ideas bubbling around, and a decent introduction, I seem to have run out of steam completely. Suddenly I have no idea how to write it.

Any advice for getting out of this funk?

 

[takingchances42]

Whatever you do, don't spend your time on the boards... never get any writing done if you spend your time here... (and what I am doing here?)

Some prolific writers don't accept writer's block as being anything other than a crutch, an excuse for not writing. They make themselves sit down and write. Sit your butt down in front of the monitor. Don't sign on-line. Don't play solitaire. Set a kitchen timer for half an hour or an hour. And don't get up until the timer dings.

You may not write on that particular story. You may come up with something much better. You may not come up with anything worthwhile today. But if you make yourself do that every day, you may be surprised by how much writing you do get done when a month has gone by.

 

[cherrylips_au]

Some advice I read on writer's block.

It was suggested when this happens on a particular story that you want to finish, then start with a line of dialogue. It demands a response and soon the scene can take shape.

Having a rough idea of where your story is heading can be helpful too.

 

[hex_kitten]

When I'm stuck in that hell hole aptly named "writer's block," I usually put whatever I'm working on away for a week. I don't look at it, don't touch it, and try my hardest not to think about it. Then I go back and read from the beginning. It gives me a fresh perspective of the story and I usually end up with something better than I started with.

Best of luck,
-hex-

 

[millieteases]

I like all of these ideas. I've used many of them.

Sometimes I just start writing and try not to think. It all comes out as stream of consciousness babble that needs extensive editing. What I'm trying to do is get the synapses firing in the writing pattern.

I've also been known to just leave it to sit and stew for a while.

And some things just need to be abandoned. They are other people's characters on vacation in your brain. They'll go away eventually and your own characters will come back and demand you give them something to do.

 

[Ask For More]

Thanks for the tips guys

I've actually been to see a friend today who's also a writer, and after reading his stuff it's really insprired me to get going again. So hopefully I'll be able to churn out some crap pretty soon

 

[Guest]

Writer's Block

When I am reading posts, I'm not writing! I have to force myself away from the bulletin board in order to concentrate.

Sometimes an idea just grabs me - the other night I was in bed, couldn't sleep, and began writing a story in my head. After the third paragraph, I got up and spent an hour putting it to paper. (I still write on paper and transfer to computer - I think better with a pen) That inspiration doesn't happen that often, unfortunately.

I do have an unfinished story that I got stuck on - I finally just put it away for awhile and started a different story. I hope I'll have some decent ideas eventually and be able to finish it.

The best thing for me to fix my writer's block is to not think about it. My subconscious will stew about it while I'm doing other things, and if I'm stuck in a chapter or on a particular story I just leave it for a time. I skip ahead and start on a different scene, then back up to where I stopped.

Maybe some of this will help? Best wishes - writing is damn hard work.

 

[Ulyssa]

Cherrylips has an excellent point

It was suggested when this happens on a particular story that you want to finish, then start with a line of dialogue. It demands a response and soon the scene can take shape.

One of the proven ways to make this work is to imagine a dialogue between two characters who you have not spoken to each other in your story. Of course, if there are only two characters, you may need to invent a third or "confidante." character--particularly a person of the opposite sex. The heroine's gay friend from work or the hero's gal pal from the office sort of thing.

Another possibility is to have the two people who dislike each other the most hash it out. At least you'll know if there's somewhere to go with your story.