Ye olde writer's block

[flawed_ethics]

Ok...

I agreed for someone here on Lit to write a story for them, kinda a "It'd be nice if you could do it" type story. Started writing it, was coming along nicely, but then I hit a lull. I'm about half-way through and I can't seem to get back into writing it. That was two weeks ago! I want to finish it badly (I had haphazzardly mentioned to them that I aimed to have it done last week: true, but unfortuantely unmet), but can't get over this hump!

Is it better to just plunge in, knowing you'll spew out hurried garbage just to finish the story, only to go back later and add meat to the skeleton you've assembled, or just to politely trash the project? Or is there an option I'm missing? I feel kinda guilty for leaving this project in limbo for two weeks now... I originally wanted to pen it over a month ago.

(Wow, time disappears when you work overtime!)

And if you're reading this bearlee, sorry!

Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[TheWriter]

I don't know if this will help, but try re-reading what is there until you are so familiar with the characters and events that it just flows on logically. It usually helps me get back into a story.

 

[Marxist]

Your biggest problem is "how does it end?" Once you figure this out, the story will write itself. If you already know then get to work (or maybe it's not a good ending?).

 

[Couture]

Usually, I switch over and write something else. Then, when I come back to the story I was blocked on the characters will begin to talk again.

If that doesn't work, I've just had to help them along a bit and come back and flesh it out later.

 

[enslaved lioness]

get away from the computer. but the story on hold and email the person you promised it to. i am sure he will understand. you might even send it to a friend and have them read what you have for later input.

next go for a walk and do not think about the story. think about what is around you or even some of your other stories. read stories here in Lit but not with the intent of finding anything. if you look for it many times you miss it.

then, refreshed, sit down and reread the story but not as the writer. instead look at it as if you were reading someone else's story and hopefully by the time you are finished reading you will have an idea about how it should proceed. if you are still stuck than discuss it with the friend who you sent it to. or discuss it even if you are not stuck. sometimes an outside view does wonders in fleshing out a story.

i know when i think too much on a story i come to a brick wall and cant get past it. it takes getting my mind off of it to clear a path to the ending.

 

[Rrrosyn]

Some stories just die!

A good example is the story I was writing during my breakup. I think it is dead. All attempt of revitalization have failed. I've written three other stories! But, that one is probably never going to breathe again.

Happens in poetry for me, also. If the phone rings during the creation of a poem and distracts me long enough from my work. It dies. Creative flow choked to death by modern society.

Yes, I still write with a quill and crush my own ink! *giggle* Okay, well maybe pen and paper. Certainly not this cold machine.

You're not alone. Sometimes you can retool the story into a direction where it will continue to flow easily. Like the turning of a river without creating a solid dam.

Imagine. Create. Write. Just be sure you love every minute of it, even the challenges.