On YouTube: 6 ways to deal with writer’s block – How to overcome writer’s block
Cure for writer’s block: Ignore it: you never stop speaking; why stop writing? – Quentin Crisp
I love this quote. It’s so simple, yet complex. I am often amused by my earlier days of fiction writing. I was in my early twenties and I thought writing a book would be easy. I thought all I had to do was sit to a computer and the words would come. Instead…the story would be rolling right along and then bam!
I’d hit a brick wall.
The character would walk into a bedroom and I wouldn’t be able to get them out. I am cracking up as I type this! The hilarity of it all. And then I’d be staring at it. Writer’s block disguised as white space. I’m sure every writer has experienced writer’s block to some degree. You sit at the computer, have every intention on writing and then you draw a blank.
Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Well here’s six tips for overcoming writer’s block.
How To Overcome Writer’s Block
6. If you’re absolutely unable to write, go back and edit. Reread what you’ve already written. Change words that may not work. Elaborate on ideas. In doing so, you may trigger new ideas.
5. Make sure you’re not distracted. If your iPhone is buzzing, Tweetdeck is chirping, the television is on and your kids are calling for you, it will be difficult to concentrate. Try turning everything off and going to a quiet place.
4. Know your characters and know your plot. Sometimes writer’s block can be caused by not knowing your characters or your plot prior to beginning your manuscript. Take time to get to know your characters and give thought to the purpose of your story. This doesn’t mean that you have to have your entire story mapped out, but you do need a general idea of what you are trying to achieve with your story and your characters. If you’re writing with no direction, writer’s block is likely to happen.
3. Go where the inspiration is. My novel The Buzz was largely based around the entertainment industry. So, I would visit entertainment websites and would sometimes go to nightclubs to draw inspiration for my book. Based on your story, where can you go to draw a little inspiration? Also, hang around people with personality traits similar to your characters. Look as your time with them as time with your character.
2. Keep a notebook of ideas. As you’re going about your day and thinking of ways to advance your story, write your ideas down. On a day when you have writer’s block, those ideas will definitely come in handy. It may mean the difference between staring at white space and writing.
1. Let it go. If you are not on a deadline, then just walk away and come back when you have a little inspiration.
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How do you deal with writer’s block? Please share your ideas in the comment section below.
NEXT: Finding Your Writing Inspiration
