Did the writer's block hit you in your head? Are you staring at a blank screen? Are you throwing things around, screaming at the top of your lungs, and haven't written a thing?
Yeah, then I'm diagnosing you with writer's block. It happens to everyone. It happens to the best of us.
I'm telling you, it's not your fault. Blame it on your story.
Here are 5 of the most common writer's blocks and how to overcome them.
Writer's block happens to even the best and most experienced writers. Knowing how to overcome these challenges when they arrive is the key. Let's look at five of the most common forms of Writer's Block, then I'll write you a prescription on how to get well soon.
The 5 Most Common Types of Writer's Block:
1. The Blank Screen/Paper
2. The Characters
3. The Plot
4. The Tangent
5. The Rewrite
2. The Characters
3. The Plot
4. The Tangent
5. The Rewrite
1. The Blank Screen/Paper
Symptoms:
This is when you sit down to write the next great novel, and suddenly there's just nothing to say, nothing comes to mind. Maybe, you're just beginning to write or maybe you're 30, 100, 200 pages in. If it's the latter, chances are you really are suffering from one of the other forms of Writer's Block and may want to look at that and see if those symptoms are more of the problem.
Why this is not your fault?
This is totally the screen or the paper's fault. You had the idea, but one look at that screen or paper, and it was woosh...gone...vanished. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
Step away from that particular Screen or piece of Paper. Think about your favorite stories. Maybe it's Harry Potter or A Tale of Two Cities or something else. Whatever it is, revisit what you love about those stories. Write it down. Make a Pros and Cons list. Then, think of a story you hate. I'm not going to bash any books here, but we all have something we don't like. Think about what you don't like about that book. Make a Pros and Cons list. Then, look at your lists. Now, you know what you want to have in your book and what you don't want to have. Take your fave book or your worst and rewrite a scene. Take some of the cons from either book and rewrite a scene or two or three making your cons become pros in your eyes. You didn't like the way a book ended. Rewrite it. Change it.
What is this doing?
It's getting you writing. It's sparking ideas. Maybe by rewriting some of your favorite or worst books will open your ideas for your own. Fifty Shades of Gray was created in a similar manner. The idea here is not to copy a story. That's not yours. The idea is to be inspired to write your own story. Vampires are nothing new. There are a thousand vampire stories involving them drinking blood and good vampires only feeding off of animals or donors, and only coming out at night. A vampire that sparkles in the sunshine and doesn't sleep. That's new. That's Stephanie Meyer's version. Don't copy someone else, but feel free to take a concept and make it your own.
When all else fails....
Read. Watch TV or a movie. Sometimes I get great ideas by wishing something ended different or wanting the character to do something differently.
2. The Characters
Symptoms:
This could be a few things. Your character is just so boring. They aren't doing anything. They can only brush their hair and watch TV a few times before readers are like get off your butt and fall down a flight of stairs already. Hey! That would be something. Or perhaps you have one idea, but your character just refuses to do it because it wouldn't be true to who they are. Or your characters seem to be shifting or changing into something you didn't expect.
Why this is not your fault?
This is totally your character's fault. They can be so boring, stubborn, or demanding. They have a way of taking charge or falling flat when they come to life in your head. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
Stop writing for a second and let's analyze your characters. But first, if your character is boring or not doing anything, this may be a plot problem(Read 3. The Plot symptoms) or this particular character is not really your protagonist (More on this in a bit).
Let's look at the Stubborn character. When the character just refuses to do what you want them to do or go down a path you want them to take, ask the character why. Maybe they won't kiss the hot guy because they are shy or doesn't want to come off as easy. If it's something like that, then you need to either refuse the kiss or start to show how this character is developing/changing into becoming more into the girl that will be brash and kiss him--will throw all thoughts of how this kiss may come across and take a chance. Or maybe that hot guy is really not your character's type, and you have to give them more similarities. If you can't do either, then don't rush your character into the situation, give them time to come about it on their terms. They have to stay true to who they are, even when they are changing. You created them after all. Hit yourself on the head on that one for making them so darn stubborn. hehe
Sometimes, with a stubborn character that isn't doing anything and falling flat, it could be that it isn't your protagonist. Maybe their story just isn't as exciting. If this is the case, try writing a scene or two from another character's perspective or all of your other character's perspective. You may find the story is better from a different viewpoint. Go with what feels right.
Now, for the Demanding Character. This is actually my favorite type. They keep me on my toes. Always shifting my plots and taking me places I didn't know about. But sometimes, this happens so fast that it stops you from writing. Here's what to do. Stop. Look at your outline if you have one or write a little about where this new character is going, how they are changing, and what you want them to do. Change the path before your character can. Then you can get in your character's face and be like, "Ha! I knew that's where you were going. Booyah!" Crisis averted.
What is this doing?
This is funny. I tweeted about this earlier. Your characters have a way of taking hold of your brain and taking hostage of everything inside it. It's a thin line to balance on to keep things progressing at a pace that is both right for you and your characters. Enjoy their ride, their story. Don't rush them, and don't let them rush you. You have to make sure you tell the story completely and, at the same time, keep it interesting the whole way.
When all else fails....
with your characters, wave a magic wand and put them under a spell to make them do what you want. At least, that works in my genre. hehe Seriously though, you should do a Character Sketch (Get one at the end of this post.)
3. The Plot
Symptoms:
This also could be a few things. You have no idea where your story is going at this point. Or you can see the beginning and not the middle or the end or vice versa on any of those. Or there is no place to take your story further.
Why this is not your fault?
This is your story's fault. You've given life to it, and goes and throws itself into the inferno. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
So, you have no idea where your story is going. This even happens to plotters sometimes. It usually means you've gone off track (You may want to read 4. Tangent, also.). Or, you have a hole in your story. Either way, plotting can help here. You don't have to do a formal outline, although this is really helping me with my JuNoWriMo WIP. But you have to analyze your story. Ask yourself, "Where is my story coming from? Where is it going? How does it get there?" That's usually enough. You'll realize that you are going somewhere completely new, which is totally okay, and your story changed. You'll be back to writing in no time.
When you can only see one part of your story, this is a little more tricky, especially if that's the beginning. I sometimes get great ideas for the beginning of the story, then it's, doh, nothing from there. That's when I find a plot generator helpful. I have an app for that. What's not good about doing this? It's very generic plots. However, most stories have generic plots underneath the surface. Girl meets boy. Girl obsesses over boy. Boy breaks girl's heart. Girl almost falls for another boy. Girl chooses 1st boy. Boy and girl live happily ever after. This is a sub-plot of the entire Twilight series if you think about it. Generic plots can help you build something from it, adding your own twist to the story. I think of Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter on this one. Yours doesn't have to be so straightforward of a twist on an old plot, but it certainly can be. Seth Grahame-Smith is a best-selling author twisting well-known stories. It works for him.
If it's the middle or the end that you know what will happen, write those first. Then, think about how to introduce your characters to the reader and what they were doing before the whole thing went down. Basically, create questions that you have already written the answers to. These questions are how to write your beginning. Give a reason for your readers to ask these same questions. If you need an end, from your middle, ask how will the story turn out, each development in the middle needs to be resolved. How will it work out? This is your ending.
What is this doing?
Every story has to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You have to introduce your story, give it some struggles, and overcome those struggles either good or bad. Sometimes, we trip ourselves on things that happen. Always asking questions and looking at other plots can keep us writing.
When all else fails....
Let me be clear about this: No Story Is Unsalvageable. I live by this. Sometimes, a story needs to be paused and put away for another day. Every story can be rewritten and done better, even published ones. The more you write, the more experience you gain, and the better you become. Sometimes you start writing a story that you're just not ready for. Don't be afraid to put it away and come back to it, when a future, more-experienced you will know what to do with it. Please, don't ever trash a story. And, if you do, don't tell me. I'll whip you. hehe
Lots of <3,This also could be a few things. You have no idea where your story is going at this point. Or you can see the beginning and not the middle or the end or vice versa on any of those. Or there is no place to take your story further.
Why this is not your fault?
This is your story's fault. You've given life to it, and goes and throws itself into the inferno. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
So, you have no idea where your story is going. This even happens to plotters sometimes. It usually means you've gone off track (You may want to read 4. Tangent, also.). Or, you have a hole in your story. Either way, plotting can help here. You don't have to do a formal outline, although this is really helping me with my JuNoWriMo WIP. But you have to analyze your story. Ask yourself, "Where is my story coming from? Where is it going? How does it get there?" That's usually enough. You'll realize that you are going somewhere completely new, which is totally okay, and your story changed. You'll be back to writing in no time.
When you can only see one part of your story, this is a little more tricky, especially if that's the beginning. I sometimes get great ideas for the beginning of the story, then it's, doh, nothing from there. That's when I find a plot generator helpful. I have an app for that. What's not good about doing this? It's very generic plots. However, most stories have generic plots underneath the surface. Girl meets boy. Girl obsesses over boy. Boy breaks girl's heart. Girl almost falls for another boy. Girl chooses 1st boy. Boy and girl live happily ever after. This is a sub-plot of the entire Twilight series if you think about it. Generic plots can help you build something from it, adding your own twist to the story. I think of Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter on this one. Yours doesn't have to be so straightforward of a twist on an old plot, but it certainly can be. Seth Grahame-Smith is a best-selling author twisting well-known stories. It works for him.
If it's the middle or the end that you know what will happen, write those first. Then, think about how to introduce your characters to the reader and what they were doing before the whole thing went down. Basically, create questions that you have already written the answers to. These questions are how to write your beginning. Give a reason for your readers to ask these same questions. If you need an end, from your middle, ask how will the story turn out, each development in the middle needs to be resolved. How will it work out? This is your ending.
What is this doing?
Every story has to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You have to introduce your story, give it some struggles, and overcome those struggles either good or bad. Sometimes, we trip ourselves on things that happen. Always asking questions and looking at other plots can keep us writing.
When all else fails....
Let me be clear about this: No Story Is Unsalvageable. I live by this. Sometimes, a story needs to be paused and put away for another day. Every story can be rewritten and done better, even published ones. The more you write, the more experience you gain, and the better you become. Sometimes you start writing a story that you're just not ready for. Don't be afraid to put it away and come back to it, when a future, more-experienced you will know what to do with it. Please, don't ever trash a story. And, if you do, don't tell me. I'll whip you. hehe
4. The Tangent
Symptoms:
This is when you start writing and next thing you know you're talking about your character's dinner in such detail you can almost taste it, but it doesn't have anything to do with your story. This is also when your characters are supposed to be going down the yellow brick road, but one of them jumps onto the asphalt one (This could also be 3. The Plot, so be sure to read that one.). It's okay to scream, "You, idiot! Get back on the darn road." (Feel free to insert your own colorful language here.) It makes you stop, and you wonder where do I go from here.
Why this is not your fault?
Sometimes things need to be said. Your characters want you to know something in particular or your story has to go down a different road. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
Like I just said, sometimes things need to be said. Keep saying it. Let it out. Let yourself go down that unknown road, or let your character rant about the most mundane thing possible. Finish writing it. You may need to take a breather. Get some sleep. Drink a cup of coffee or wine. Play with your dog/cat. Then, if this isn't a plot problem (Make sure it isn't or you'll have problems again.), jump back to your story. Put them back on track. It may be jarring or abrupt. That's okay. Don't trash it. Fix it later. Not Now. I said L-A-T-E-R. Just put them where they need to be or doing what they should be doing. Continue on.
What is this doing?
It's getting your story out. You can fix it or take it out in the rewrite. It's helping you understand backstory and details about your character/story. This is a necessary part of the journey. You should understand all of these things. Kudos to you for realizing there's a problem.
When all else fails....
Keep going with the tangent. It may reveal a different story entirely and you can work out the plot problems, or tell you that you aren't ready to write this story. Either way, listen to your inner guide.
This is when you start writing and next thing you know you're talking about your character's dinner in such detail you can almost taste it, but it doesn't have anything to do with your story. This is also when your characters are supposed to be going down the yellow brick road, but one of them jumps onto the asphalt one (This could also be 3. The Plot, so be sure to read that one.). It's okay to scream, "You, idiot! Get back on the darn road." (Feel free to insert your own colorful language here.) It makes you stop, and you wonder where do I go from here.
Why this is not your fault?
Sometimes things need to be said. Your characters want you to know something in particular or your story has to go down a different road. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
Like I just said, sometimes things need to be said. Keep saying it. Let it out. Let yourself go down that unknown road, or let your character rant about the most mundane thing possible. Finish writing it. You may need to take a breather. Get some sleep. Drink a cup of coffee or wine. Play with your dog/cat. Then, if this isn't a plot problem (Make sure it isn't or you'll have problems again.), jump back to your story. Put them back on track. It may be jarring or abrupt. That's okay. Don't trash it. Fix it later. Not Now. I said L-A-T-E-R. Just put them where they need to be or doing what they should be doing. Continue on.
What is this doing?
It's getting your story out. You can fix it or take it out in the rewrite. It's helping you understand backstory and details about your character/story. This is a necessary part of the journey. You should understand all of these things. Kudos to you for realizing there's a problem.
When all else fails....
Keep going with the tangent. It may reveal a different story entirely and you can work out the plot problems, or tell you that you aren't ready to write this story. Either way, listen to your inner guide.
5. The Rewrite
Symptoms:
This has two completely different routes. The first one you'll come across is that inner critic. Your inner critic will cause you to stop your train of thought and rewrite what you just wrote. The other route is when you are actually rewriting, and you know something is wrong, but not how to fix it.
Why this is not your fault?
The first case is your inner critic's fault. That inner critic is opinionated and demanding and has no place in the first draft. Not Your Fault.
The other case is again your inner critic's fault because they aren't helping you. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
During the first draft, you must do your best to quell that inner critic. He/She is evil. His/Her sole purpose is to put a damper on your inner muse, to laugh at your inner muse, and tell the inner muse exactly what your muse is doing wrong. During a first draft, you don't need this. Don't listen to it. It's difficult, but when you feel the inner critic fighting to take over. Stop. And keep writing. Keep writing. If you can't resist and fall victim to the inner critic, fix just one thing and go back to writing. Doing too much will hush your muse, and the inner critic will win. Don't let the inner critic rule at this phase. Push through, and you'll have a first draft before you know it.
Now, in the actual rewrite of the first draft, let your inner critic rule. At times, your inner critic knows something is wrong with your manuscript, but not how to fix it, causing writer's block. In this case, open up a blank document. Shush your inner critic. Let your muse come out to play. Start fresh. Rewrite the scene from scratch. This may fix your problem. If you can't rewrite the scene, write something completely off topic. It'll bring out that inner muse, who may then be able to look over that scene and fix what's wrong.
What is this doing?
This might be the hardest for people to overcome. The need to fix mistakes or point out what's wrong in what you've written can be powerful. I truly believe that sometimes this inner critic is so strong that it causes novels to go unfinished. You can't let that happen. Sometimes, you have to push through the need to fix it. In the other case, you may be too entwined with the scene to fix it and need to step back in order to fix it. Tackle it from another angle.
When all else fails....
If this is your first draft, every time you feel the need to rewrite, delete, or edit, spray yourself with a mister,
or shock therapy would work, too. Whatever suits you. Do something to stop the inner critic from emerging.
If this is a later draft, let someone else look at your work. A beta reader, friend, or Twitterverse may be the key to right what's wrong with the trouble area.
Writer's block is a serious issue. Please proceed with caution. If the condition does not clear up in a week, please get a second opinion. hehe Hope this helps and leave a comment if you have other prescriptions for the awful Writer's Block. I'd love to hear your methods of tackling this epidemic.
This has two completely different routes. The first one you'll come across is that inner critic. Your inner critic will cause you to stop your train of thought and rewrite what you just wrote. The other route is when you are actually rewriting, and you know something is wrong, but not how to fix it.
Why this is not your fault?
The first case is your inner critic's fault. That inner critic is opinionated and demanding and has no place in the first draft. Not Your Fault.
The other case is again your inner critic's fault because they aren't helping you. Not Your Fault.
Prescription:
During the first draft, you must do your best to quell that inner critic. He/She is evil. His/Her sole purpose is to put a damper on your inner muse, to laugh at your inner muse, and tell the inner muse exactly what your muse is doing wrong. During a first draft, you don't need this. Don't listen to it. It's difficult, but when you feel the inner critic fighting to take over. Stop. And keep writing. Keep writing. If you can't resist and fall victim to the inner critic, fix just one thing and go back to writing. Doing too much will hush your muse, and the inner critic will win. Don't let the inner critic rule at this phase. Push through, and you'll have a first draft before you know it.Now, in the actual rewrite of the first draft, let your inner critic rule. At times, your inner critic knows something is wrong with your manuscript, but not how to fix it, causing writer's block. In this case, open up a blank document. Shush your inner critic. Let your muse come out to play. Start fresh. Rewrite the scene from scratch. This may fix your problem. If you can't rewrite the scene, write something completely off topic. It'll bring out that inner muse, who may then be able to look over that scene and fix what's wrong.
What is this doing?
This might be the hardest for people to overcome. The need to fix mistakes or point out what's wrong in what you've written can be powerful. I truly believe that sometimes this inner critic is so strong that it causes novels to go unfinished. You can't let that happen. Sometimes, you have to push through the need to fix it. In the other case, you may be too entwined with the scene to fix it and need to step back in order to fix it. Tackle it from another angle.
When all else fails....
If this is your first draft, every time you feel the need to rewrite, delete, or edit, spray yourself with a mister,
or shock therapy would work, too. Whatever suits you. Do something to stop the inner critic from emerging.
If this is a later draft, let someone else look at your work. A beta reader, friend, or Twitterverse may be the key to right what's wrong with the trouble area.
Writer's block is a serious issue. Please proceed with caution. If the condition does not clear up in a week, please get a second opinion. hehe Hope this helps and leave a comment if you have other prescriptions for the awful Writer's Block. I'd love to hear your methods of tackling this epidemic.
JuNoWriMo Week #2 update: I have been kicking butt with JuNoWriMo, surprising myself every step of the way. I've had to completely rewrite my goals because I was exceeding my original ones with flying colors. I'm not sure if this will hold steady, but I'm off to a great start. My total as of yesterday was 31,074 on Day 10. My goal now is to reach 50k by next Wednesday. And to actually finish the entire book by the end of the month. I'm having a blast being a part of the JuNoWriMo crew and have met great writers during this journey.
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