I am part of a free website that helps writer's overcome writer's block. Do you have any tips to share?

Question

By submitting your answer you agree to allow the use of your answer and your user name on my site. I may also create a link to this question. Thanks for your time and consideration. - oddy erdy

Confidentiality for our viewers is a top priority for us. We will provide answers email or clues for you to view our site prior to any publishing of your material. Please check this space for details by weeks end.

Answer 1

Here are some of my favorite tips:

If you can't think of the first sentence, start with the second sentence.

Don't waste time trying to find the precise words in early drafts. Use what I call "working words" -- which I usually put in brackets when word processing, or underline with a wavy line when writing by hand -- then revisit those words later and use a real thesaurus to choose the best word.

If you find yourself stuck in a sentence with no idea how to get out of it, go back to the end of the last phrase, and put a period there. Chances are good that the sentence is unmanageable because it is just too complex. Choose to be concise whenever possible.

Watch for patterns you've developed and try to break them. Mix it up. Force yourself to write differently. Practice by trying to write in the style of a writer you admire. See if you can pull it off. Whenever I was struggling with what approach to take, I would copy my father's style. Often, that was just what I needed.

If your story is complex, consider writing backward. In other words, picture your story like an ascent up a mountain. The completed story is the climber at the top of the mountain. Now, ask yourself what steps that climber took to get there. Outline your story so that the events get your reader to the top of the mountain.

Spend time out in the real world, just listening to how people really talk. I used to struggle writing dialog. Now I know I don't have to; good dialog is all around me. Always carry a notebook and write any and everything in it. You never know what you will be able to use.

Limit your use of adjectives. Like cologne, less is more when it comes to adjectives. Otherwise, the thing starts to smell.

Find a good editor and develop a thick skin. Do not become emotionally attached to what you write: be willing to cut whatever doesn't work and re-write that which can be improved. Never submit anything without running it past the eyes of an editor. ( I am available.)

Answer 2

First... do something you've never done before, and mostly, I recommend cheap travel. Even the New York Ferry system holds something different for the people that never make it a routine in their life. For some older authors, this may be a stretch but the point is to go out and try something new and observe yourself in the experience. It should be relaxing and you let someone else have control of the drive.

Second, don't put yourself in a position to get stuck! If you are working on a story and you have hundreds of ideas floating around in your head but it's close to three in the morning, stop in mid sentence. If you move down (enter key, add lines at the end) a couple rows and type rough notes to get yourself going again, you'll find you'll never get stuck.

Answer 3

When the Thoughts jam in my brain I usually start writing what ever comes to mind whether it is on the topic or not and that usually frees up my brain. Most of my great ideas come from dreams or random thoughts from the day. My current novel I am writing came from a thought I had while getting my nails done, I've been developing the story for a couple of years. I rework things that don't flow with the story later on. Just writing anything helps me get back on track.

Answer 4

I don't have any free tips. I am working on a book, at least that's what I hope the final product will turn out to be, but I have hit a brick wall. I think the major problem with me is that my creativity has long since been pigeon-holed. I feel boxed in and confident that if I'm ever able to "break out" the Big Bang will pale in comparison, lol. I wish you the best of success. If there's a link, I hope to find it.

Edit: Ms. G., that sounds like great advice, and I will try it myself. Good answer!

Answer 5

Write your notes using "stream-of-conciousness-writing." This is where you let your mind wander while writing down your wandering thoughts. When you're finished, snap back to reality and read what you've written during your SOC session. You may be surprised at some of the ideas you have generated by letting your brain do the work for you!

Answer 6

Avoid writing and editing at the same time. Shut down your left brain and let your right brain rule your thoughts. Focus on quantity, not quality. To assist, try typing on the computer with the monitor turned off.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 7

i dont think writers block happens after youve allready started on a story but if some one needs help getting started they could just keep a dream diary and start stealing ideas from it