What to do when you've got writer's block?

Question

What to do when you've got writer's block?

Answer 1

I wrote a whole book about issues like this. (Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer) But I won't suggest that you read the book. Instead, I'll give you the quick answer.

Atomize.

Break things down into smaller units. The things to break down are (1) writing time, (2) amount you are trying to write and (3) the size of your ambition (for now).

Set a kitchen timer for fifteen minutes and write for that long. If fifteen minutes still seems like a chore, make it five.

Instead of trying to write a story or a chapter, try to write just a page. Alternatively, write five different possible first lines.

Instead of writing something good, accept that first drafts are often awful. But you've got to write them to discover what you have to say, so let them be bad. You'll revise later.

That, in brief, is how you atomize time, scope, and ambition.

Answer 2

You can put that particular work aside and try some writing exercises to get your juices going. I've even heard of people typing pages and pages of books by great authors.

A change of venue may help -- outside vs. at the desk, for example -- as may writing longhand for a little while as opposed to using the computer.

If all else fails, don't be afraid to take a break. Sometimes the only thing that cures writers block is time. Your brain may need to catch up with your subject matter.

Answer 3

Try writing down as fast as you can in 3 minutes everything that comes into your head. Take a walk and pretend you are having a conversation with one of your characters, see what they liked or dislike about the story line. Look at some old photographs. Thumb through dictionary, randomly pick out a word, write a sentence using it, write a paragraph around it and then a short story using it. Mostly, eat a candy bar, drink a soda, just relax and it will open up.

Answer 4

The only thing that works for me is to leave the thing you're writing completely alone for a day or so, and go on to a different project. Try having more than one project on the go at once, and move between them. That way you'll usually have SOMETHING you can work on when one thing goes stale, and the bonus is that you'll have a whole new perspective on the thing that's 'stuck' when you come back, because you haven't been obsessing about it.

Also, a good rule of thumb is that, if you can't work out what to ADD next, it probably means you should consider REMOVING something instead. Go back to an earlier point in your story or essay or poem, and look for a new path forward.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Writers block comes when you try to force a story, be it real or fiction doesnt matter. Write something else. Just an editorial. Pick a place to eat, eat there, then write your thoughts on it. Once you get that done, as long as you are in agreement with what you are trying to write, it will work.

Answer 6

Discuss what's happening in your story with close friends whose opinion of your writing you value. Sometimes just talking to someone helps me figure things out when I'm stuck. I also like to read a book out of the same genre and to daydream a ton....and to look at pictures of food..... Oh, and music. Music always helps me during writer's block.

Answer 7

try to think deep within yourself because writing is what you feel inside and what you feel emotionally, physically... think of things/ideas you like, read other books, read other things you've written. just wait and it'll come to you. I've been through writer's block many times. =)

Answer 8

I've never had it. I guess because my genre is science fiction and it's easy to come up with story lines. I always have several stores running through my mind. I can't imagine not having any idea of what to write. My problem is deciding which story to start next.

Answer 9

Daydream about the story.
Think of the most random thing you possibly can (go to wikipedia and look at the featured article or whatever it is) and try to fit it into what you're writing in some way.

Answer 10

if you are of age go and get utterlydrunk and suffer a headache for a day or so it might give you something to think about if not go on a binge like most writers