how do u get over a writers block?

Question

omg ok i wanted to write a book and now i cant think of anything please help :)

Answer 1

This is the method I teach to students

1) Put the book aside and read - at least two books - Classics.

2) Brainstorm on paper - anything no matter how silly it sounds. Fill a notebook with ideas if you want - just come up with lots.

3) Write the ideas on file cards one per card. Sit down at a table and start shuffling them around trying to create a story from them. Keep moving them - dont be afraid for it to sound silly.

4) Make an outline from those cards when you find something interesting.

5) Try to write a very very short story from that outline. Then write several more very very short stories from the cards. See which one lends itself to a longer work

6) Start doing character studies and analysis - back to the file cards. Write down anything you know about your characters - adjectives, habits, appearance, likes and dislikes, occupation, age, anything. Look in magazines and catalogs and cut out pics that resemble the character as you see them in your mind.

7) Back to the table. Start pushing the character cards around - see who rubs who and how -- Who likes who? Who hates who? Main character to main character - then main character to secondary character - then secondary character to secondary character. This will help you come up with subplots

8) Back to your outline. Plug in the subplots.

9) Come up with a kick tail first sentece that will draw your readers into the story.

10) Start writing.

It works for my students. Just make sure you dont skip the two classics - that is the inspiration that unblocks and inspires you. If you are still blocked, move onto something else. I have about 4 books on disks - started but it just wasnt the right time to write them for me. One goes back to when my 20 yr old son was a baby. Maybe I will finish it one day, maybe not. So far the mood hasnt struck me. And it is a great idea - never been done. Im just not ready for it yet. No shame in leaving something aside.

Good luck. Pax - C.

Answer 2

Just keep writing. There are a lot of good resources for how to write in your local library or on line. Remember the basics of brainstorming, outlines, asking who, what, where, why and how, and write ,write, write. Keep a file of all your story ideas and go back to them and add to to them. Check the magazines you read and see if they take readers submissions, and submit your writing. Utilize your friends and family. Have them read what you write and give suggestions and try not to get too disappointed if they find things wrong. Most writers receive 20-30 rejection notices before receiving a yes.

Answer 3

What I did is watched tons of movies and read different books from categories in books I would have never read, like something besides Science Fiction. I also looked at fanfiction.net and read peoples fan fiction. And then my friend told me to write a just short story and i had so many ideas for books instead of little stories it was unbelievable! Hope that was helpful!

Answer 4

It varies from person to person. I usually listen to music that I like and just take a walk. Maybe just reread what I have already written and see if anything else comes to mind. Also, I have heard that writing about somethign out of your comfort zone also inspires you. Best of luck getting over it though! It can vary and last a while, but hopefully you can over come your's with some of those ^

Answer 5

There's no real easy way to get "over" writer's block. I just take breaks often and go on vacation--at certain times--to help reduce the instances that I *do* have writer's block.

Answer 6

coming up with the idea is the hardest part. once you know what you are going to do - it's just doing it.

save the cat - by blake snyder really helped me with the writers block I was experiencing, i came up with several good ideas after reading this book.
excuse the author's bad attitude, incredible ego, and general condescending talk to the reader.

Answer 7

what works best for me is usually showing my most recent sections or discussing my ideas with my best readers and using the conversations to get the ideas in my head moving. otherwise, I find some music or go outside to write and get as far away from everyone else as I possibly can. good luck.

Answer 8

I get out my metaphorical chainsaw and hack away at it bit by bit. I go out, get away from that blank page (Which is VERY intimidating at times, right) and immerse myself in life. Then after a day or two I just jump right back in. It's going to flow, sometimes you just have to throw it on the back burner and let your subconscious live with it for a bit.

Answer 9

Put the blocks away and get out a pen and paper

Answer 10

david morrell, the guy who created rambo, has a written conversation with himself. that way, he almost never gets writer's block. he always rereads his original motivation, and that gets his juices flowing again.