How do you deal with writer's block?

Question

I am pretty stuck right now. Any ideas would be appreciated

Answer 1

When I get writer's block I find movies that are of the same general subject as I am writing about and watch them. It doesn't matter if you've seen them before.
They have the effect of giving you an escape from your anxiety and then very often good ideas will flow when you relax.

Answer 2

I take several approaches.

One is to skip to the end of whatever I want to write. Ask yourself, "Where am I going with this? What final words do I want to leave the reader with?" Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, you should be able to do this.

Once you've done that, if you are still unable to move forward from where you last left off, write the paragraph before the last simply by deciding what needs to be said before those last words. Many professional writers employ this technique and some of the most famous books in literature have been written ending first.

If you are simply at a loss for a fictional subject to write about, close your eyes, lie down somewhere quiet (or put on soft, instrumental music), and envision your characters, one at a time. Who are they? What do they do with their time? When they get together, how do they interact? What event might put them together? How will they grow and change?

Use your imagination to toy with this until you feel you know them. Then write down notes about each character. Again, this is an essential technique that many writers use (there are various approaches but all involve taking notes on the characters) for writing books, movies and tv.

Without knowing more about what you're trying to write, that is all I can offer in specifics. Other help includes taking a walk, jogging, or doing some other sport while contemplating your subject. You should also read what someone else has written on the subject because that might spark your own ideas (just don't copy what they wrote!). Another thing is to have a conversation (in person is best but on phone is okay) with someone about the topic on which you're writing.

Remember, also, that you are not bound by what you write. Erasing or deleting is an option unless you're carving stone, so don't be afraid to write something you don't like. Just the act of getting words on page is enough. If you don't have the word you want, list several other options in a bubble instead, that may help you find the word you want or allow you to better visualize your options.

By having words on paper, you can evaluate your writing, deciding what you like and what you don't like, keeping what works, erasing what doesn't work. Having words, any words, even if slightly incoherent will at least give you something to mold and shape. You can't do that with plain paper or a blank screen.

Good Luck! You're also welcome to email me if you need more help.

Answer 3

I sometimes write about my writers block .. or about my frustrations with the project. This lets me vent, but also lets me feel like I am not completely going on a tangent. When I settle back to the topic at hand, things usually flow a bit more smooth.

Brainstorming, or just slogging through seem to help as well. Often that means I have to go back and re-write bits where normally editing would suffice, but it keeps things flowing :)

Answer 4

Take a break and do whatever inspired you to write in the first place. For me inspiration usually comes from watching other people or talking to my friends. When I have writers block I'll either check out whats going on in the news, sit outside and people-watch, or call a friend.

Answer 5

just start writing about anything you see; be it nature, a particular pet, a amusing converstion of funny person, a dream you remember vividly from childhood, a hot erotic thought and as you begin to write you free what ver part of your blocked talent is having problems letting go. SORT of like exercising a muscle isn't it, the more you use it in varied ways the easier it is to use.

Answer 6

You definitely need to expose yourself to a new surrounding. Take a drive somewhere. Get out and walk. Sit in the mall and watch people. Fresh ideas will come to you.

Answer 7

Personally I try to release stress and mellow out...

I go down to the gun range and fire off about 1000 rounds of ammo, go to the gym and work out, take my dog out and go hunting for 2 or 3 days, play Warcraft online for a day or two straight, play several games on my Nintendo DS Lite or fire up any one of my older game systems and play some shoot em up or other games.

But you get the general idea. Stress relief - get it all out of your system and ground yourself back to normal.

Answer 8

Start writing about something entirely unrelated but interesting and always put off in the past for having better things to do.

Answer 9

Think of something far off the story you're writing. Sometimes that will perpetuate what you DON'T want to write about and leads you to what sounds better than that bad idea.

Answer 10

Leave it for awhile, depending on when it is due. Keep it in mind when you go for a walk, look at nature, relax. Bring a pen and paper in case you unblock suddenly or even better a tape recorder.