Ask the Author
Q. How do you deal with writer’s block?
A. One sure way to combat writer’s block is to write every day at about the same time of day. It’s almost as if you’re making an appointment with the muse. Once you start standing her up, she might not come 'round no more.
Sometimes a writer is blocked because he or she has made a wrong turn in the story or is forcing a character to do something he or she doesn’t want to do. Try going in a totally different direction and see if that doesn’t clear up the block.
Leaving the computer for a few minutes can usually clear up minor blocks. Do something mindless and repetitive like running, vaccuming or swilling scotch (jest kidding... kind of) to allow your subconscious to work on the problem.
When it comes to heavy-duty blocks, it might be a good idea to abandon the manuscript for a while and start on something completely different. Stephen King was blocked when he wrote The Stand and he dumped it, thinking he’d never solve his narrative problems. Shortly after he started working on something else, a solution arrived.
It’s important to know that almost every writer experiences block at one time or another, but the block always clears up. Don’t be in a hurry; don’t start freaking out about a deadline. Always have complete faith that the answer will come, grasshopper.
Here are some additional tips.
Feel free to chime in with your own tips.
Have a question for Ask the Author? Email nechespublicity @ knology.net
Lit Links
Free lectures to make you a better writer.
Checklist of fiction faults from science fiction writer Ray Nelson
How to increase your word count from author Jennifer Hudson Taylor
How to write the second novel by Stephanie Kallos
Very funny essay on an embarrassing book signing by Ken Burger
Faceboo? Twitter? Negotiating the thorny world of social networks
Q. How do you deal with writer’s block?
A. One sure way to combat writer’s block is to write every day at about the same time of day. It’s almost as if you’re making an appointment with the muse. Once you start standing her up, she might not come 'round no more.
Sometimes a writer is blocked because he or she has made a wrong turn in the story or is forcing a character to do something he or she doesn’t want to do. Try going in a totally different direction and see if that doesn’t clear up the block.
Leaving the computer for a few minutes can usually clear up minor blocks. Do something mindless and repetitive like running, vaccuming or swilling scotch (jest kidding... kind of) to allow your subconscious to work on the problem.
When it comes to heavy-duty blocks, it might be a good idea to abandon the manuscript for a while and start on something completely different. Stephen King was blocked when he wrote The Stand and he dumped it, thinking he’d never solve his narrative problems. Shortly after he started working on something else, a solution arrived.
It’s important to know that almost every writer experiences block at one time or another, but the block always clears up. Don’t be in a hurry; don’t start freaking out about a deadline. Always have complete faith that the answer will come, grasshopper.
Here are some additional tips.
Feel free to chime in with your own tips.
Have a question for Ask the Author? Email nechespublicity @ knology.net
Lit Links
Free lectures to make you a better writer.
Checklist of fiction faults from science fiction writer Ray Nelson
How to increase your word count from author Jennifer Hudson Taylor
How to write the second novel by Stephanie Kallos
Very funny essay on an embarrassing book signing by Ken Burger
Faceboo? Twitter? Negotiating the thorny world of social networks
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