forum Writer's Block

Started March 20, 2018 by @Story_Siren group

tune

How do you get past it? I have several different stories I'm writing right now, but actually trying to write feels like pulling teeth. Help?

Okay, so the way that I get rid of writer's block is doing these things:

• take a walk
• think 'what if?' (for example, what if I killed off this character? What if I took this away from this character?)
• read
• stop roleplaying (I know, it sounds absurd and this might be just me, but I get writer's block when I roleplay. I think it's because I'm focusing on that story and not mine. So if your in any RP's, maybe just stop them for a while and see if it fixes anything)
• listen to music
• get enthusiastic or set a goal for yourself
• if you're finding a part hard to write, write another part of the story
• write with your emotions (if you're feeling angry, write a fight, if you're sad, write a death or sad part, etc.)
• imagine (I know it sounds weird, but just shut everything off and imagine scenes with your characters. If you like them, write it down!)
• keep a notebook

and if all else fails…

• take a break from writing. Experience life, jot down any ideas you get or just take a break from writing all together. Wait until you're inspired again. If you find that you're still not inspired, try those other things again. And if you're still not inspired, try something new because that's one of the best ways to get inspiration. Just whatever you do, don't give up.

Have you written a basic plot outline yet?

Sort of. I have the general big ideas down, and then some of the smaller points, but whenever I try to write it, it's just…ugh.

Well it's been helpful for me to write out all the main plot points in chronological order, then kind of brainstorm some random scenes and make an out-of-order list. THEN I start writing the plot scene by scene (like, one sentence or less per scene). I get everything I know out there, even if there are a lot of holes, and then I try to start filling those holes with one sentence scenes. That way I can tackle the writer's block in the plot stage rather than in the writing stage. Saves a lot of time. Also, you don't have to write every single scene that will possibly happen, and you really want to sick to one sentences describing each scene. That's because you want to give yourself some creative room to breathe and to change stuff whenever you need to.

At least, that's how detailed I like doing my plots. :P

I AM RANDOMLY REVIVING THIS THREAD!!!

make yourself a playlist of songs that are really good for motivating and helping you focus