Attention, writers!

[thesilentman]

I am currently writing a novel that's been on and off for 2 years but now I got a really bad case of writer's block. What do you do to help yourself get back writing? I also would like to know some tips for getting a certain scene from my head out onto Word. So can you just tell me some tips on dealing with writer's block and how to write? Thanks for your time.

 

[Batou667]

Not a writer but I've heard that when writing a story, you don't necessarily need to start at the beginning and finish at the end. That's what your readers will do, but the process you take can be completely different. If you have a brilliant set-piece or event in mind but you're trying to figure out how to engineer the situation to get your characters into it - sod it. Write the exciting event first and then go back and link it later (making sure to edit it so it all makes transitional sense). Basically, there's no need to defer writing the exciting bits.

To break writers block, try just writing ANYTHING. Write a quick bit of poetry. Make up the dirtiest limerick you can think of. Copy out a recipe as best you can from memory. Write some free-association bullshit. Write down some witty observation or a juicy bit of dialogue. Even just type gobbledygook with your eyes closed if nothing else comes to mind, just to ease yourself into the "feeling" of sitting and typing. A blank page is the enemy of writing, but a page half-full of text will tend to self-replicate, if you get what I mean.

 

[Chasing-The-Light]

I agree with Batou that you don't necessarily have to start at the beginning, and write to the end. I know writers that write out all the scenes that they have ideas for, and then go back and string them all together, but I personally can't do that. I have to write from start to finish or I'll never go back and work on early stuff. xD

Anyway, what I do to get past writer's block is really to just keep writing, first off. Just write words down for it and see where it goes and what comes of it. Also, I listen to a lot of music. Then over time songs just start being recognized, to me, as being for that story. Then I start organizing playlists and making sort of 'soundtracks' for my story. So when I have no idea what to write, I just sit back, close my eyes, and listen to the songs and see what comes about from there.

Hope that helps!

 

[senordesol]

I hate writer's block with a burning passion! But the people before me speak the truth: work on something else for a while; allow your mind to rest and rework 'the words'.

Now, with regard to writing a 'scene'. The most important thing to remember is 'what is your reader supposed to take away from this scene?' If it's the 'feel' of a place, focus on the environmental details, if it's dialogue try 'playing' the dialogue in your head like a movie. What's the point of your story and how does this scene help drive that point home? Answer that question, and it should help your scene immensely.

 

[Mel Theofficegamergirl]

believe it or not, I've found that the best thing to do when you have writer's block is...to take a break. I know that probably sounds counter-productive a little nuts, but I usually get better ideas and stuff once I've cleared my head for a bit. Take your mind off of it for a while and it should come back to you. If it doesn't, you might get another idea that you may be able to tie into it anyways. I hope that makes some sense.