Best Way to Beat Writer's Block

[terrimain]

Most of us at one time or another hit a dead end in our writing. We just can't think of what to put next or even how to start writing. What are some things you do to "beat the block." Here are a couple of my favorites:

Do something entirely different. It could be working on a different type of writing or doing something totally boring and not intellectually stimulating like washing dishes or organizing files or grading papers.

Jump to another part of the writing. If I can't figure out how to start, I sometimes simply jump to a scene I have thought about which is further along in the story.

So, what are your ideas.

Terri

[Johne Cook]

Orson Scott Card suggests that writer's block is the subconscious trying to tell us something is wrong with the story. I backtrack upstream until I'm back on firm footing, and press forward from there, whether that means cutting a paragraph, a page, a chapter, or even more. It never fails.

[terrimain]

Interesting perspective. I doubt it is always true, but it certainly could often be true.

Terri

[CullinsSmith]

I'm afraid my situation is more along the line of just too many "real life" problems and distractions. It's hard to be creative when I'm worried about finances (aren't we ALL in that particular boat?!) or health issues. I keep hoping life will settle down here, but I think I'm going to have to find a way around the problem. Waiting for them to dissipate -- or even gear down to a dull roar -- doesn't seem to be working.

One thing that does help is music. I use alot of soundtracks -- like King Arthur, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean -- or celtic music. Anything purely instrumental. Works especially well with fantasy or historical/fantasy subjects. If I know the words, I tend to sing along! That doesn't work when trying to write. Classical also works really well.

[terrimain]

Health issues get to me often. I have bad asthma and sometimes if the air is esp. bad or if I am having trouble breathing, by the end of the day when I have time to write, I'm completely exhausted. And thinking about lifting my fingers to type is like lifting a ten ton weight.

One thing I have done (and should do more of it) is I do mini-writing sessions. I set a timer and say, "I'm only going to write for 10 min. I can do anything for 10 min." Then I do and stop at 10 minutes. Do something else, rest and then do another 10 minutes. Sometimes, for me, the weariness is anticipatory as well as actual. By just pushing a little, I get a little done that I wo uldn't have gotten done. Sometimes it is enough to break though a type of creative inertia.

But I don't always do that either. Sometimes I just collapse.

Terri

[KarinaFabian]

What helps me:

If I'm feeling intimidated (or just balking) at a subject, I tell myself: I can do a stupid first draft and edit later.

I set a timer.

I promise myself a reward.

I remind myself of a deadline.

I take a shower and think about the next scene. The flowing hot water really helps!

I have a "cue" like a specific soundtrack, my fedora, or something else that is only for that particular piece of work. I turn it on or put it on and that's my signal to write.