Writer's block - how have you personally dealt with it?

[Shilpa Mudiganti]

Hello friends,

 

I know there are tons of articles out there telling how to combat writer's block. But I am interested to know how do you actually deal with it. I read, read and read - http://tinyurl.com/68rqa2o

 

What do you do? 

 -Shilpa

www.smmirza.blogspot.com

 

[Shilpa Mudiganti]

How true! I have noticed my write-ups gets all sad when I do that. Moods are so important to me to write!

[Jordan Butcher]

Elizabeth Sharpe wrote a fantastic blog on this today. Very personal, talking about the things that worked for her when it comes to writer's block. Some of her ideas are really good thoughts. You can view that blog here.

 

Jordan Butcher
The Ink Puddle

[Shilpa Mudiganti]

Thanks Jordan! They are indeed some great tips. I loved the character specific blog post that she recommended. Fantastic idea! :)

 

[Stephen D. Rogers]

Hey Shilpa,

 

When I get blocked, I switch over to another project.  I'm not ignoring the piece that's giving me trouble, but allowing my subsconscious a chance to brainstorm while I work on the other project.

 

Stephen

http://www.StephenDRogers.com

[Shilpa Mudiganti]

Hello Stephen,

I agree. Taking mind off the thing for a while should help. When I would take a break, I would usually get too much away and lose the rhythm. But putting the energy in another writing project is good thing! I should try that soon! 

Thanks for stopping by!

-shilpa

www.smmirza.blogspot.com

 

[Marta Szemik]

Hi Shilpa,

When I have a block I put myself into the characters shoes - right into that scene and ask myself: what would happen next? What do I want to accomplish? Where do I want to end up at the end of the chapter and how will I get there? Would someone walk into the room? If outside, would a train pass by? Would a bird fly over my head? Do I have to run? Do I meet someone new? That's my way of dealing with a writer's block. Sometimes I'm way off and chapters end up in my "spares" pile - but I keep writing.

Hope this helps!

Marta

http://martaszemik.blogspot.com/

[Shilpa Mudiganti]

Hello Marta,

Sure. That's a great way actually. To be with the story and your writing even when you are not. wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Nicholas Borelli]

I've written 7 books and 4 screenplays in 12 years. There is no such thing as writer's block. Just keep going. Then rewrite. Again and again and again.

[Shilpa Mudiganti]

Hello Nicholas,

I am awed by your experience. I cannot dispute you when you say that. I think one needs to write more when you feel you cannot. The only issue I feel in that approach with me is my mood changes my story completely. But then, learning from the responses above, writing something else should solve it. 

Thank you so much taking the time to respond here!

-Shilpa

[E. S. Lark]

I've dealt with writer's block every now and again. For me, it comes in two varieties--out of ideas or I care so much about how it flows that I obsess and get stuck. I had a really bad block last year. I was working on an important scene and didn't want to jump forward in the story. Because of this, I was stuck for about 2 weeks.

 

The best way to deal with writer's block is to remind yourself that it's just the first draft, you can make mistakes and come back to it later. I've found that writing when you're tired can help (at least it does for me) because it means I'm not obsessing over every detail.

[Shilpa Mudiganti]

Hello,

That is a great feeling, isn't it? I love writing first drafts because I put no constraints on my ideas at all! This is some great advice. Thanks!

 

-Shilpa

[Angela Ross (Savannah Rose)]

Personally, I take writer's block as a way to say "take a break". So I do. I watch movies in the genre I write or read a book. I take a walk outside or go to the local mall and do some people watching. Sometimes it's best to just "take a break" from writing to refresh you and your muse.