[NancyBrooke]

Does anyone have any advice for overcoming writer's block?

I've been working on this story for months now. At first I felt like a muse was whispering in my ear - I had to carry a notebook around everywhere as scenes and narrative just kept coming to me! The first part and introduction are completed exactly as I want.

But I'm completely stymied on the next part and I've got at least two more to go! The voice seems to have deserted me and I don't know how to get it back. Now the outlines I made no longer seem the best way to tell this part of the story. Oh, it's miserable and very frustrating .

Any suggestions?

Nancy

[dolarabee]

Nancy,

I don't consider myself much of a writer but I'll tell you what I do... usually, I try and find a moment where I'm alone, with no outside distractions or current RL dramas where my mind can be dragged back to, and I re-read what I've written. This is usually enough to get me back in. As I read, past ideas resurface and new ones blossom and I'm able to pick up pretty much where I left off.

But - there's always a but - sometimes it doesn't work. My tip in that case is not to force it. Leave it, take a step back. Do something altogether different or write about something else. In a few days, try again... or it might come back to you by itself, without further prodding.

There's also the bouncing off of ideas with someone else. Have you got a beta or a collaborator for your fics. Try using them as sounding boards. Working through your planned outline, its twists and turns, characters, situations, etc, with an outside eye might help.

In any case, good luck.

do.

[sindohte]

I find what works best for me when I am blocked is to step away from writing and go about my life. After a few days of being away from the story, I find that I start turning over story ideas in my head again and the well of my creativity is filled anew and brimming with ideas.

Listening to music or looking at artwork are two other things I do to help get me in the mood for writing.

Sometimes completely abandoning your current story and then working on a side story might be a way to reinvigorate your muse. About 3 weeks ago I found that my interest in writing the story I am currently working on started waning. Well I went off and wrote a scene involving a minor character from the current story. Being able to step away from the main characters that I have been writing about for the past months and getting inside the psyche of a character that hasn't been as fully fleshed out yet was a terrific writing exercise. And as a result of this little detour, I was able to return to the story I was originally writing and have been rather prolific. Too prolific some people might say

[JennnLee]

I definitely suggest rereading what you've got so far, that helps me a lot of the time. But otherwise, I just allow myself to take a break. There are some times that my creative brain just needs to recharge, and there's not a darn thing I can do about it. I'll buy myself a paperback, or work on a cross-stitch project, and within a few days/couple of weeks I'll find that the ideas start coming back, slowly but surely.

I also concur with the thought of working on something else. Lately, fanfic - especially LOTR stories - is the stuff I do to take a break from The Book, which sometimes feels like the bane of my existence. But writing about yummy elves or horselords has absolutely nothing to do with The Book, so it lets my brain work in a different way.

Good luck with it, but do remember that genius can't be rushed. Your muse will come back when she's ready to, and probably when it's most inconvenient to you.

[TheMissing]

When I have a block (right now in fact), I take a break from what I am writing. Then I do not get confused and have time to think.

[queenoftheshire]

I'm not sure why this helps me: Read parts of the book that have even the most remote connection to your story. I happen to read the apendices the most. Thats where most of my stories come from

[KhazarKhum]

Here's one that never fails:

Go somewhere, or do something, for a weekend (you don't even have to leave home). Do not touch anything that you can use to write with! No pens, pencils, crayons, computer, nothing.

This always works for me--the characters immediately start trying to get my attention, and by the time Monday rolls around they're champing at the bit.

During your little "vacation", ask yourself what your main character would think of your car, TV, etc. That's also a good way to get them talking to you.

HTH[/i]

[queenoftheshire]

KhazarKhum you're absolutly right! Sometimes I won't get a chance to write for days and I start to go crazy. It really is a good way to cure your writers block.

[KhazarKhum]

We have a booth at the Renaissance faires, at we usually bring my laptop along in case I want to do some writing. Well, lately we've left it home, because when it was available, I didn't use it. Now that it's out of reach, BAM they were ready to go with all sorts of ideas & plot points that never existed before.

[LuthienTinuviel]

When I reached writer's block... which happens quite a number of times... I just leave it be... and come back to it when I have the mood. I like to listen to Celtic/Classical Music so I listen to that... get a feel...

I dunno... when it comes... it comes... when it doesn't... oh, well... watch tv, surf the net mindlessly... sleep... play with my cats... depends...

Still practising my English and writing...

[Moralanqua]

I usually step away from the fic and let the muses return whenever they want.

Song lyrics, art, a dream or even something as silly as people watching usually send my ideas kicking into overdrive. Im also a real bisom for starting 10 other stories when i have yet to finish a full multi chapter fic.

I'd say you should try relaxing in a hot bubble bath, surround yourself with candles and lock the door. Put on some music - Gladiator soundtrack etc and close your eyes. Then rethink the characters you have created and set new scenes based on the emotions created from relaxing in the tub and the backing music you select.

If all else fails - try porn.

[BittenBuggy]

Mora.......lol

[LuthienTinuviel]

PORN?

*startled*

Oh, well... so much for staying sweet and innocent

lol

[Annie103]

OK, someone might have already said this but I can't be bothered to read all those posts I've heard that just forcing yourself to right something, even if it is a complete load of rubbish, helps to get rid of the block.

[Viv]

Okay, I'm having a weird problem here. I'm writing, a lot, but all of it is utter crap. I go back and read and think... no way I'm letting this one out of the basement for people to see!

So, we all have some strategies for getting rid of writer's block, but how about getting rid of Writer's Crap?? Help!