Breaking Writer's Block

No! I don't have writer's block. Well, at least since about two days ago. Anyways, AFCP ch5 should be up by Friday and it promises to be a good one. In the mean time let me know what you think about my stab at a "how-to"

Breaking Writer’s Block
Well this one’s a real doozy. I’m pretty sure we’ve all experienced it, that feeling when you sit down, the next award winning one-shot/novella/epic right at the tip of your tongue, you crack open a new word/google/whatever/document and BAM!

It’s gone.

Well it’s not truly gone, you just can’t seem to write anything. Your mind goes blank. What the drekk just happened?

Perhaps you’re halfway through a glorious chapter when it strikes you, and no amount of checking your plot outline (if you even have one), referring to the last chapter, or anything else seems to work.

Never fear. There are ways to break this seemingly impossible wall.
Now there is no sure fire, cure all for writer’s block that works for everyone. There truly isn’t. If there was, some jerk would sell it in a bottle. So I’ll list a few of the more common ones and some of my personal favourites.
So, these are a few you’ve probably heard of.

Listening to music. I heartily recommend this. There also is no musical genre that “works” best. Some might argue that classical orchestration is the way to go, but often I find that to not be true. I’ve personally regained “the spark” via rap (a genre I used to hate strongly dislike) heavy metal, and even 60’s doowop.

Le break. Just like a day. Take a day to stop banging your head on the wall and go do something completely different than writing. Perhaps keep your writing idea in the back of your mind throughout your little break but don’t try to force yourself to write. That ruins the whole point of the break. Now if you have multiple projects and one of them is giving you trouble maybe switch to another, but be sure to return to whatever was giving you trouble. Never surrender to the writer’s block.

“We choose do these things not because they are the easy, but because they are hard.”1

Now these are some of my personal sure fire’s, but remember no two people on this galactic dust speck are exactly alike. What works great for me might simply lead to more frustration for you. (but hey, my ways are fun so it’s like a win-win)

The hike. Get out of the house. Getting out in nature is best, but nothing wrong with exploring an urban sprawl, or suburban jungle. Just go out and walk, you can listen to your favorite music playing device or go in silence. Take a pet or go alone. It matters little. Let your thoughts run wild, and carry a pen and paper to record whatever strikes you. There are infinite possibilities. But the main thing is-

A change of scenery. Very much like the hike, this is to get you out in the world. Like many authors I have a dedicated “writing shrine” in my house. It’s just a desk, with a lamp, and several pictures and statuettes I find inspiring. Nothing fancy. As nice and great a help this is, I sometimes need to escape my normal surroundings. I’ve sat with my laptop in sushi bars, restaurant, and gaming clubs for hours just typing away. Not only do I get some writing done, I get sushi! (win-win) But don’t just limit yourself to restaurants and clubs, you should always have pen and paper with you to jot down whatever strikes you. I once got half a chapter done while several tons of steel train roared by overhead.

Here’s a handful of suggestions for place to go to try and write.
Nature. (define however you want)
Children’s Park. (just try to not look too much like a creeper, though your favorite mlp shirt may not help either)
Top of a mountain. A tad bit hard to get to, but totally worth it.
Restaurant. Preferably a small time, family owned affair. And try and go when they’re not that busy. (and for Luna’s sake order at least SOMETHING, and TIP (no, I don’t care if your French)
Library. Only problem is a lot of paperbound distractions.
Anywhere you can sit with pen and paper.

The freewrite. This is how I think every writer should start their day. A ten minute freewrite. Sit down, with no prior idea (or find a prompt, but I find that just chucking words down works for me) and just write. This is just to loosen up your writing brain, like when a master pianist “warms up” by playing a simple finger twister. Just get the creative juices flowing.

Take inventory. Look over EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING you have at your disposal in the scene. I’m talking what’s in the room? Who’s in the room? What they do or say to advance the plot? What are their different personalities, views, and mannerisms? You can pull a Twilight and make a list, a chart, or just haphazard notes. Look those over and try to piece something together.

The second opinion. Get one. Find a buddy or someone else to look over whatever you have, or to listen to your idea. This doesn’t mean you have to sign some collaboration contract, or find someone who actually writes, or anything of that sort. If the someone has ever read/watched a movie, then he/she is qualified. You’d be amazed what they might point out. (my dog has given me some great advice) (if you can’t think of anyone, you can PM and I’ll glance it over)

These are just some of the ones that work very often of me, I am well aware that there are other methods out there. If there’s one that works very well for you, say so in the comments! If these don’t work, say so in the comments.
1 J.F.K Sept. 12 1962