If you're interested in writing, regardless if you're experienced or just starting out, you might find something useful in this tip series. In this part, we will discuss Writer's Block, what does it mean and some methods of handling it.
Introduction
Writer's Block tends to happen to a lot of people. It is the moment when you are sitting in front of a blank piece of paper (regardless if it's on screen or IRL) and can't think of a single thing to write.
I've read a lot of people on message boards asking for a "cure" to their Writer's Block, as if it's some sort of disease on their minds. It isn't. There is no cure for it I'm afraid.
What Can Cause It
So Writer's Block is weird. Imagine for instance if you go to your annual check up, and the physician says "sorry I can't give you your check up, I got physician's block" :D Like something like that can never happen. But since writing is such an involved process and it requires you to use a lot of creative thinking, your brain can just...overload. And that's when you come up with blank after blank after blank.
In my opinion, the biggest factor in Writer's Block - is fear. And you combat that fear with information. I am paraphrasing a famous John Vorhaus quote, but that's the gist of it. When you don't plan ahead, as far ahead, as needed. You will be stumped.
If you are drawing blanks perhaps you cannot write that scene off the cuff? Perhaps you need to take a walk, think awhile about the scene and what you want to write. Take a different approach in writing it.
One thing that doesn't happen to me, but has happened to several friends, is having a bad mood and not being able to write because of it. I am not a very moody person, and if you aren't as well then this circumstance might also elude you. And if you are. Then again just chill out. Take a breather, think about what you want to do and how you want to do it. Even better is when you take your emotions and use them to influence the scene. Feed off them. Get Molded By Them (yes, that was a Bane quote, sue me).
Another probable cause, that is really hard to deduce as a new writer, is that there may be something fundamentally flawed with what you are doing. Something in the setup of the scene or the world. We learn to write by instinct, so it's hard to get away from your subconscious prodding you, telling you: Hey buddy, this is not how it's supposed to be, you are not gonna write anything else until you figure it out.
Just Write vs Just Wait
Before we start to get into these solutions, I just want to stress again that you alone need to find out what causes and how to handle your Writer's Block. This blog is not some magical wish granting post that will dispose of your Writer's Block.
Now this argument is pretty futile, in my honest opinion of course. I believe that writing will always help you more than waiting. If you are stressed out or have a cold - if something external is bugging you - then yeah, sure, waiting might help you out. But I would argue that writing will help you out more in either case.
Even if the scene is flawed, just push through the block and write it. Write anything, it doesn't matter. It will get your creative juices going at any rate. Being stubborn and writing when you just wanna walk away has saved me countless times from depositing an empty page.
If it's an outside factor, then maybe it is a better idea to just cool off and decompress. Take a step back from everything. But there are people that use their writing to decompress and in the process get rid of any slight Writer's Block they might have.
Stress Writing Is Not Bad Writing
There are a lot of writers that have said that our favorite scenes were almost scrapped. And that is because the author cannot see clearly, he is deluded by emotion and thinks there is something missing with the scene. When in fact he has subconsciously used said emotions to write an even more powerful scene. And you won't be able to know this unless you write. the. scene.
Reread, Rework, Remake
Don't be afraid to make mistakes.
You ask me: "But Jovu what if I can't write anything? How do I write something when..." Stop it. You can always write something. The reason why you aren't writing anything, is because of that stupid fear that's in the back of your head. Just write the damn scene, even if it's poorly written, write it the best way you can and it will turn out good.
And if it doesn't you will reread it, find out what's wrong with it, and add/subtract what's needed. When I personally find myself in this sort of situation, I never hold back, I change anything and everything until it feels right. This means changing your setting, or you character's motivations etc etc. Once you have fixed what your psyche is bugging you about, you will instinctively know - trust me.
Going back and reading your work with another perspective is always hard to do. But you need to try and do it regardless. If there is someone who could point out the flaws - then you are in heaven my friend. But most of us don't have that luxury. So getting into the habit of rereading and reworking your stuff is a good habit to have.
Conclusion
The best advise I think I can give you, is just write. Even if the scene is terrible, even if you think the characters are not working, you won't figure it out without first putting it to paper.
I personally rarely suffer from Writer's Block, but the few times I have searched the internet for a cause/cure I have found that "just write" is the most common response people get. And it's with a good reason. Most of the time it works.
What should you write in that sort of situation? Anything and everything. If you are having serious Writer's Block, then adding an attacking squad of ninjas to your scene will surely get you pumped up at least. :D You can delete the scene later when you have overcome your Writer's Block.
Anyways, those are my 2 cents on the topic. Here are the image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
For the people curious about my separators and new Footer Banner. The wonderful and super talented @kristyglas made them for me. Check her stuff out if you happen to be a fan of dragons like me. :D
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