We’ve all had moments when the writing won’t flow. The ideas won’t come. We’re stuck. It’s
not writer’s block exactly, but more a feeling of spinning wheels on a muddy road. With a bit of
traction, you can get back and get writing.
How to get that traction and jumpstart your writing? Here are a few tips and tricks.
Stay In Bed – This is my most self-serving and embarrassing tip. But there is nothing like
lying in bed, hovering in that relaxed and fertile state between sleep and waking, for gathering ideas. When I was on deadline with my third book, Drawn and Buttered, I kept my laptop next to my bed, typing late into the night and starting up again upon waking, with no interruptions except sleep.
If you use this tip, you get points if you have someone bring you breakfast in bed.
Take a Walk - Walking briskly is probably the healthiest way to spur a mind relaxed and focused
on plotting. Fresh air, exercise, and possibly catching the neighbors doing plot worthy things
always helps my writing.
remember everything she taught us, but I do remember one surprisingly effective trick. When
we were stuck, Sister Arlene had us write the word “Idea” on a piece of scrap paper, over and
over. Perhaps she was also trying to get us to improve our “chicken scratch” handwriting, but
neuroscience has backed up this approach. Here are two articles that explain how handwriting
sparks more and more complex connections within the brain than keyboarding. Here and Here
sweeping, knitting – frees the mind to wander. Plus you could end up with a really nice
potholder.
Act It Out – I’ve discovered that stuck feeling happens for a reason – it’s my subconscious telling
me that I’ve gotten off track, that a plot point or bit of dialogue doesn’t work. So I’ll read the
dialogue out loud and mirror my characters’ actions. This helps me figure out what doesn’t
work and makes my kids laugh.
white unscented candle I call my focus candle. I light it and breathe, watching the flame
waver. I’m more ADD than a five year old on birthday cake and Coke but I’ve found this to be a
very effective way to quiet my mind and transition from a busy day to writing mode.
What do you do when you feel stuck? Share your tips and tricks in the comments - because I could sure use them!
These are all great ideas, most of which I've used. Nothing embarrassing at all!
ReplyDeleteOne that I would add is a long soak in a warm bubble bath. Some of my best ideas happen in the tub, probably for the same reason as lying in bed. My brain goes to that sweet spot, drifting between consciousness and sleep, freeing my characters to speak their minds.
I've also found it helpful to hold conversations with my characters:
ReplyDelete"So, Niki," I ask my main character, "what's keeping you from hauling off and smacking him one?" Or, "Niki, why are you acting like a petulant two-year old? What's really going on here?"
That kind of conversation can happen in my head or typing at a keyboard.
Annette mentioned bubble bath to which I'd add that a hot shower can also relax and allow ideas to pop!
Genuis ideas all. Taking notes, taking notes, taking notes....
ReplyDeleteShari, these are great. And if you ever want to busy your hands over at my house, there's a LOT of sweeping to do!!
ReplyDeleteWalk the dogs (also useful for practicing dialogue), go to the gym (I close my eyes so I don't have to see five tv screens full of Fox News), weed the garden. Write in circles until the problem becomes clear (usually defining character's motivation, which defines the plot).
ReplyDeleteOh, Annette, how have I never tried this (probably because I like to read in the tub) Stealing!
ReplyDeleteHi Jim, I'd pay cash money to see you chatting with Nikki like that!
I knew you all would have great ideas - thanks! Steal away, Tina!
Hi Carla - LOL! Watch out, I'd love to visit!
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret - these are great! How do you take notes while you're walking the dogs or on the treadmill? Record on your phone? That will be the next blog - capturing those ideas and writing them down before I forget.
ReplyDeleteJim, I also chat with my characters when I'm stuck. (I think I blogged about that earlier this month.)
ReplyDeleteTake a shower! Truly. it works. (it's just very hard to take notes...) Also (and this is easier)-- Ask yourself, what would really happen? Sometimes we get so caught up in the BOOK that we forget it's real life. Real life that we made up, of course, but still, people behave in certain ways, and have their own motivations, sometimes, in the flurry of "writing," we forget them..
ReplyDeleteLOVE your suggestions! Off to find a candle.
Great tips, Shari. Thank you. Jim said to talk to your characters. I recently read one blogger (can't remember who) say he/she interviewed the villain. Most of it wouldn't work it's way into the book, but it gave the blogger a better understanding of the character.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. I often work on something else and let the piece "simmer" for days. When I get back to it, I find I can continue.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the stay in bed option.
ReplyDeleteHi Annette, it's so reassuring to see that I am not alone!
ReplyDeleteHi Hank - oh yes so that's true! It's so easy to forget that it's supposed to be real life, with real people. I hope the candle works for you too!
ReplyDeleteOh, Grace, that's awesome. I do get so wrapped up with my main characters that I forget that the villain thinks he - or she - is the star of the book.
ReplyDeleteHI Warren, I will give that a try. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi KM - I will ALWAYS vote for the stay in bed option ;)
ReplyDeleteI take a nap, a long bath, or simply give up and go read a good book written by someone else.
ReplyDelete