Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Writing Frustrations

You know that moment when you've been writing your first draft and it's been going really well, then suddenly you hit a road block? Yeah that moment. You feel like you're hitting your head against a brick wall over...and over...and over.

What do you do to move past it? Normally I give up writing for a few hours and then come back with a fresh head. Tonight, however, it was frustrating me so much that I dug out the Lindt dark chocolate bunny that I had left over from Easter and polished off a good half of it. Ummm opps.

So, does anyone have any better ways of getting past that mind block? Ways that don't involve chowing down half a chocolate bunny? Because seriously, I don't do enough work at the gym to burn off entire bunnies every week!

Tips please! :D

7 comments:

  1. For me, the best thing is to just walk away for a bit. That doesn't mean I stop thinking about it, though. Often I come up with a solution while I'm away thinking. My sister is a really good person to talk to when I can't figure something out. Usually between the two of us we can solve the problem.

    Hope you get it all sorted out, Samantha!

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    1. Yeah, I feel like I'm spending more time away from my story than with it! But getting space does help, it's just a matter of finding the best way to get over that particular road block....!

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  2. I was just going through this-- no joke. The last two days have been hellish, excuse my language. But then, yesterday, I read one of my favorite author blogs, Maggie Stiefvator, who was talking about storylines, plots, and more. With it, she posted a link to a literay agent's speech about "book mapping," and between the two posts I knew what I had to do. I try not to walk away from a project for more than a day, because my desire to come back to it lessens. That, and new projects push their way to the front of the line.

    My advice, check out your favorite author blogs, they're full of excellent and informative advice... they've all been in this same situation in their career at one time or another.

    Good Luck, and happy writing! :)

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    1. That's a great idea! The book mapping speech sounds really great, i'll have to try and track it down!
      Thanks so much!

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    2. Cheryl Klein talks about creating a "Book Map" towards the end of her speech, but the entire thing is full of great writing and motivational advice. It doesn't hurt that she uses JK Rowling and Harry Potter as her example. :)
      You're VERY welcome. I hope it helps.

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  3. I hate to tell you, but I tend to turn to chocolate too! Honestly, what I've been doing lately is just taking the time to sit there and think, without the pressure of typing anything. If a scene is boring me or just won't take shape, I ask myself what would make it more interesting for me to write (even if it's something crazy). That sounds like a pat answer, but it's amazing how often it works. Like Jaime said, walking away for a bit can help bring clarity. I liked Christine's suggestion about story mapping too. I only recently discovered plot arc diagrams and they've really helped me sort out my current WIP. Hope the writer's block disappears soon!

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    1. Ooh yeah plot arc diagrams are great! I should pull them out again, might help me to get back on track! I feel like i'm always crashing and burning with this WIP! Yikes!

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