What
exactly is Writer’s Block? Is it an actual block that prevents ideas… or
something else?
I’ve
come to believe that the so-called ‘Writer’s Block’ exists in large part because
not enough is known about the main or subsidiary characters, the world /
setting in which the action takes place, and even at times, the plot itself.
Here
are also some tactics I use when this dreaded malady strikes:
1)
I interview my
main character(s). You’ll be surprised what comes out of your character’s mouth
when she [I’ll be using the generic ‘she’ to mean both male and female
characters] gets a chance to express her views and finally have a voice.
2)
On a similar
note, I sometimes have the characters interview each other. Another goldmine of
information and backstory.
3)
I put the characters
in a situation that is completely different from what they are accustomed to.
For example, imagine your vampire MC finding herself in prehistoric times,
surrounded by any manner of dinosaurs. Or consider your MC from a fantasy world, suddenly
finding herself wandering the streets of Boston or Manhattan during rush hour.
What will they think? How will they react? Such a
scenario will bring out aspects of your character you never dreamed of and
which you can, ostensibly, incorporate into your story.
What if you put your character in danger? How would
they respond? Not that this scene will necessarily make it into your manuscript,
but it is an additional way I find that adds depth.
4)
Another technique
I sometimes use is to take a paragraph or chapter and change the tense and
voice of the text. For example, if your book is written in past tense, switch
to present tense. If written in first person, then change to third person… and
vice versa.
Initially
Up In The Air was written in third
person, past tense. I had submitted the first two chapters at a SCBWI writing
conference for a paid critique by Alma Fullerton, author of In the Garage (an excellent read), Walking On Glass, among many others. I don’t think she was
impressed; all right, she definitely was not
impressed. When she suggested the voice and tense changes, my initial reaction
was ‘she’s got to be kidding me.’ I had
absolutely NO intention of doing any of that!
Yet
several weeks later I tried her suggestion. It was like night and day. By the end
of the first page I knew I was on to something. The story flowed and took on a
life of its own.
This
does not mean to say that such an extraordinary transformation will happen
all the time or even most of the time. What is achieved, however, is a change of
perspective; a chance to view the story and the characters from a different
angle. And that can open up the mind to ideas, and then some…
Stress!
This
is a huge ‘block’ for me. Stress tends
to hinder my creativity and adds to the pressure and frustration when no ideas
seem to be coming through. Here is what I do to relax: I read a good book.
And
when all else fails, I jog or go to the gym, clean the house (and for those of
you who know me, this is huge!), anything to keep my mind busy on something
else and alleviate the panic of ‘OMG I don’t know what comes next! I’m stuck!’
A
surprising thing then happens. When I am no longer stressing about what the next few scenes, ideas start trickling in.
I
try to view ‘Writer’s Block’ as a way to dig deeper into the characters as well
as the story, by asking questions, and more questions… and more questions.
What
do you do when this ‘dreaded malady’ strikes?
Great post Ann Marie! These are fantastic tips.
ReplyDeleteAs for me when I have writer's block?
I eat chocolate.
No, it doesn't help, but it sure tastes good!
This is really good, Ann Marie. I am going to share this on my FB page.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you liked the post Jennifer and Amie. And chocolate!!! Of course, I forgot about that one :)
ReplyDelete