[OT] Writer's Block BAAAAD!

[Angcuru]

Does anyone here know a good cure for writer's block? I've been staring at the 2nd page of a Word document(story hour) for the past hour or two trying to get ideas, and I got nothing. HELP!

 

[Umbran]

The routes around a block tend to vary from individual to individual. Most, to my knowledge, suggest that you stop staring at the empty page. Go, do something unrelated for a while, then come back to teh writing and try again.

 

[Angcuru]

The routes around a block tend to vary from individual to individual. Most, to my knowledge, suggest that you stop staring at the empty page. Go, do something unrelated for a while, then come back to teh writing and try again.

It's actually only half empty.

 

[Kevin O'Reilly]

Writers Block

Sounds stupid, but just write.

Pick on aspect of the story and just write. Need an aspect focus on a feature: the height of a character; the color of the blood as it spills on the floor; the way the light scatters into the 12 colors of the tanarri rainbow as the summoning circle opens.

Whatever it is write, don't stop, don't edit; Just ramble.

Most of what you write will be garbage, but it'll help push through the block.

Good luck

 

[apocalypstick]

do three shots of irish whisky (preferably Jameson's). if you're not old enough to drink, dunk your head in a sinkful of ice-cold water. play some punk rock on your stereo loud enough to wake the neighbors. dance around (no one's looking, it's okay).

resume writing.

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

What Kevin said.

If you're blocked on that too, just type the names of the characters or antagonists over and over again (don't copy/paste though). Eventually, you'll get an idea and then, run with it.

Or, if you just had a long day, go to bed and strat anew tomorrow.

Good luck!

Maitre D

 

[Angcuru]

Well, the portion of the story I'm writing currently is a rather calm, peaceful area/time and I'm good on detail but need to get the juices flowing on the dialogue and action aspect of it. When I get into the acutal adventuring aspect, I don't think I'll have any problems. See, I've already got everything laid out for the adventuring part, but I'm pulling stuff out of nowhere to work into that. It's a bit challenging.

 

[Kevin O'Reilly]

Ang

Strong on narrative, but not on action?

What part are you actually trying to write? What is the scene? Maybe we can throw out some ideas to help you get going

 

[jaerdaph]

It's actually only half empty.

When you look at the page as see it as half full, you will be cured grasshopper.

 

[NoOneofConsequence]

Start with questions - my number one writing maxim is "Interrogate the scene".

What does it look like; sound like; taste like; smell like; feel like?

Is there birdsong? What birds? What do they look like? Where do they come from?

What's the light like? Why is it dark/bright? Is the sun the same as always?

Is there always this many people about? Or monsters? How long is it since someone walked this way? Are the trees normal? What kind are they? Are all the buildings made of the same stone?

In short: put yourself in the middle of the scene, as if you're standing right there. Then ask yourself questions, quickfire, and write down any answers that come to mind. Lot's of the answers won't be any good, but write 'em down anyway. Pretty soon you'll find that you've flowed on to the action that you're looking for. After, you can go back and cut out the stuff you think isn't important - or is just infodumping.

I've never seen a block survive this technique for long.