Just did a video on this as well!🤍 I say just write. Even if it’s random words, eventually something will come. We get “writer’s block” due to wanting things to be perfect as soon as we want/need to write something, lack of ideas/inspiration, nothing new to write about, lack of experience or knowledge on the topic etc. Write about having writers block. You don’t need to write for a specific project each time, try something different. Journal, write a poem, write a letter. So many things and ways to just write✍🏽✨
:58 - There is a LOT of truth to "exercising" as cure to writer's block, but more specifically, I believe, it spurs creativity. I would put showering and long distance driving in that same zone.
Great tips! I've learned a common cause of writer's block is there's something wrong with the story that needs to be fixed. One way I try to prevent writer's block is by outling as much as I can. I've made the mistake that other new writers do, where I have the major plot points but don't know how to get from one point to another. This leads to writing filler that just needs to be cut out. I also deal with writer's block by taking a break and reading 📚 I also deal by working on hobbies that keep me away from screens like sewing 🪡, baking 🧁, cooking👩🍳, and playing a musical instrument 🎼
Most of these tips work wonders! Usually, I will go for a walk or turn on music and clean. For my book, something was missing. Something wasn't connecting the plots and I couldn't figure it out. So, I turned on the music, started cleaning and sang my heart out. Within a short time an idea came to mind. I was an EMT and worked in the ER for almost 10 years. That's when I realized I could bridge the beginning to the rest of the story by creating an ER scene. VOILA! Not sure if I would have realized what was needed if I hadn't taken the time to step away.
I love this! Sometimes switching gears and doing something completely unrelated to writing is all you need to clear your mind and see your story more clearly!
I sometimes come to writer's block when my main character goes in a direction that is inconsistent with their purpose/motivations. I overcome it by going back to where they seem to leave the plot and motivations, and think of where those motivations should take them. Also, I consider my own motivation. Why am I writing? Is it fun? If I'm not enjoying telling the story, my audience will not enjoy reading it, so I try to think of things to make it more fun for me to write.
One of my homeland's most famous authors got writer's block when he was scandalized in the media. He was accused of something he was cleared of long ago and he felt that it went against everything that he had actually done. Later a character in his novels went through a crisis because that she was judged for something that wasn't a part of her identity.
Skipping to the next scene works for me in that situation where the chapter is like pulling teeth. I gain perspective on why the current chapter isn't working, and usually start it over with all the fixes, and this leads to rewriting the next scene as well. For the larger issues of writers-block I just write what I can, when I can. Right now I'm taking care of my mother, who has dementia, and writing can be an escape. But making or finding the time is difficult, and focusing on a novel-length story is a challenge. I've been plugging away at a novel I have no intention of publishing just to keep my skills sharp. I passed the 20-chapter mark, and my laptop died. I was without a computer for almost a month. With a new laptop, and a fresh install of MS Office I'm back in the game. I've been editing those first 20 chapters to refresh my memory to push forward. Writing is writing. Doing it when things are hard pays off in many ways.
I find I write best when an idea just flows in my head, when I'm done with the story for that night, I let ideas come to me, if it keeps nagging me, I sense I want to use the idea, if it's fleeting, I ignore it and focus on enjoying house work other personal pleasures, during that I see ideas come to me to help the story I'm working on. I only seem to get writers block when outside distractions have too much of my attention. When they settle down, I focus on my work again.
The Internet can be a black hole especially the social media. I think for me one of the challenges is facing a tough scene and in turn having troubles figuring out what to do with it. There are times I simply power through and forcing myself not to be judgmental on the first thing I write. Often times I need to turn off the editor brain so the free flow can do its thing. As for the characters, sometimes they take over the story and it goes to a place I wasn't planning on. Sometimes sleeping on it helps with writer's block. Dreams can give new ideas on what to do. Sleep also helps refresh the brain in general.
I have been writing for about 10 years just for fun never had writers block now that im trying to work on a story i hope to publish it's been a little tricky trying to get it right sometimes even when i have the time to write i have to make myself and other days i just start and go all day
Following writers on social media sometimes give a great exchange, they sometimes bring things up that I hadn't even thought of and make me think about writing in a new way. When they share struggles and difficulties it makes me feel less alone in my own.
For me, when my block is really bad, I talk to a friend or family member. I discuss what I am writing and where I am stuck and why I might be stuck. They help me talk through the issue and soon I'm really itching to get back to writing.
#1 is kind of like my method. Instead of exercise, though, I play Solitaure on my computer. If I don't feel up to writing after winning a game, I continue playing. For me, it's not so much that I get blocked. I'll know what I want to say, but I won't be sure how to write it. So I'll go back and forth: writing - cards - writing...
I became pregnant in April and I've discovered that pregnancy has completely sucked away all my motivation and ability to write. It's been so sad because I want to work on my book, but anytime I sit down, my brain becomes foggy and nothing comes out. It's been the worst case of writers block for me in years and I really can't wait until I hit the second trimester and hopefully some of that creative spark returns. Thanks for the tips! I hope they will help.
I can understand how frustrating that must be, but I hope you're going easy on yourself - I'm sure that creative spark will return soon. Wishing you a smooth and healthy pregnancy!
In my experience, 79% of the time writers block is just caused by me being tired or some external distraction like stress or hunger. 20% of the time it's a failure of planning: I was lazy in my outline and so never fleshed out that day's scene properly. The other 1% is anomalous and unknown, although my guess is that it's probably self doubt or depression creeping in.
Treating it like a job is the best (and hardest) one for me. I'll jump through hoops for someone else - work late, work weekends, take on too much... but for myself? It's just dabbling here and there, saying "I'll write more tomorrow," or just not showing up at all. And then wondering why my book is forever unfinished. Treating it like a job, like you're writing for a boss who demands a word count every day. It's hard to make yourself accountable to yourself. But that really is the secret sauce, isn't it?
Hi, Alyssa and friends in common--I hope I am allowed to have a little of your time 🙂. I hope you are all well. I believe I may have mentioned that I was working on a book when I felt it needed a little more depth and that's why I wrote a pre-book. Now, that prequel has developed into three distinct books, all of which come together to form the basis of the beginning of the last book. This is the question I have. I have three or four primary characters in my "main" story that I am creating. Loretta, Brad, and Howie. I originally intended to combine their stories into a single book, but due to the extensive plot, I chose to tell the stories of each character in a separate book. As previously stated, my final story will begin where the three other "character books" conclude. What is your opinion on the inclusion of epilogues and interludes that hint to something the reader isn't yet aware of? How do I handle this successfully to entice the reader to want to know more than what I am revealing at that stage?
I'm greatly amused by the number of writers who say they don't believe in writer's block. "I don't believe in writer's block. Of course I get stuck trying to figure out what to do next, but it's not 'writer's block.'" "I don't believe in writer's block, and here's how I solve it." It's like they think the people who use the term to casually describe the problem actually think it's a hex on their talent, and what they need to do to overcome it is to stop believing in magic. I don't know if I have any good tips for writer's block. Usually I find if I have a vague idea how to continue, even one that's a little bit boring, it will get more interesting (to me) as I start writing it. Meditating on it also seems like a good idea, stasis often spins creative wheels. I liked "ask questions." One of my main writing philosophies is "interrogate everything." And I do mean everything, but "Why do I want to do that?" is probably the most important one. Raymond Chandler said "When in doubt have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand." While I wouldn't be surprised if he meant this 100% literally, I think of this as shifting gears. Recently I was writing a scene that I believed was gearing up toward two characters in a big melee. My interest caved. I had no ideas for a fight scene, and it didn't sound fun or interesting to write. So they argued instead, then one of them (ostensibly) surrendered. So I didn't get stuck, I didn't even carve my way through the dead end, I just saw the sign and went in another direction. "Avoid blocked paths" might not always be the best advice, since painting your characters into a corner is how you'll exercise your best creative problem solving skills as a writer, the distinction is probably that I wasn't walking myself into a trap _with_ the characters. I just deviated before things became needlessly tedious.
Hi I’m writing a novel and I’m stuck because i just wrote a scene and the next scene in my book takes place the next day but I’m having trouble writing a sentence so the reader knows that the characters have gone to bed and it’s the next morning, I’d really appreciate any advice
Is it taboo to talk about having a gentleman's glass of whiskey or, God forbid, taking a puff of the ganj to get in a different writer's mindset, or more accurately, to be the most effective critic you'll ever meet? Sometimes a little liquid courage can help you express otherwise inaccessible emotions in your writing, cannabis will make you re-think your last 30,000 words... be careful with that.
And they're extremely popular in writing circles! I got all my writing advice from Brandon Sanderson, Neal Gaiman, and Stephen King. Men are still popular writers. I actually can't think of a single popular woman writer whose advice I have heard circulated as much as theirs is, except maybe Rowling.
![KAYTRANADA - Witchy (feat. Childish Gambino) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jGK3YVmGZ3Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Honestly the first suggestion was the absolute best.
Just did a video on this as well!🤍 I say just write. Even if it’s random words, eventually something will come. We get “writer’s block” due to wanting things to be perfect as soon as we want/need to write something, lack of ideas/inspiration, nothing new to write about, lack of experience or knowledge on the topic etc. Write about having writers block. You don’t need to write for a specific project each time, try something different. Journal, write a poem, write a letter. So many things and ways to just write✍🏽✨
:58 - There is a LOT of truth to "exercising" as cure to writer's block, but more specifically, I believe, it spurs creativity. I would put showering and long distance driving in that same zone.
I usually play a game or do something else. This has worked well for me. Mostly playing games helps as you are focused on an interactive task.
Your videos are so addicting! I’m not even a writer but your videos make me love the world of writing and publishing!
Great tips! I've learned a common cause of writer's block is there's something wrong with the story that needs to be fixed. One way I try to prevent writer's block is by outling as much as I can. I've made the mistake that other new writers do, where I have the major plot points but don't know how to get from one point to another. This leads to writing filler that just needs to be cut out.
I also deal with writer's block by taking a break and reading 📚 I also deal by working on hobbies that keep me away from screens like sewing 🪡, baking 🧁, cooking👩🍳, and playing a musical instrument 🎼
So many great ideas here! Thanks for sharing!
Most of these tips work wonders! Usually, I will go for a walk or turn on music and clean. For my book, something was missing. Something wasn't connecting the plots and I couldn't figure it out. So, I turned on the music, started cleaning and sang my heart out. Within a short time an idea came to mind. I was an EMT and worked in the ER for almost 10 years. That's when I realized I could bridge the beginning to the rest of the story by creating an ER scene. VOILA! Not sure if I would have realized what was needed if I hadn't taken the time to step away.
I love this! Sometimes switching gears and doing something completely unrelated to writing is all you need to clear your mind and see your story more clearly!
@@AlyssaMatesic Thank you! :)
Great video. I usually change locations. Instead of writing in my office, I will go to Starbucks or somewhere else. It works. 🤗👍❤️
Love this tip - thank you for sharing!
I really resonate with the last point. I've been in a writers group for 4 years. Best decision I ever made
I sometimes come to writer's block when my main character goes in a direction that is inconsistent with their purpose/motivations. I overcome it by going back to where they seem to leave the plot and motivations, and think of where those motivations should take them. Also, I consider my own motivation. Why am I writing? Is it fun? If I'm not enjoying telling the story, my audience will not enjoy reading it, so I try to think of things to make it more fun for me to write.
One of my homeland's most famous authors got writer's block when he was scandalized in the media. He was accused of something he was cleared of long ago and he felt that it went against everything that he had actually done. Later a character in his novels went through a crisis because that she was judged for something that wasn't a part of her identity.
Skipping to the next scene works for me in that situation where the chapter is like pulling teeth. I gain perspective on why the current chapter isn't working, and usually start it over with all the fixes, and this leads to rewriting the next scene as well. For the larger issues of writers-block I just write what I can, when I can. Right now I'm taking care of my mother, who has dementia, and writing can be an escape. But making or finding the time is difficult, and focusing on a novel-length story is a challenge. I've been plugging away at a novel I have no intention of publishing just to keep my skills sharp. I passed the 20-chapter mark, and my laptop died. I was without a computer for almost a month. With a new laptop, and a fresh install of MS Office I'm back in the game. I've been editing those first 20 chapters to refresh my memory to push forward.
Writing is writing. Doing it when things are hard pays off in many ways.
Great tips! 👍I like doing housework or some other task that isn't all that mentally demanding so that my thoughts can wander and recollect themselves.
I find I write best when an idea just flows in my head, when I'm done with the story for that night, I let ideas come to me, if it keeps nagging me, I sense I want to use the idea, if it's fleeting, I ignore it and focus on enjoying house work other personal pleasures, during that I see ideas come to me to help the story I'm working on. I only seem to get writers block when outside distractions have too much of my attention. When they settle down, I focus on my work again.
The Internet can be a black hole especially the social media. I think for me one of the challenges is facing a tough scene and in turn having troubles figuring out what to do with it. There are times I simply power through and forcing myself not to be judgmental on the first thing I write. Often times I need to turn off the editor brain so the free flow can do its thing. As for the characters, sometimes they take over the story and it goes to a place I wasn't planning on.
Sometimes sleeping on it helps with writer's block. Dreams can give new ideas on what to do. Sleep also helps refresh the brain in general.
This is one I’ll keep coming back to!
I have been writing for about 10 years just for fun never had writers block now that im trying to work on a story i hope to publish it's been a little tricky trying to get it right sometimes even when i have the time to write i have to make myself and other days i just start and go all day
Following writers on social media sometimes give a great exchange, they sometimes bring things up that I hadn't even thought of and make me think about writing in a new way. When they share struggles and difficulties it makes me feel less alone in my own.
For me, when my block is really bad, I talk to a friend or family member. I discuss what I am writing and where I am stuck and why I might be stuck. They help me talk through the issue and soon I'm really itching to get back to writing.
I love this - talking it out can be so helpful!
#1 is kind of like my method.
Instead of exercise, though, I play Solitaure on my computer. If I don't feel up to writing after winning a game, I continue playing.
For me, it's not so much that I get blocked. I'll know what I want to say, but I won't be sure how to write it. So I'll go back and forth: writing - cards - writing...
Seems like walking is the most popular cure or part of the cure.
So many authors swear by it!
Can you give me more an information about history of writer's block?
I became pregnant in April and I've discovered that pregnancy has completely sucked away all my motivation and ability to write. It's been so sad because I want to work on my book, but anytime I sit down, my brain becomes foggy and nothing comes out. It's been the worst case of writers block for me in years and I really can't wait until I hit the second trimester and hopefully some of that creative spark returns. Thanks for the tips! I hope they will help.
I can understand how frustrating that must be, but I hope you're going easy on yourself - I'm sure that creative spark will return soon. Wishing you a smooth and healthy pregnancy!
@@AlyssaMatesicThank you Alyssa 🥰
In my experience, 79% of the time writers block is just caused by me being tired or some external distraction like stress or hunger. 20% of the time it's a failure of planning: I was lazy in my outline and so never fleshed out that day's scene properly. The other 1% is anomalous and unknown, although my guess is that it's probably self doubt or depression creeping in.
Treating it like a job is the best (and hardest) one for me. I'll jump through hoops for someone else - work late, work weekends, take on too much... but for myself? It's just dabbling here and there, saying "I'll write more tomorrow," or just not showing up at all. And then wondering why my book is forever unfinished. Treating it like a job, like you're writing for a boss who demands a word count every day. It's hard to make yourself accountable to yourself. But that really is the secret sauce, isn't it?
This is so important - I do think that so much of it comes down to continually showing up and having the discipline to keep writing!
I have the opposite of writer’s block. I can’t put it down. 😢
Hi, Alyssa and friends in common--I hope I am allowed to have a little of your time 🙂. I hope you are all well. I believe I may have mentioned that I was working on a book when I felt it needed a little more depth and that's why I wrote a pre-book. Now, that prequel has developed into three distinct books, all of which come together to form the basis of the beginning of the last book. This is the question I have. I have three or four primary characters in my "main" story that I am creating. Loretta, Brad, and Howie. I originally intended to combine their stories into a single book, but due to the extensive plot, I chose to tell the stories of each character in a separate book. As previously stated, my final story will begin where the three other "character books" conclude. What is your opinion on the inclusion of epilogues and interludes that hint to something the reader isn't yet aware of? How do I handle this successfully to entice the reader to want to know more than what I am revealing at that stage?
I'm greatly amused by the number of writers who say they don't believe in writer's block.
"I don't believe in writer's block. Of course I get stuck trying to figure out what to do next, but it's not 'writer's block.'"
"I don't believe in writer's block, and here's how I solve it."
It's like they think the people who use the term to casually describe the problem actually think it's a hex on their talent, and what they need to do to overcome it is to stop believing in magic.
I don't know if I have any good tips for writer's block. Usually I find if I have a vague idea how to continue, even one that's a little bit boring, it will get more interesting (to me) as I start writing it. Meditating on it also seems like a good idea, stasis often spins creative wheels. I liked "ask questions." One of my main writing philosophies is "interrogate everything." And I do mean everything, but "Why do I want to do that?" is probably the most important one.
Raymond Chandler said "When in doubt have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand." While I wouldn't be surprised if he meant this 100% literally, I think of this as shifting gears. Recently I was writing a scene that I believed was gearing up toward two characters in a big melee. My interest caved. I had no ideas for a fight scene, and it didn't sound fun or interesting to write. So they argued instead, then one of them (ostensibly) surrendered. So I didn't get stuck, I didn't even carve my way through the dead end, I just saw the sign and went in another direction.
"Avoid blocked paths" might not always be the best advice, since painting your characters into a corner is how you'll exercise your best creative problem solving skills as a writer, the distinction is probably that I wasn't walking myself into a trap _with_ the characters. I just deviated before things became needlessly tedious.
Hi five ✋️👍
History of writer's block?
Hi I’m writing a novel and I’m stuck because i just wrote a scene and the next scene in my book takes place the next day but I’m having trouble writing a sentence so the reader knows that the characters have gone to bed and it’s the next morning, I’d really appreciate any advice
is it still called writers bock when you are too exhousted from editing to continue writing the next book?
Is it taboo to talk about having a gentleman's glass of whiskey or, God forbid, taking a puff of the ganj to get in a different writer's mindset, or more accurately, to be the most effective critic you'll ever meet? Sometimes a little liquid courage can help you express otherwise inaccessible emotions in your writing, cannabis will make you re-think your last 30,000 words... be careful with that.
One of the only changes weed makes to my behavior is I become decisive. I'd do it all the time if it didn't also make me exhausted.
I love these videos but I'm a bit disappointed that all seven writers profiled are women. There are still a few guys left who write stuff.
And they're extremely popular in writing circles! I got all my writing advice from Brandon Sanderson, Neal Gaiman, and Stephen King. Men are still popular writers. I actually can't think of a single popular woman writer whose advice I have heard circulated as much as theirs is, except maybe Rowling.