Ask the Author: James Mansfield
Answered Questions (2)
James Mansfield
I am currently working on the sequel in the main storyline of Ivory Chronicles, and I also have a book from my expanded universe on the back burner awaiting cover art and input.
James Mansfield
Writer's block can occur through several different means. Sometimes, it occurs when you leave a work in progress and come back to it and your train of thought has melted away like snow on a warm, sunny day. Sometimes, it happens when you can't imagine what's supposed to happen next. When I get writer's block, I often imagine my character frozen stiff, and their eyes looking out past the fourth wall, begging me to put something on the page so they can get on with their lives.
Whatever the cause is, my solution tends to be the same. I take a step back and just daydream about my characters. I think about what they want out of life. I think about what their next rational move would be. I think about other characters that may be feeling left out of the story and want/need more inclusion. I think about what they must be feeling about the situation that they're in. Usually, letting my mind wander about my characters will unlock the next piece to the puzzle. If worse comes to worse, I'll try something, and if I get a few sentences (or paragraphs!) in and I don't like it, I'll scrap it and daydream some more. Always trust yourself to know what's right for your story and what's not.
Whatever the cause is, my solution tends to be the same. I take a step back and just daydream about my characters. I think about what they want out of life. I think about what their next rational move would be. I think about other characters that may be feeling left out of the story and want/need more inclusion. I think about what they must be feeling about the situation that they're in. Usually, letting my mind wander about my characters will unlock the next piece to the puzzle. If worse comes to worse, I'll try something, and if I get a few sentences (or paragraphs!) in and I don't like it, I'll scrap it and daydream some more. Always trust yourself to know what's right for your story and what's not.
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