Ask the Author: Michael Blatherwick
Answered Questions (1)
Michael Blatherwick
I don't encounter "writer's block" in terms of staring at a page and holding my hands over the keyboard without any thought of what to do next. Often I find too many ideas, or, a more common and undiagnosed version of writer's block, "what do I do NEXT to connect the dots?"
I have a vivid imagination and often put my characters into situations in my mind that are outside of the story to see how they react. It can be being stuck in the line at a drive thru and their car breaks down, being mugged on a street corner, or receiving an unsolicited letter from an old flame. What would they say? What would they do? In walking through these scenarios, I often find an idea for a new conflict, or resolution.
Specifically, in my sequel to Photograph and the Atomic Juggernaut, I had the "team" sit in a circle for a therapy session, backs to each other, and discuss their biggest pet peeves about someone on the team. I was able to realize new conflict dynamics and how to position two characters to work through an upcoming conflict in a way that will push the plot forward.
If you have no idea where to start and still face the blank page, write about ANYTHING to just keep the juices of your mind flowing. Write about a bad day in elementary school, or your favorite car you've owned. Write a letter to someone you think needs to hear some straight talk (don't send it!). JUST WRITE.
I have a vivid imagination and often put my characters into situations in my mind that are outside of the story to see how they react. It can be being stuck in the line at a drive thru and their car breaks down, being mugged on a street corner, or receiving an unsolicited letter from an old flame. What would they say? What would they do? In walking through these scenarios, I often find an idea for a new conflict, or resolution.
Specifically, in my sequel to Photograph and the Atomic Juggernaut, I had the "team" sit in a circle for a therapy session, backs to each other, and discuss their biggest pet peeves about someone on the team. I was able to realize new conflict dynamics and how to position two characters to work through an upcoming conflict in a way that will push the plot forward.
If you have no idea where to start and still face the blank page, write about ANYTHING to just keep the juices of your mind flowing. Write about a bad day in elementary school, or your favorite car you've owned. Write a letter to someone you think needs to hear some straight talk (don't send it!). JUST WRITE.
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