Leslie’s answer to “How do you deal with writer’s block?” > Likes and Comments
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Props to you Leslie! I am the same way .... I have more ideas to write about, than I have the time to write about! :)
Nice! So many writers complain about this. I have other issues, but this is not one of them! : )
I too, never suffer writer’s block, and have found myself afraid to admit it in writing circles. It’s seems almost sacrilegious to say, lol.
Hey, Esosa. I know! For the longest time (I've been writing for over 20 years) I was afraid to share because so many other writers really do deal with crippling writer's block. I definitely do not make light of it. I just feel lucky! And the older I get, I become more aware of time slipping away. So I want to make every writing second count!
Boo! You lucky guys aren't helping. ;>
Remember...every writer has a different journey, just like any artist. So just write when you can and write what you want. It's your sandbox, so you get to make the rules! But if you suffer from block halfway through a writing project, take a look at the beginning chapters. Oftentimes we find that by starting the book with a later chapter or taking out chapters altogether is key. For more generalized block, all I can suggest is take a walk, paint woodwork, or do something that is by rote. This can clear the mind and open it to new ideas. : )
You don't have to plod through in order? I know that going back to edit what you have is common advice but piecing stories together out of order is a revelation!
I obviously do not think like a film director, who I hear shoots out of season, actor, and other availability. So this is possibly key advice that was missing for me! It is true that we can know how parts of our novel will go. I guess we can put separate groups of puzzle pieces together, for later joining! Eureka!
You're so funny. I'm sure your sense of humor comes out in your writing!! Yes, you can write out of order, or with a structured outline. Every writer is different. I mean, totally. I have a friend who only writes in chunks and then pieces them together. Another novelist friend actually handwrites her entire book before putting it into a computer word doc. For me, I usually have a main character who pops into my head and refuses to leave, and once I start to listen, he or she starts feeding me the story. Once I have a beginning, and ending and a few crucial scenes in my head, and usually a title, then I begin writing. My books are all research heavy, so that takes a lot of time. Some writers write plot forward. Others theme forward. Still others don't know where the book will go until they write it. So don't invest too much time thinking about how others do it. You will have your own way, and if you don't yet, give it time. If you are meant to write, and you open yourself to it, it will come, in whatever way it needs to. It's all an adventure!
I was honestly serious. I am a lifelong writer but a rookie at disciplined fiction creation! But thank you for any and all praise. :) And I am not joking that this is a revelation, to not force myself to build the story in order.
Snippets here & there is going to be amazingly helpful to me; I feel it clicking for me the instant I read that. I know and agree we all have to have our own methods, contrary to some beliefs.
As for characters feeding their story, giving myself permission to make everything up is my problem, whereas I think I excel at editing; the hard part for other people. But I have recently come across the topic of whether or not it is avoiding the hard work, to take stories from your dreams. After all, we are'nt controlling them. It sounds like stories supplied that way are valid as our original work as well. I suspect I have made it harder than it need be, Leslie.
Worrying about getting architecture and family member time periods exactly right, when I am not even writing historical fiction, stopped me a lot. I thought about what I prefer as a reader: do I care that a story rivets me, or do I notice or care if every brick is historically or presently accurate? A relatable, well told story we can picture, I say. :)
It's wonderful when something clicks! A long time ago, my agent told me to stop telling and start showing. And I was like, wha??? Then one day it clicked. And now I check my writing all the time to make sure I am showing, not telling. It's like algebra. You don't get it, until you do! LOL As far as historical accuracy in all writing, just tell the story, and then mark the parts that either need more research or updated research. I put in place holders all the time in bold type: ADD MORE HERE. And then I keep going. That way it doesn't break up my thoughts. Consistency is key. So just write. Who cares what it looks like. Just do it. Don't allow necessary research to stop you. That said, it does help some writers to create an actual timeline. I have a book that my agent is shopping and it takes place over 15 years. I had to be so careful about age and what grade the main character was in, and so on. So for the two years it took to write the book, I made a timeline out of index cards and put them up on a large bulletin board. It helped a lot. But out of 17 books, that's the only time. Why some methods work for some books and not for others is beyond me. The more I write, the less I know. ; )
Fortunately, I am going in with the well known "show, don't tell" nuggets. I love that you and a few authors give angles of insight I have never heard. I want you to know I am copying & pasting all of this into a textpad document, for future encouragement and guidance.
I love present day fiction because we should still have fun and adventure now but I did an extensive outline of characters' ancestors. Names, birth years.... to ensure they work out logically, should I refer to them (or their spirits appear). Mwahaha....
Yes, researching nitpick details on my dial-up internet slowed me down so much I have stopped: for years. I have grown at least in review-writing and expect to rewrite what I had.
I will take this advice to let the new story open up, in any order, haha. I will put "ADD MORE HERE" in fond thought of you where future research is needed. I sensed that I should not let it stop my groove. This is gold and I thank you. Your friend, Carolyn.
I still take advice as well when it suits my needs. Glad this thread has helped you!! ADD MORE HERE. Maybe I'll have that chiseled on my tombstone one day. LOL
Leslie
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Timothy
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Apr 11, 2020 06:32PM
Props to you Leslie! I am the same way .... I have more ideas to write about, than I have the time to write about! :)
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Nice! So many writers complain about this. I have other issues, but this is not one of them! : )
I too, never suffer writer’s block, and have found myself afraid to admit it in writing circles. It’s seems almost sacrilegious to say, lol.
Hey, Esosa. I know! For the longest time (I've been writing for over 20 years) I was afraid to share because so many other writers really do deal with crippling writer's block. I definitely do not make light of it. I just feel lucky! And the older I get, I become more aware of time slipping away. So I want to make every writing second count!
Boo! You lucky guys aren't helping. ;>
Remember...every writer has a different journey, just like any artist. So just write when you can and write what you want. It's your sandbox, so you get to make the rules! But if you suffer from block halfway through a writing project, take a look at the beginning chapters. Oftentimes we find that by starting the book with a later chapter or taking out chapters altogether is key. For more generalized block, all I can suggest is take a walk, paint woodwork, or do something that is by rote. This can clear the mind and open it to new ideas. : )
You don't have to plod through in order? I know that going back to edit what you have is common advice but piecing stories together out of order is a revelation!I obviously do not think like a film director, who I hear shoots out of season, actor, and other availability. So this is possibly key advice that was missing for me! It is true that we can know how parts of our novel will go. I guess we can put separate groups of puzzle pieces together, for later joining! Eureka!
You're so funny. I'm sure your sense of humor comes out in your writing!! Yes, you can write out of order, or with a structured outline. Every writer is different. I mean, totally. I have a friend who only writes in chunks and then pieces them together. Another novelist friend actually handwrites her entire book before putting it into a computer word doc. For me, I usually have a main character who pops into my head and refuses to leave, and once I start to listen, he or she starts feeding me the story. Once I have a beginning, and ending and a few crucial scenes in my head, and usually a title, then I begin writing. My books are all research heavy, so that takes a lot of time. Some writers write plot forward. Others theme forward. Still others don't know where the book will go until they write it. So don't invest too much time thinking about how others do it. You will have your own way, and if you don't yet, give it time. If you are meant to write, and you open yourself to it, it will come, in whatever way it needs to. It's all an adventure!
I was honestly serious. I am a lifelong writer but a rookie at disciplined fiction creation! But thank you for any and all praise. :) And I am not joking that this is a revelation, to not force myself to build the story in order.Snippets here & there is going to be amazingly helpful to me; I feel it clicking for me the instant I read that. I know and agree we all have to have our own methods, contrary to some beliefs.
As for characters feeding their story, giving myself permission to make everything up is my problem, whereas I think I excel at editing; the hard part for other people. But I have recently come across the topic of whether or not it is avoiding the hard work, to take stories from your dreams. After all, we are'nt controlling them. It sounds like stories supplied that way are valid as our original work as well. I suspect I have made it harder than it need be, Leslie.
Worrying about getting architecture and family member time periods exactly right, when I am not even writing historical fiction, stopped me a lot. I thought about what I prefer as a reader: do I care that a story rivets me, or do I notice or care if every brick is historically or presently accurate? A relatable, well told story we can picture, I say. :)
It's wonderful when something clicks! A long time ago, my agent told me to stop telling and start showing. And I was like, wha??? Then one day it clicked. And now I check my writing all the time to make sure I am showing, not telling. It's like algebra. You don't get it, until you do! LOL As far as historical accuracy in all writing, just tell the story, and then mark the parts that either need more research or updated research. I put in place holders all the time in bold type: ADD MORE HERE. And then I keep going. That way it doesn't break up my thoughts. Consistency is key. So just write. Who cares what it looks like. Just do it. Don't allow necessary research to stop you. That said, it does help some writers to create an actual timeline. I have a book that my agent is shopping and it takes place over 15 years. I had to be so careful about age and what grade the main character was in, and so on. So for the two years it took to write the book, I made a timeline out of index cards and put them up on a large bulletin board. It helped a lot. But out of 17 books, that's the only time. Why some methods work for some books and not for others is beyond me. The more I write, the less I know. ; )
Fortunately, I am going in with the well known "show, don't tell" nuggets. I love that you and a few authors give angles of insight I have never heard. I want you to know I am copying & pasting all of this into a textpad document, for future encouragement and guidance.I love present day fiction because we should still have fun and adventure now but I did an extensive outline of characters' ancestors. Names, birth years.... to ensure they work out logically, should I refer to them (or their spirits appear). Mwahaha....
Yes, researching nitpick details on my dial-up internet slowed me down so much I have stopped: for years. I have grown at least in review-writing and expect to rewrite what I had.
I will take this advice to let the new story open up, in any order, haha. I will put "ADD MORE HERE" in fond thought of you where future research is needed. I sensed that I should not let it stop my groove. This is gold and I thank you. Your friend, Carolyn.
I still take advice as well when it suits my needs. Glad this thread has helped you!! ADD MORE HERE. Maybe I'll have that chiseled on my tombstone one day. LOLLeslie
