Cintia
asked
Karen Witemeyer:
Hi! I'd love to read your books but I wasn't able so far, because they are not sold in my country. I just wanted to ask, how do you handle writer's block? From an aspiring writer who suffers a serious case of blocking...
Karen Witemeyer
Hi, Cintia.
I have found that if I have a firm grasp on the major story elements before I start writing - who the heroine and hero are, what are their goals and motivations, what are the major conflicts they will have to work through, and what are the 3 or so major plot points that will propel the action of my story forward - that I seldom hit true writer's block. I write up a synopsis ahead of time, brainstorming and thinking through the major elements of my novel. Then once everything makes logical sense in my mind (and I get my editor's approval), I start writing. Having this road map keeps me on track and moving forward. I still have the freedom to change things up or take little side trips, but for the most part, I follow the original path. If I don't put in that work at the beginning, I find it is much easier for me to get derailed and stuck in the middle of a manuscript.
Sometimes it's helpful to ask friends to help you brainstorm, too. I recently did a blog post where I asked readers to help me brainstorm my next novella. I got a bunch of wonderful ideas and plan to use several of them in my next project. I'll be dedicating that novella to all the fabulous blog readers who helped get my creative juices flowing.
I have found that if I have a firm grasp on the major story elements before I start writing - who the heroine and hero are, what are their goals and motivations, what are the major conflicts they will have to work through, and what are the 3 or so major plot points that will propel the action of my story forward - that I seldom hit true writer's block. I write up a synopsis ahead of time, brainstorming and thinking through the major elements of my novel. Then once everything makes logical sense in my mind (and I get my editor's approval), I start writing. Having this road map keeps me on track and moving forward. I still have the freedom to change things up or take little side trips, but for the most part, I follow the original path. If I don't put in that work at the beginning, I find it is much easier for me to get derailed and stuck in the middle of a manuscript.
Sometimes it's helpful to ask friends to help you brainstorm, too. I recently did a blog post where I asked readers to help me brainstorm my next novella. I got a bunch of wonderful ideas and plan to use several of them in my next project. I'll be dedicating that novella to all the fabulous blog readers who helped get my creative juices flowing.
More Answered Questions
Suzette Potts
asked
Karen Witemeyer:
I am a retired English teacher who has spent my first year of retirement reading books I want to read. I have 12 paperback books by Witemeyer, but there are 7 that I cannot find except on Kindle. I have tried Thrift books, Amazon, and Abe Books. Are there any other places that might have your books in paperback?
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