Scott Hawkins
Hi Julia,
Well, it varies. A lot of times writer's block is your subconscious trying to tell you that you're working on the wrong thing. So I think "go work on something else" is usually the best approach. Sometimes it'll come to you later, sometimes it's just a bad idea to begin with.
I've also found that it's easier to prevent writer's block than cure it. To that end, I try to plan out what I'm going to be working on at least a day in advance. I think it over when I'm lying in bed, or whatever, make little notes... I've found that if I have a good idea what I'm going to be working on that day when I get up in the morning, things tend to go pretty smooth. Otherwise you're kind of rolling the dice.
I also write quite a bit of stuff that I throw away--maybe 2/3 of what I write gets cut for one reason or another. I do multiple versions of most scenes, from different points of view or whatever. Most of them get cut. Knowing that makes it a lot easier to just slap stuff on the page and see what sticks--if I was trying to do final draft level stuff every time I sat down at the keyboard I'd probably freeze up.
If I get stuck in the middle of a scene, a little bit of exercise does seem to help me--nothing ridiculously tiring, just enough to work up a small sweat.
Also, coffee.
Scott
Well, it varies. A lot of times writer's block is your subconscious trying to tell you that you're working on the wrong thing. So I think "go work on something else" is usually the best approach. Sometimes it'll come to you later, sometimes it's just a bad idea to begin with.
I've also found that it's easier to prevent writer's block than cure it. To that end, I try to plan out what I'm going to be working on at least a day in advance. I think it over when I'm lying in bed, or whatever, make little notes... I've found that if I have a good idea what I'm going to be working on that day when I get up in the morning, things tend to go pretty smooth. Otherwise you're kind of rolling the dice.
I also write quite a bit of stuff that I throw away--maybe 2/3 of what I write gets cut for one reason or another. I do multiple versions of most scenes, from different points of view or whatever. Most of them get cut. Knowing that makes it a lot easier to just slap stuff on the page and see what sticks--if I was trying to do final draft level stuff every time I sat down at the keyboard I'd probably freeze up.
If I get stuck in the middle of a scene, a little bit of exercise does seem to help me--nothing ridiculously tiring, just enough to work up a small sweat.
Also, coffee.
Scott
More Answered Questions
Myriah
asked
Scott Hawkins:
I just have to tell you that this book absolutely blew me away. I'm a librarian, so I read a lot of books. To contrast that, I'm a mom of 3 young boys who works full time, so it generally takes me a lot longer than it used to. I could not put your book down. Ignored my husband, ignored the kids, read it while I ate... got through it in one weekend. It is probably one of my all-time favorites in modern literature?
Sam
asked
Scott Hawkins:
Hi Scott, just wanted to say that The Library at Mount Char is the most stimulating, thought-provoking, beautiful book I've read in a very long time. I don't have questions to ask because the ideas were fully-realized and believable, to me at least. Just wanted to say what a great piece of work it is and thank you. ?
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