RiseUp! discussion

We've all had it a time or two. What are some things you do when blocked?

Mojoboy31 wrote: "We've all had it a time or two. What are some things you do when blocked?"
Thankfully, I haven't gotten it often these days, but when I do I stop for a minute and think. What does the story have and what does it need in order to keep going from point A to point B. Listening to music during that pondering can be further motivation.

Anybody got something different? I'd be very interested to know about different methods.

Well, there are a few things you can do. "freewrite" into a new file, just typing every thought in your head, training your fingers to listen to your mind, without focusing your mind on anything in particular.

Take a walk, read something, exercise some, stretch out, breathe, switch up the music.

There's bajillions of methods:
Switching the music can be key... or shutting off the music, depending...

Taking walks/doing something that involves movement. Somehow makes my mind start working differently. Driving also helps, sometimes.

Or, you know... just writing. Sometimes I can't break through unless I actually force myself to start writing.

Discuss where the story is at with a writing buddy.

Draw/expanding maps. Really, this helps immensely.

Interview or write letters to your characters.

Write "process notes," or rather, write notes on where you're at with the story, what you think needs to happen, questions to answer, etc.

Change where you're sitting. Really. This can really change things.

Don't look at the computer while you type (only if you have a "feel" for your keyboard, though). Look out the window, at a poster, into nothingness...

I just stop and wait until I feel the desire again.

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "I just stop and wait until I feel the desire again."

I used to do that, but then I found myself completely blocked for... a long time. I think it was a year or two. I can't remember.

Yea. I don't really have time anymore anyways...

I don't generally have a lot of time, but it's... addictive.

Yea. I have to be in the right mood for certain types of writings.

Jennifer wrote: "There's bajillions of methods:
Switching the music can be key... or shutting off the music, depending...

Taking walks/doing something that involves movement. Somehow makes my mind start working di..."
Writing to your characters sounds like an interesting idea. :)

It's fun.... You can really get to "know" them that way...

Jennifer wrote: "It's fun.... You can really get to "know" them that way..."
I bet. Writer's block, for me at least, can also depend on the kind of project. If I'm not careful it can completely kill a project. But that has only happened about two maybe three times in a period of six years.

How about when you get speaking block? You know, like when you don't know what you should say or if anything at all for that matter?

@Paigetwo: go with your gut! And don't second guess yourself.

@Jennifer: Yes to all those things! Especially talking it over with a writing buddy.

Dropping it until I feel the urge to go back to it, usually means I'm done with that project, and I'll be starting another soon. I don't know why, but once dropped, I find them hard to pick back up, so that is my last resort.

Grab a snack, something crunchy, salty or sweet; reward yourself for having good ideas, letting yourself get giddy and excited when you have good ideas. Or just when you get a particular part done. Let yourself bask in the glory, so to speak.

@ Mojo: Hm.. smart answer...

Mojoboy31 wrote: "@Paigetwo: go with your gut! And don't second guess yourself.

@Jennifer: Yes to all those things! Especially talking it over with a writing buddy.

Dropping it until I feel the urge to go back to ..." Snacks huh? That's another I haven't tried yet. Might work. Maybe next time I have a major writing accomplishment I'll treat myself to a MASSIVE bag of chex mix. I LOVE chex mix :)

Nice!

Lol chex mix! When it comes to that method I go for Cheez-its.

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "Lol chex mix! When it comes to that method I go for Cheez-its."

Also nice.

My go-to would be something chocolate.

And chocolate, yea. To get into my AP Global class I needed to write an essay so I got all serious and literally stopped in the middle of my first sentence, got dressed, went to the store, bought some M&M's, and then started writing the rest of the essay, lol...

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "And chocolate, yea. To get into my AP Global class I needed to write an essay so I got all serious and literally stopped in the middle of my first sentence, got dressed, went to the store, bought s..."

lol, NICE!

Yea I needed something to help me think.

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "And chocolate, yea. To get into my AP Global class I needed to write an essay so I got all serious and literally stopped in the middle of my first sentence, got dressed, went to the store, bought s..."

Haha...were you as determined to write your essay as you were to get your chocolate? ;P

Princess Dee wrote: "Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "And chocolate, yea. To get into my AP Global class I needed to write an essay so I got all serious and literally stopped in the middle of my first sentence, got dressed, ..."

Ohhhhh, good question...

Princess Dee wrote: "Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "And chocolate, yea. To get into my AP Global class I needed to write an essay so I got all serious and literally stopped in the middle of my first sentence, got dressed, ..."

Haha.... Well, I got into the class so who cares? ;P

HAH!

Lol!

And I've got 23 days to write a new essay to get into AP US next year. Gotta get me some M&M's. Lol, jk.

Hey, if they help...

Maybe. I don't know yet. I've got time.

Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "Maybe. I don't know yet. I've got time."

Procrastination is bad... lol

Paigetwo- I took AP US History as a sophomore. It was a junior course... I loved it.

Mojoboy31 wrote: "Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "Maybe. I don't know yet. I've got time."

Procrastination is bad... lol"
Its definitely one of my issues with certain things. I'll do it this afternoon becomes I'll do it tonight, and I'll do it tonight becomes I'll do this in the morning. Sometimes I run out of time and it bites me, but I'm getting better. :)

I hear you, EJ.

I had a million plans for this morning. I don't feel like I've accomplished much today. lol.

For me, it isn't the "I'll do it later" that gets me. It's the "Oh, I've got time", or "I *should* really get that done." is where I have trouble.

Mojoboy31 wrote: "For me, it isn't the "I'll do it later" that gets me. It's the "Oh, I've got time", or "I *should* really get that done." is where I have trouble."
Yeah...
For me, it's, "Oh, I'll just finish this, then..." and hours later...

Jennifer wrote: "Mojoboy31 wrote: "For me, it isn't the "I'll do it later" that gets me. It's the "Oh, I've got time", or "I *should* really get that done." is where I have trouble."
Yeah...
For me, it's, "Oh, I'll..."

Oh, yeah, that one too.

Mojoboy31 wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Mojoboy31 wrote: "For me, it isn't the "I'll do it later" that gets me. It's the "Oh, I've got time", or "I *should* really get that done." is where I have trouble."
Yeah...
For me..."
Yeah, getting rid of it can take a lot of discipline. :) I'm still working on it. :)

Mojoboy31 wrote: "Paigetwo *Caitlyn* wrote: "Maybe. I don't know yet. I've got time."

Procrastination is bad... lol"

Yep I know *shrugs*

Mojoboy31 wrote: "For me, it isn't the "I'll do it later" that gets me. It's the "Oh, I've got time", or "I *should* really get that done." is where I have trouble."

Same

Jennifer wrote: "Paigetwo- I took AP US History as a sophomore. It was a junior course... I loved it."

Yea they wouldn't allow you to have any AP history classes as a freshman so it goes from sophomore AP Global to junior AP US. I think I'd like the AP US better.