We all eventually end up there. Staring blankly at the computer screen as tension rises up inside of you. You are stuck. Don't worry, whether it takes a day or a week you will find your solution. But just in case, here are a few helpful methods you keep you moving forward. First take a small break, grab a snack and let your mind settle. Everything is easier when you're relaxed. Now place you're setting in your mind. Focus on your characters mood and motive. What do they want? What problem are they fighting? Where do they want to be next? Still no flash of intuition? Perhaps you're dead-end is because of a direction or decision your character has made. Consider changing a direction or choice made earlier in the story. This will not only help you move through your current block, but present more choices for your character to act on, one that will offer you more exciting circumstance. Lastly, and more often my preferred method, is to let it bake Allow your subconscious to work its way through the scene. Let the ideas cook down inside of you until only the broth remains. If you are truly a writer you never stop thinking about your work. It may take days, but let that insanity work for you. Trust instinct and allow the process to work within you. If all else fails don't panic you're not cursed or incompetent You just need to let the work breathe. A tired mind seldom fines epiphany. Sometimes you have to stop looking and return with fresh eyes. Look at it again a week later without all the stress and preconception. Look at it as if you've never seen it before. The magic light bulb will find you. After a month away you will see it in a dozen new ways.
Don't worry, whether it takes a day or a week you will find your solution. But just in case, here are a few helpful methods you keep you moving forward.
First take a small break, grab a snack and let your mind settle. Everything is easier when you're relaxed. Now place you're setting in your mind. Focus on your characters mood and motive. What do they want? What problem are they fighting? Where do they want to be next? Still no flash of intuition?
Perhaps you're dead-end is because of a direction or decision your character has made. Consider changing a direction or choice made earlier in the story. This will not only help you move through your current block, but present more choices for your character to act on, one that will offer you more exciting circumstance.
Lastly, and more often my preferred method, is to let it bake Allow your subconscious to work its way through the scene. Let the ideas cook down inside of you until only the broth remains. If you are truly a writer you never stop thinking about your work. It may take days, but let that insanity work for you. Trust instinct and allow the process to work within you.
If all else fails don't panic you're not cursed or incompetent You just need to let the work breathe. A tired mind seldom fines epiphany. Sometimes you have to stop looking and return with fresh eyes. Look at it again a week later without all the stress and preconception. Look at it as if you've never seen it before. The magic light bulb will find you. After a month away you will see it in a dozen new ways.
Get to writing!
Steven Lost