A reader to one of my blogs asked me several questions about writing which, when narrow down seem to be about how to combat writers block. I responded to this reader’s question, both from the perspective of nonfiction as well as fiction. I hope the following advice can be of use.
When I wrote: I know you think this is a toaster; that book was written in two-page segments. And often, I would write a particular object lesson in one writing session and another on a separate day. There were also times I would write the entire two pages in one session. If I was not engage in that book, I would devote my time to another writing project that may nab my interest.
I’ve heard a number of professional authors say just sit there for the 15 min and think about the story until you start to write. Others have suggested reading a page that you’ve already written and that can often jump start you for the next page. Different people have different solutions.
Writing what I am emotionally engaged in might also be used for fiction. I know a number of authors who will write some of their favorite scenes first in a book and then will create the bridgework later.
The biggest thing that can influence your success in writing beyond the first 15 minutes is to plot out or outline your story or book. Usually when I have writer’s block is because I don’t know what my story is going. I find that I have much stronger success when I know what the next scene is going to be, or I know what the next chapter is gonna be and I want to get to that next section of the book. Having an overall concept of your story can create some wonderful excitement to what is happening in your manuscript. You know what’s going to happen, so you can prepare the foreshadowing, the sensory details as well as build the emotion of the upcoming scene plus the character’s motivation.
To center myself I have found what time of day and what environment I work best in. I then try to cater to that environment. Also, my chosen material is content that I am emotionally engaged in at the time. These various techniques have often been very successful for many writers in overcoming the nefarious writers block.
