I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me in this case. I often just putter around aimlessly and hope inspiration strikes again when it feels like. It's led to several years between bigger projects.
READ. Especially not in my genre. No comparison traps that way. No insecurity. Just get wowed by the power of story elsewhere and it helps me. Like right now I’m reading southern crime fic. And so enamored by the setting and erupting sadnesses of the MC that she can’t fully contain. So well done.
1) Take a nap, letting my mind wander as I relax
2) Sit on a shower stool and meditate on my story in a hot shower (I don't have a good soaking tub, so next best thing).
3) Go write a short story/flash fiction piece - a change of pace
I’ve learned to embrace being stuck by a) reading; b) taking a class; c) seeing writers read their work aloud. Keeping a schedule helps too #momswritersclub
T: I jump to different part of the story - I've spent much less time being "stuck" since I started writing out of order. I also make endless notes of plot options the more outlandish the better. M: I stop writing and bang my head against the computer. #momswritersclub
I think this totally works differently for different people. But for me I used to get so hung up on how to get from A to B. Writing C (while I'm mulling B) makes me way more efficient. But I think it may work better in mysteries with multiple simultaneous plot threads.
I back up and write in a new direction. It might be a scene or a chapter. I’ve always been able to unstick that way, though I have a particularly nasty block going with a new project. Not sure if I haven’t gone back far enough or if I’m heading in the wrong direction.
Until I started skipping ahead and writing out of order, transitions were what held me up most. I find them much easier once I know what I'm going *to* after the transition.
I go “fill my well” with things that aren’t necessarily directly related to writing. I’ll skim through fashion magazines or go to a museum or watch documentaries and TV/movies. Inevitably something will smack me on the head and my characters will start talking again.
Sometimes, I'll talk out the problem with a friend who writes and figure it out. Sometimes, I just need to take a break from the story for a little while for the flow to come back.
#momswritersclub
I take walks and try to think about other things or do a little research around topics that might trigger an idea. Stepping away for a bit is the best remedy for me.
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2) Sit on a shower stool and meditate on my story in a hot shower (I don't have a good soaking tub, so next best thing).
3) Go write a short story/flash fiction piece - a change of pace
Tracy I’m so bad at skipping around while writing 😭. My brain only functions linearly.
Since I started doing a lot more outlining I don’t get hit as hard with writers block bc I know where I’m suppose to be going.
When the words won’t come, I’ve gotten better with just making a couple of notes and moving on.
I’ll also do some plotting longhand.
#momswritersclub