Top 10 Tips for Writer's Block

I have found that if I can not write something in one of my stories, I leave it alone for a day or two, come back and I have an idea. It is called "fresh eyes." Of course you may not agree with that if you have a deadline, but you may end up spending a day or two staring at the screen trying to figure out an idea anyway.

Many of my book ideas come from reading other books. If you have an idea for your writing that came out of a book or article, pick up that book again or any other books that match the same idea. You may be re-inspired or even catch new ideas that you never thought of. Just be sure that you are not just copying the author's writing, because then, well, that would be illegal and not a good way to start a book.

Call up your friend or mom and bounce ideas off of them. They may have no idea what you are writing about, but just talking about your story and explaining it may open your eyes to some things. Joining a writer's group is another great way to be able to bounce ideas off or at least talk about it with people who actually know about writing. Maybe they could even give you that award winning idea. (hint: Check out my lens on how to start a writing group in my profile at the bottom of this lens)

This only really works if you are not having writer's block in the beginning. Going back and rereading all the stuff you have already written may re-inspire you again or remind you of something that you forgot to explain. I did this with one of my stories and wrote another part about a ring that I had forgotten to describe. Even if it is just a small thing it will at least keep your writing moving. Or it could be a major mystery that remains unsolved that you need to write about. Whatever it is it will get you writing again.

Staring at a computer screen or even just a piece of paper can really got your eyes tired and make you too depressed to write anything. Just getting up and walking around or getting some coffee will help your eyes and get or mind re-focused again. You could also get a snack or take a quick walk outside if you want to to really get the juices flowing. Even just walking to the other side of your house and back could be helpful to you.

Lean back, close your eyes and imagine the scene or part of your writing that you are trying to overcome. Maybe you are trying to write a romance scene but you have no idea how your main character should approach the other person about dinner. Try to imagine that you are in that place and you are hearing them talk but you can control the things they say and replay the scene to try again. Try this until you find something that works and then write it. If you are doing a non-fiction piece, do the same thing except try to imagine a possible reader reading you book. Once they hit the part that you are having trouble on, what do you want them to read or learn? What do you think that THEY would want to read or learn from this part? Do various variations and then write it down.

If you are having a rough time with a part, move on to another part. Yes, you will have to come back later but at least you will not be sitting around not writing. If this is an important scene and you feel that you can not move on, go back and edit your previous writing. Even if it is just grammar check it will get your mind focusing on your writing but not on that hard part. If you are at the beginning of the story you can just write ideas for parts of your story to get them down or work on your outline.

If you are like many writers, you have probably already made your outline but looking at it again or tweaking it can spark your creativity again. I once went back to my writing and reviewed some of the things that I still needed to write about and began to work towards them. It got me over this hump and made me take several of the big steps I needed to take in moving the plot along.

In one of the parts of my book I had to plan a wedding set back in 1874 for a maid whose family was not in poverty, but definitely not wealthy. I love weddings but I had no idea if there was anything special that I needed to do. So I just randomly began to plan a wedding. It all worked out great in the end and I had fun planning an imaginary wedding.

Maybe you are stuck on a part that you need to have an event happen or you need to write about how to make something or do this certain thing. Well, start planning it. You may never have even a quarter of the stuff you plan on paper but it will get you thinking on this scene and eventually move past the block. If you are writing non-fiction, you can still plan things. If you have a part on how to start a garden making club, start working out every single possible step or question that you may need. Or just plan something that happened before the book setting and just have fun. I love planning things so this is one of my favorite steps.

I know, I know, this is the number one tip for writer's block, but it works! Sitting down and writing something can really get the juices pumping and get you ready to move on. One of the best products that I know of that can really get you writing is The Writer's Toolbox. Several games and a booklet on writer's block is all in a small box, perfect for getting past Writer's Block or just to have fun.

I hope that these tips will help you, and please let me know if you have other tips that you would add to the list.

Until I write again,

Li Li