Tuesday writing tips: Writer's block.

We've all faced it at one point or another, right?  Here are some tactics I use to get through it.

Take a small notebook everywhere you go.
When something pops into your head about your WIP, write it down.  It may help move things along later.


Do something that give you clarity.
Mine is taking a walk.  I always end up writing something in my head while walking and it almost always offers me some clarity.

Write a different section of your WIP.
I've done this-moved on to a section where I know what's going to happen, then go back to where I was blocked and see what happens.

Outline (or kind of outline).
I'm not really an outliner, but when I get stuck, I will take a notepad, at the top I write the beginning of the story, at the bottom I write the end, then in the middle I write things I know I want to happen.  Then I have some points to work with and I find ways to get from point A to point B.

Take a break.
Do something else for a little bit, chores, gardening, watch TV, anything to rest your brain and eyes for a few.

Do something that inspires.
Music often inspires my writing, so sometimes when I'm stuck, I listen to music.  Mostly indie.  That always gets me going.

What do you do when you get writer's block?

Top Four Ways to Get Through NaNoWriMo: #4

For those of you unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo, that stands for National Novel Writing Month. This is a personal challenge, the only reward is your own accomplishment. In the month of November, writers from around the world commit to trying to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November.

Last year was the first year I participated, and I was a "winner", Mending Fences being the finished product. Of course, having to write 1,600 words a day is no easy task. You don't always get your best work, but you may have something you can work with, edit, revise, and turn it into something good, which I believe I have done with Mending Fences.

This year's novel will be titled Lockdown, a YA novel about a school shooting. (cover art done by my friend Jeff Fielder)

And one of the ways I'm going to get through this is by my #4, outlining.

I normally don't outline. But I thought, if I can create some of the characters in advance, and set a time-line, this may help me see it through.

So, that's it. Good luck to all of you participating in NaNo this year.