Writers Block, Question time Part 3

Writer's block. Something that maybe we have all experienced to some degree or another. Whether that's been an assignment we need to get done for school, a project for work, or your writting a novel. You have something important that needs to be done before a set deadline, yet somehow, you still manage to procrastinate.

Hell, I'm even procrastinating right now, writting this post twenty-four days in advance instead of my novel, and yet It's still considered a productive use of my time even if it's not what I set out to do. But considering I'm not scrolling aimlessly through social media, I'll consider it a win.

I recently heard a saying: "Always work on two projects at once. That way, you can procrastinate on Project A by messing around with Project B; when you get tired of Project B, you can waste time working on Project A. So you will be twice as productive while doing nothing but procrastinating." And something I think a lot of us can benefit from.

So while I'm stuck on chapter twenty-eight of Seducing Mrs Karter, trying to figure out the best way to rap up the conflict in the story, I did what I like to call 'research,' otherwise known as reading, and I've also started working on a new project—the Daughter of Nothing; book two in the Eagles Wing MC series. So far, we are Five chapters in and have a complete plot worked out, a blurb and even a cover image. Funny, it could almost be considered productive. Change your mindset, and you change your experience.

Let's play 'frequently asked questions writers are asked.' An interview-type question-and-answer game designed to give you an insight into the daily life of a writer and hopefully a little inspiration.

Q) On the Subject of Writer's block, what are some methods you use to get back into the flow of things? Firstly I'd like to say there is no set cure for everyone when it comes to creative blocks. But the best way to move past it, in my experience, is to gain a better understanding as to why you might be blocked, and from there, you can work out a solution.

Again I would highly advise watching Masterclass if you haven't already. They have some great tips and tricks to get past creative blocks, and a lot of my ideas stream from there.

Some examples of why you might be blocked are:

1) You're putting too much pressure on yourself to finish a project or make your work flawless. Stop. Walk away and come back to it on another day. If you're putting too much stress on yourself, the chances are what you write isn't going to be good if you're not enjoying writing it.

If there is one thing we know, perfection doesn't exist. So if this is your first draft, write what happens and don't focus on the words. Remember, you can always go back to rewrite it at a later date. Or write TBC and go on to write the next thing you know.

2) You have worked yourself into a plot hole or conflict you can't escape. It happens. A solid plan can solve many of these issues, but not always. Sometimes the story changes as you write, and that's excepted. Brainstorm different solutions on a piece of paper, or if you still can't figure it out, the problem might lie earlier. Go back, and fix it. Or write the next thing you know and come back to it.

3) You have fallen out of love with your characters or project. It happens. The best thing you can do is take a break, put the project on the back burner and pick up something else. But Whatever you do, do not throw out your work.

Return to this project in a few weeks/months and reread what you have written. If you still feel the same way, revise your plot and pick the chapters you want to keep and what might need reworking or removing. Again do not throw this away. Keep it for a rainy day. You never know when you might need it.