SIMON SAYS – WAYS TO OVERCOME THE DREADED WRITER’S BLOCK!
January 14, 2009 by Writing for Children
Filed under Simon Says
In the days before computers, when writers were restricted to typewriters or pen and paper, one writer had an ideal strategy. Each time he finished writing for the day, he would always make sure he started another clean page. Even if all he wrote was a few lines, it prevented him from coming in the next day to the daunting prospect of a blank sheet of paper, which would most likely have the effect of freezing any inspiration and being a deterrent to getting started again right away.
I always create a detailed outline of a novel before I start work, but not all writers work this way, no matter what their preferred genre. However, even if you don’t usually work with an initial plan, if you’re stuck at a particular point in the story, writing a basic outline could be a good way to get back on track. You can even try breaking the story down into smaller chunks, with just the main points and headings, as is common with information on websites. It might even result in you taking the plot in a whole new direction that you had never previously considered, to the benefit of the story as a whole.
You could also try reviewing your notes, research or source materials. Alternatively, you could search for writing exercises online or engage in random writing exercises of your own, writing down whatever comes to mind, just to get the process moving again.
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For more from Simon Rose, watch this short video:
