Overcoming Writer’s Stuck

Has anyone heard of writers block? Yes, almost everyone. Okay, how about writers stuck? Not so many hands up this time. Writers block can be quite serious for those authors that are so blocked, they can’t get beyond it. And some never get over it, which I find is sad. This article will not tackle the more severe case of writers block, but the less severe situation where you are stuck on where to take your story. Here’s what I have found during writing, that when the story is developing and following a mapped outline, that you reach a point where the story could go in a several different directions. Some directions so different that it changes the whole story. The other side of that coin is that nothing comes to mind that makes sense. I would be curious how other writers handle this situation or am I the only one? You get to a place in the story and you feel that more of the story should be developed but no convenient way comes to mind. The analogy is that of a bridge that takes one from one scene into another while introducing those elements that complete the bridge. I call it bridging the gap. You don’t want the story to just fall off a cliff and die.

What does one do then?

1. Think about it.

2. Keep writing and fix it later.

3. Cry.

4. Give yourself a break.

5. Have a lovely cup of tea.

6. Brainstorm ideas and write them down.

7. Call your mom.

8. Go for a long walk.

9. Re-read a few sections prior to the stuck point.

10. Sleep on it.

Some of these suggestions will be useful, while others, not so. The point of becoming unstuck is to realize that you are in fact you are not stuck. The thought or idea that completes the connection will come to mind.

Keep smiling.