Writer's Block
Frankly, I don't really ever have writer's block. Oh, I do sometimes have trouble sitting down and actually getting to the writing, but it's not because I have a block of any kind, it's just that I have so many other things that need to get done.
When I am writing a book, I've found that the greatest way to prevent writer's block is to always quit in the middle of a scene--a scene that you know exactly where you're going. That way, when you return to your writing, you can pick up right where you left off. That way you don't have to deliberate, wondering what to write next.
For those of you who have an outline, I supposed you never have a problem anyway. Though I know where I'm going when writing a new mystery, what I have when I begin is the crime, the suspects (or all the new characters since I'm writing a series), the motives for each one, the alibis, and I usually think I know who the killer is, though sometimes that changes when I'm writing. From there on, I'm kind of writing by the seat of my pants.
Do you experience writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Marilyn
When I am writing a book, I've found that the greatest way to prevent writer's block is to always quit in the middle of a scene--a scene that you know exactly where you're going. That way, when you return to your writing, you can pick up right where you left off. That way you don't have to deliberate, wondering what to write next.
For those of you who have an outline, I supposed you never have a problem anyway. Though I know where I'm going when writing a new mystery, what I have when I begin is the crime, the suspects (or all the new characters since I'm writing a series), the motives for each one, the alibis, and I usually think I know who the killer is, though sometimes that changes when I'm writing. From there on, I'm kind of writing by the seat of my pants.
Do you experience writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Marilyn
Comments
Perhaps the question is not what to do if you get writer's block, but why do you get a block? Trying too hard and getting up tight? Time to sit on the beach with a good book and vegetate without remorse? Does wonders for the inspiration.