How I Write - Getting Through Writer's Block & Other Distractions

Hiya! 

I know...I know...it's been a while...I've been really busy between work and school that I wasn't able to sit down and get to this.

Anyway, I've noticed that one of the major problems I hear from other people who like to write...is (dum dum dum dumm) Writer's Block...or as I call it...getting stuck. Sometimes you can be stuck for days, weeks, or even months at a time. In general, I don't think I've ever felt 'blocked' when writing. I'm really lucky. I do feel stuck sometimes, but more often than not, it passes and I get on with writing. 

I don't think there is a simple way to face getting stuck, other than to change perspective. Don't think of it as getting stuck...rather a nice short break? Sometimes you just might not be into what you're working on, so carrying on seems pointless. If that's the case, I think a re-evaluation over why you might be writing the piece is called for. Sort out if the path you've taken is the one you want, and if not, you can change it to something you like. Don't be scared of changing things or deleting what you've written. If anything just start a new file and start over, that way you can compare your work and see which one is better or mix and match. Another reason to get stuck is pressure. You may feel as though everyone is expecting a lot, and you don't want to disappointing  or you're being asked to update and you can't find the time to write. It can all contribute to that feeling of being 'blocked'. Always remember: YOU ARE WRITING FOR YOURSELF!

For me getting stuck usually happens when I am tired, or it's a situation in the story that I am not prepared to handle...sometimes it's having to write a certain scene or dialogue and I can't come up with anything, my mind goes blank. My solution is to leave that portion and start on the next chapter. When I do that, it always helps me. I'll come back, and work on the rest of the scene/chapter/dialogue until I'm content with how it sounds and reads. If I'm not ready for a situation, I'll get off the computer, and just mull over the fine details until I feel I have something that suits the situation. Again, I am a dreamer...so I love running the scenario in my mind's eye like a movie...and playing with different options. There are some moments where I have felt weird or incapable of writing have been...such as...don't laugh, I know how weird this is going to sound...scenes that might lead up to a kiss...-_-' I'm not joking. I get a little weirded out, and it takes time to write those moments. I find writing break-ups easier than writing about the kiss...lol! Maybe it's because I can relate to sadness more than the joy but...yea...in order to write those moments so they aren't cheesy, it usually takes time and I tend to have more than one chapter going on, so that I don't freak out.

Feelings of being 'blocked' or stuck, for me, come up when I don't have time to write, that is usually when a project starts to look daunting and un-finish-able...for example, IOT took a little over two years to write because at certain points I just didn't have time; at one point I was across the pond in England, at another it was school, or work, or family, and at others I didn't have energy. Thankfully, it was never the storyline that troubled me. At the beginning there were some things that were unclear, but by last summer, I was sure about every aspect. All I needed was time. I would recommend working on your story at night or on weekends, but only if you can manage with the lack of sleep. Since I'm a bit used to running on less sleep that is usually my method. For me, it is because there isn't anyone to bother me, or on weekends when I am free of work. I know if I'm too tired, I won't write anything decent...so I make sure that once spelling starts becoming an issue or I feel frazzled  I get off the computer and go sleep or do something else. 

Distractions can often attribute to the 'not-writing' aspect of my life. Like, over the summer I had quite a few distractions last year, my siblings were at home, we had loads of guests...which really did slow down me down. I tend to dislike prying eyes. It got to a point where I would turn on the computer and leave it until the night...when I'd turn it off...it was quite bad. I think a part of what happened was that it is far too hot in my room in the summer...plus I tend to use a really old monitor which generates A LOT of heat...lol...I did find a solution though...a fan right at the computer and working at night to avoid people reading over my shoulder. I know...you probably think I should have changed my monitor...but I'm quite attached to mine...so that was out of the question. I would do as much as I could in the summer and try not to waste the time I had given myself to write. I tend to write more during the spring, fall, winter; more because my siblings have school so they can't pry...and the weather is easier to deal with. I know for others the source of distraction could be internet and what-not...that is why I tend to unhook my computer from the internet...it keeps me focused. 

I know some people often feel blocked when there is a lot of pressure on them. A lot of the times you don't want people to be let down, or want to update quickly...it can be really hard. I think the best way to avoid pressure - again which worked for me, was to remind myself that what I was writing was for me. If I wasn't happy with it...then why would would I want to share it, and really why would someone reading my work be happy? 

In order to keep away from pressure, I generally write a large portion before deciding if I'm going to share it or before letting anyone read a chapter. After writing ATWCB on a day to day basis, I found this was the best way to work. With SWFF I was always 10 chapters ahead, but still I would feel a little bit of pressure when it came to posting, and quality. With IOT I took a similar but at the same time different approach. I posted the prologue a few days after I had written it - by then I was already writing the chapters, and then I kind of kept away from posting until I had written about 30 something chapters. I don't think I would have posted IOT if I didn't like the concept. I made sure to let everyone know that I was going to go offline for a while, it took the pressure of updating off of me and allowed me the space I needed to write. I would go through the chapters on my own, and read and re-read them until I was sure nothing was missing. This way, by the time I started posting more frequently, most of the story was done. I found that for me, this was the best way to write. 

Anyway, sometimes the best way to get over Writer's block is to just stop and do something else. Something that isn't writing! Or just sleep on it...since our minds figure out problems when we sleep...whatever works for you! =D

Well, I really hope this helps...I know it's rather long winded...but I didn't know what else to do. Also...if you have any tips that work when you have Writer's block, let me know. It would be interesting to see what other people do!

Much Love,
Andene xx