Getting Past Writer’s Block and Other Obstacles

Summary

The website content discusses strategies for overcoming writer's block and other writing challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's own problem-solving processes in writing.

Abstract

The article delves into the personal experiences of the author in overcoming writing obstacles, such as developing characters and plotlines, and the realization that different methods are employed to tackle these issues. The author highlights the benefits of outdoor activities, like walking a dog, as a means to visualize and plan the narrative. Journaling is also recommended as a technique to articulate and resolve writing problems, allowing the subconscious to offer solutions. Additionally, the author acknowledges the role of discipline in combating procrastination, suggesting that sometimes the best approach is to simply commit to writing. The use of brain.fm for focus-enhancing music is mentioned as a tool to aid concentration. The article concludes by encouraging writers to recognize and utilize their unique strategies for overcoming writing barriers.

Opinions

The author believes in the power of nature and physical activity to stimulate creativity and problem-solving in writing.
Journaling is seen as an effective method for untangling writing challenges and accessing subconscious insights.
Procrastination is viewed as a common issue among writers that can be overcome with discipline and the use of focus-enhancing tools like brain.fm.
The author suggests that self-awareness of one's writing processes is crucial for efficiently navigating through writing blocks.
The article promotes the idea that every writer has unique tools and methods that work for them, and becoming familiar with these can greatly enhance productivity.

You May Already Possess The Best Tools for the Job

Have you ever given much thought as to how you move past your writer’s block, or get your characters out of sticky situations, or move towards an ending you’d been completely baffled about?

As writers, we often neglect this sort of analysis. We get caught up in the inspiration and don’t take the time to see what got us there. We shouldn’t skip this step. Understanding our own tricks may the solution to overcoming writing barriers more quickly and elegantly the next time they land in our paths.

I recently wrote an article about writing my first children’s book, My Dog Sees Ghosts, which got me thinking about my processes. All I had at the beginning of the book were my two main characters, Liz and Toby, but I had no idea what they were going to do, what conflict was about to happen, who their family was, or anything, really.

I was out walking my dog when inspiration first hit and I was soon happily pouring my first chapter out onto the page. As I progressed I found that some chapters came easily and others required more work. It wasn’t until the second or third book of the series that I really consciously understood that I had developed different processes for overcoming obstacles.

Go Outside

One of my most consistent habits that helps with writing involves morning walks with my dog. While I am outside in a relaxed state, enjoying nature, I consider what tasks are written in my daily planner and mentally begin preparing for them. If I am in the midst of writing, one of my tasks might be “write next chapter.” As we walk, I’ll think about where I left off and what the next bit of action is. Sometimes I know, but other times I try to work it out while we progress on our well-traveled path.

I visualize what my characters are doing and see if they can show me what happens next. When I can relax my mind and be in the moment with my characters, this often works well. It’s like a movie in my head — and I can instinctively feel if what I’m seeing is wrong (like I am forcing the action) or right (it just clicks into place.) I’d love to say the process of being outside, walking and visualization works every time, but it doesn’t. I figured out other things that work for me.

Try Journaling

The next “trick” I use to get back into the flow of the story when I am stumped is journaling. There are so many methods and purposes of journaling from basic diary-keeping to setting intentions for the day that I’ll explain how I journal to help my writing.

I usually start by writing out my problem. This would be something like, “Liz and Toby are trapped in the house and just saw a ghost. Is the ghost real? Could it just be some clothes hanging from a hanger? Was it a shadow? If it is a real ghost where am I going with this?”

From there I write whatever comes to mind. This allows the magic of “free writing,” popularized as “morning pages” by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way, to occur. It’s a chance for my subconscious to speak out and provide me with insight. I often find that by simply identifying my problem and writing what I am thinking about it, the answer presents itself quite clearly. Other times, my solution may be hidden in a phrase that I’ll notice only after going back through, and reading, maybe even rereading, what I wrote.

Stop Procrastinating

My third most effective trick or tool in my bag is barely a tool. It’s recognizing when I am procrastinating and need to simply sit my butt in the chair and write. There are times when I am distracted by other things going on in my life and if I am not really clear about what to write next, I find other things to do. These are easy tasks that require little thought.

When I do this it’s because some part of me knows it’s going to take some effort to shut off the distractions, tune into my story, and write. I’m not really blocked or stumped. I’m simply not in the midst of a great scene that I am excited to write, so it’s easy to let my mind go other places. Those times call for the discipline of sitting down, ignoring distractions, and moving my story forward.

I have found that listening to brain.fm really helps me accomplish those things. Brain.fm allows users to play music that has been scientifically developed to help with focus, relaxation or sleep. I turn on the music and generally within just a few minutes feel very focussed and able to write without distraction. (I’m not affiliated with brain.fm, I’m just a big fan.) It really is a great tool worth checking out.

How about you? Are you aware of the actions you take to get yourself past blocks in your writing or get your characters out of difficult situations? Become familiar with what works for you so you can have these tools handy when needed. Don’t have any tricks? Feel free to try mine.

More from Dakota… Are you a writer or dream of being a writer?

Do habits like procrastination and perfectionism keep you from being the productive writer you want to be? I’m an author and I also help people overcome self-defeating habits so they can work towards becoming the writer they dream of being. Click on the link below to find out about the video course that I am currently offering for free.