Author tips
So, You’re Staring at a Blank Screen?
5 ways to break writer’s block
The other day on Twitter, I saw a fellow author write the following:
Been staring at a blank screen for an hour. Now I know that this is not going to be a good day…
Being stuck. Not knowing what to write next. We’ve all been there! Here are a few ways that you can try to tackle that writer’s block.
1. Writing prompts
A writing prompt is a simple idea, image or phrase that can get you started. The key in my view is to have several, building up a stock of them that you can then flick through like a deck of cards, waiting for the inspiration to suddenly strike.
Here are a few to get you started:
2. Brainstorming
Brainstorming is the original idea-generation technique. While not specific to writing, it is all about coming up with as many ideas as possible, regardless of the quality.
The hope is that there will be some gems in among the dust and garbage!
If you are finding yourself staring at a blank screen or page, I suggest that you get moving, doing your brainstorming as you take a short walk, take a shower, or do some cleaning. And remember, there are no bad ideas in brainstorming!
Read more about the technique here:
3. Experiment with ‘stream of consciousness’ writing.
A stream of consciousness is when writing resembles thinking. You know, thinking — that thing that you do every day!
Why not have a try at putting yourself into the mind of one of your characters, explaining their everyday thoughts, feelings and actions as they experience them. Subjective impressions, thought by thought.
Read more here:
4. Focus on dialogue
Often the most engaging fiction is all about what characters have to say. We want to know what they think and feel.
We don’t want to be told things like: “Amina and Jim conversed for a few minutes, and then agreed to break up.”
No way!
We want to see those conversation, point by point. Here are some tips on writing dialogue accurately:
5. Throw in something totally random
I once went to a talk by the author Alexander McCall Smith, a man whose books have sold over 40 million copies. He mentioned how a new character just bicycled in to one of his scenes as he was writing. It was totally unplanned, but that character stuck around… and the scene worked.
Sometimes, in creative work, you do need to mix things up and embrace the chaos. I discuss this more here:
Whatever you do, do something! Those words are not going to write themselves.
If you are stuck, use one of the techniques above to make a change, or try something different (and leave a comment about it!). Anything to get the words flowing once again.
- Before I finish, a shoutout to Cristina Cattai for her article about 9 months on Medium.
- And to J.R. Heimbigner for his great piece on connecting with other writers.
- And finally to Indigo for this perspective on the value of ‘read-for-read’.
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