Kick that Writer's Block!!
Jun 14, 2010 11:54:45 GMT -5
Post by Clarisse Prideaux on Jun 14, 2010 11:54:45 GMT -5
I know its happened to you, its definitely happened to me: the writer’s block. Sometimes it happens to just one character, where that muse just runs away, sometimes never to return! Or sometimes, worst of all, all of your creativity is sucked out of your body be evil no-post gnomes. So! In an effort to help cure you of this terrible ailment, I present
KAITLYN’S METHODS TO WAGE WAR AGAINST NO-POST GNOMES!!
…I’m working on a better title.
1.Re-read your character’s bio[/i]
You may find, especially with older characters, that you occasionally forget some of the more subtle aspects of a personality that you created! Re-read your application. Did you forget some of their likes and dislikes? I bet you did.
Re-reading an application is a great thing to do if you’re in a first meeting or first date scenario. If two characters have reached a lull in the conversation, it can be awkward for the writer. If its awkward for you, why not make it awkward for your characters too?! There’s no reason the subject can’t suddenly be changed if the conversation is getting stale…that happens in real life too!
This is also an easy exercise if you’re feeling a little bored and want to open a topic, but aren’t sure what to do.
Already have a topic started? Something action-packed and excited underway? Has your muse just booked it? Well there is still hope.
2.Freewrite
This is the exercise that I use most often. It’s a simple concept, but often pretty difficult to pull off. Here’s how it goes.
Pick a set period of time. I usually decide on five minutes, though sometimes two is enough, and sometimes I’ll write as long as ten.
For that determined period of time, you write. And I mean write. As in you put your pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and do not remove it until your time is up. You write whatever you can, as fast as you can, for that five (or two or ten) minutes.
The point of this exercise is to keep your brain moving past the wall. Even if you’re writing nonsense or things like “Christ I don’t even know what to write,” you are exercising your brain to write write write. While you usually can’t get a worthy post out of this, it has almost always helped me to brainstorm and get some solid ideas on how to start one.
3.Visual Learners
If you are more visual person, sometimes its prudent to buzz through some pictures of your play by. I know it sounds stupid, but sometimes a particularly good photograph that portrays an emotion rather vividly can help jumpstart a muse for a particular character.
4.Auditory Learners
If you prefer to use your ears more than your eyes, then making a soundtrack to your characters life could help jumpstart your muse. It doesn’t have to be very long, but choosing some sounds to go with your character can help you visualize a scenario (like a mini-music video)
Hopefully these four hints can help you out a little bit, like they’ve helped me. If any of you out there have suggestions to kick writer’s block, post them here!
Good luck <3
KAITLYN’S METHODS TO WAGE WAR AGAINST NO-POST GNOMES!!
…I’m working on a better title.
1.Re-read your character’s bio[/i]
You may find, especially with older characters, that you occasionally forget some of the more subtle aspects of a personality that you created! Re-read your application. Did you forget some of their likes and dislikes? I bet you did.
Re-reading an application is a great thing to do if you’re in a first meeting or first date scenario. If two characters have reached a lull in the conversation, it can be awkward for the writer. If its awkward for you, why not make it awkward for your characters too?! There’s no reason the subject can’t suddenly be changed if the conversation is getting stale…that happens in real life too!
This is also an easy exercise if you’re feeling a little bored and want to open a topic, but aren’t sure what to do.
Already have a topic started? Something action-packed and excited underway? Has your muse just booked it? Well there is still hope.
2.Freewrite
This is the exercise that I use most often. It’s a simple concept, but often pretty difficult to pull off. Here’s how it goes.
Pick a set period of time. I usually decide on five minutes, though sometimes two is enough, and sometimes I’ll write as long as ten.
For that determined period of time, you write. And I mean write. As in you put your pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and do not remove it until your time is up. You write whatever you can, as fast as you can, for that five (or two or ten) minutes.
The point of this exercise is to keep your brain moving past the wall. Even if you’re writing nonsense or things like “Christ I don’t even know what to write,” you are exercising your brain to write write write. While you usually can’t get a worthy post out of this, it has almost always helped me to brainstorm and get some solid ideas on how to start one.
3.Visual Learners
If you are more visual person, sometimes its prudent to buzz through some pictures of your play by. I know it sounds stupid, but sometimes a particularly good photograph that portrays an emotion rather vividly can help jumpstart a muse for a particular character.
4.Auditory Learners
If you prefer to use your ears more than your eyes, then making a soundtrack to your characters life could help jumpstart your muse. It doesn’t have to be very long, but choosing some sounds to go with your character can help you visualize a scenario (like a mini-music video)
Hopefully these four hints can help you out a little bit, like they’ve helped me. If any of you out there have suggestions to kick writer’s block, post them here!
Good luck <3
