[Kik]

I wrote a novel via the Nanowrimo competition last November which I have been tweaking ever since. I've decided to rewrite my first three chapters to sow seeds on how the book has now ended but I've got myself a bit stuck.

I have a short situation (literally only a chapter's worth of text) where A needs to lead to C (otherwise I'll be re-writing a lot more then three chapters) but I can't seem to figure out the journey.

To be honest, it's not a full on block as I feel like I'm sitting on the idea but I can't prise it out.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Any tips you can pass on?

[Kik]

Huh. I discovered today that spider charts are my friend. Who knew? 😀

[Martin Reed]

At least you're sitting on an idea! Sometimes when I sit down to write I find it absolutely impossible to find inspiration – meaning I write far less often than I'd like.

Spider charts can be a great way of brainstorming ideas – but what if you don't have any ideas in the first place?!

—

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The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[Kik]

'Martin' wrote on '01:

Spider charts can be a great way of brainstorming ideas – but what if you don't have any ideas in the first place?!

In my case, I started with motivations of the characters at that particular moment. Once I got that down, patterns started showing themselves and the journey pretty much revealed itself.

I always feel like I've got the answer on the tip of my tongue but it needs coaxing out. Maybe just start with something random and get the juices flowing and keep adding branches?

[xabalba]

i went through writers block about 3 weeks back everytime i sat down 2 write everything just seemed forced and didnt flow and work, i decided 2 have a day off but didnt pick up any writing on my novels for about 2 weeks and when i did it was amazing at what came out

[AuraTodd]

Listen to music is what I do.

[Martin Reed]

'AuraTodd' wrote on '16:

Listen to music is what I do.

Any music in particular that you recommend for inspiration?

—

If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[AuraTodd]

Enya, The Saturdays and http://www.lastfm.com

[UliHarp]

I don't know if it might help for you guys, but when I get writer's block, I revisit the things that inspire me. For example: I take a lot of influences from Asian culture for my current project (my book). So if ever I can't think of what to do in the book, I look at pictures of Chinese temples, of their countrysides, of rural towns, sometimes at Japanese woodblock paintings, or Indian markets… whatever. (I've garnered a giant picture folder on my computer of these things!) Basically, I look at architecture, clothing, anything that corresponds with the settings or people I imagine would appear in my book's world. This helps in the way that I can imagine my characters in these places/etc., and strikes the question “what would they be doing there” or “how does something like this relate to them”? And from there I can create similar situations or take elements of the inspiration into the book. Not every imagined scene or situation is always used, but exercising the options and getting a feel for what characters would do in different places/etc. is a good way to get ideas flowing.

That, or sometimes when I'm stuck on a scene, I'll draw it out as a rough comic. I don't concern myself much with the drawing aspect, but rather the setting and position of all the characters; the scene as a whole. Sketching it out, for me, sometimes helps with the fluidity of scene. Being aware of the characters' placement in a room or to one another is a good start. (It also helps when I have a firm image of something from the scene, like a fist fight's movements, that I want to keep and translate into text.) Also, using only speech bubbles and doodles, it helps me focus more on the dialog and deem what flows better or feels most natural for characters to say while also getting the most information from it. (Half the time, I stop doodling and just make blob-outlines with characters' names on them because I get more involved with the dialog.) Then, when writing the actual scene, I use the rough comic as a reference and tweak as I need from doodles to draught.

Those are my two predominant remedies for writer's block. And if those don't help, sometimes I just talk it out with a friend who knows the characters or take a shower (when standing under the shower, I let my mind wander and ideas sometimes appear in my simmering). Or, like said before, listen to some music (Erik Satie and Yann Teirsen, to be exact).

Perhaps some of my methods will work for you guys. I hope so; I bet writer's block is as much the bane of your guys' existence as it is mine. (Knock on wood, eh?)

Until next time!

-Uly

[Kik]

'UliHarp' wrote on '22:

And if those don't help, sometimes I just talk it out with a friend who knows the characters or take a shower (when standing under the shower, I let my mind wander and ideas sometimes appear in my simmering).

Snap! 🙂

Although I find I HAVE to make sure my scalp gets wet. Doesn't work if I wear a shower cap. Weird 😮

[UliHarp]

'Kik' wrote on '03:

Snap! 🙂

Although I find I HAVE to make sure my scalp gets wet. Doesn't work if I wear a shower cap. Weird 😮

Same here! Unless I actually douse myself, shampoo, etc., I get nothing. That is weird!

[UliHarp]

'Martin' wrote on '17:

Any music in particular that you recommend for inspiration?

I would suggest anything from…

Composers: Nicolo Paganini, Ludwig Thuille, Brahms, Debussy, Erik Satie, Vivaldi

Contemporary composers: Yann Tiersen (The mastermind behind the Amelie soundtrack), Shane Calhoun, Paul Collier, Yuki Kajiura, Andre Reiu, Samuel Barber (especially the song “Adagio for Strings”), Saint-Saëns, Chopin, Schubert, Edward Grieg, and Bizet (he gave us Carmen).

Strings players: Jascha Heifetz (widely regarded as one the greatest violinist off all time), Vanessa-Mae(violin), Joshua Bell(violin), Adam Hurst (cello), Jia Peng Fang (ehru; gorgeous instrument!), Gil Shaham(violin).

Pianists: Maya Filipic, Ehma, Roy Todd.

Opera: Leo Delibe's “Lakmé”; Gaetano Donizetti's “Lucia di Lammermoor”; Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé.

Soundtracks/scores: The Man Who Cried (film); Gladiator (film); Amelie (film); House of Flying Daggers (film); Hero (film); Hannibal (film); Winter Sonata (drama); Bioshock (game; the song “Welcome to the Rapture” especially); Xenosaga III (game); Okami (game); BloodPlus (anime); Vampire Knight (anime); Madlax (anime); anything from a Miyazaki movie.

I'll stop there; I already put up a lot! On the other hand, if anyone's interested, I have three giant “writing music” playlists on my Youtube channel anyone can listen to. Yeah, I know, it sounds like I have a lot of time on my hands- I really just can't write without music, is all.

[UliHarp]

'UliHarp' wrote on '05:

Contemporary composers: Yann Tiersen (The mastermind behind the Amelie soundtrack), Shane Calhoun, Paul Collier, Yuki Kajiura, Andre Reiu, Samuel Barber (especially the song “Adagio for Strings”), Saint-Saëns, Chopin, Schubert, Edward Grieg, and Bizet (he gave us Carmen).

Okay, I should have reread before posting. Samuel Barber, Saint-Saëns, Chopin, Schubert, Grieg, and Bizet are not contemporary! Not that it makes much a difference, typing their name in Youtube or whatever- just needed to correct myself.

[Author]

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