How to Overcome Writer's Block
9#Writing #FantasyStorytelling #WritersBlock
How to Overcome Writer's Block
In today's video, Jay suggests 6 things writers can overcome writer's block!
How can writers overcome writers block? Jay has 6 ways that he's used to overcome writer's block. He also explains the two most common reasons that writers experience writer's block in the first place. How can YOU overcome writer's block? Try one of Jay's suggestions and see if it works!
Have another way to overcome writer's block? Leave it in the comments!
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WANT MORE STORYTELLING ADVICE? CHECK OUT JAY'S ONLINE COURSES:
- Fiction Writing: How to Find an Avid Audience as a Writer: https://www.udemy.com/course/writing-...
- Fiction Writing: How to Write a Concept that Sells (Coming Soon!)
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THE RECLAMATION SOCIETY'S ORIGINAL STORIES:
- Star Wars: Rivals: https://youtu.be/wrqWoTLRzCw
- DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER: https://mailchi.mp/99c612968e83/dbh-q...
- TIMESLINGERS: bit.ly/TimeslingersKindle2
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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
I’ve got 6 ways YOU can overcome writer’s block!
Whether it’s stepping away, forcing yourself to write even when it’s terrible, or re-focusing...
...I’ll tell you what I think works and why.
On today’s video, 6 strategies and tactics YOU can use to overcome writer’s block.
Now, let’s talk some more about writer’s block and how to overcome it.
Writer’s block is the term we use when a writer—maybe you—gets stuck and doesn’t know what to write next. Knowing WHY you’re getting stuck can help you choose the right method for getting past the writer’s block.
There are two primary reasons writers get stuck—or why writers get writer’s block—one of them is EMOTIONAL and the other is more PRACTICAL.
The root of all those emotions is fear. And that fear may lead you to think you’re not good enough or that your story just isn’t working. It can also make you think that you shouldn’t get feedback from other people about your writing.
You might be too scared or worried to show other people your work and be JUDGED by them...
STRATEGY #1:
The first strategy is to recognize the FEAR is there, but also recognize that all writers have been exactly where you are now.
Here’s the thing. The draft you’re working on might suck. But that’s okay. The fantastic thing about writing is that you can re-write whenever you want to. Sometimes, our writing sucks.
What do we do about that?
The first way to deal with writer’s block is to ADMIT THAT SOMETIMES YOU SUCK, AND THAT’S OKAY. You’re going to fail, but that only means you’ve found something that doesn’t work. Keep failing until you find something that DOES work.
Be okay with not being great sometimes. It’s just part of the process. Accept it and acknowledge it.
STRATEGY #2:
Talk about your story with someone you trust. Someone that doesn’t think you suck even if the draft you’re working on DOES suck right now.
This is one problem that writing groups can help solve.
STRATEGY #3:
Now, my third strategy might seem counterintuitive… but hear me out.
Force yourself to keep writing, and maybe even set a deadline for finishing the chapter you’re getting stuck on. Chance are, this will FORCE you to suck MORE…
When you force yourself to write your way through the issue, it can reveal where the root of the problem lies. And then, you can go about finding a real solution.
It could be that the reason you’re stuck is that you don’t know how to SOLVE a PRACTICAL problem in your story.
I’ve got THREE strategies to help you solve this issue, too.
STRATEGY #1:
Take a break. This doesn’t mean you’re letting the writer’s block win. It just means you’re stepping away to clear your mind. Sometimes our brains need time to workout solutions to complex problems.
If that’s where you’re at, step away from your story for a couple hours, a couple minutes, or even a couple weeks or months.
When you come back to your story, chances are you’ll have a bunch of new ideas.
STRATEGY #2:
Put the WRITING aside and go back to sketching out your bigger vision.
What story are you exploring right now? Do you know, or have you just been writing as an exploratory exercise? Maybe it’s time to write down what’s emerging as your overall vision.
Look at your overall story as opposed to obsessing over the current page you’re on.
STRATEGY #3:
Finally, something I’ve already mentioned… Talk it out with someone else. The best part about writing groups or close friends that care about our writing is that they can support our emotional needs AND our practical needs.
Writing can be a lonely, isolating process anyway, so it always good to invest in some relationships along the way.
CONCLUSION
The two most common tactics I use when I’m experiencing writer’s block are: stepping away and thinking about the bigger picture… and collaborating.
Did I miss any strategies or tactics you’ve used to overcome writer’s block?