How do I Write a Story Without Getting Writer's Block

by Melody
(Troy, New York, USA)

Question: Whenever I start a book, I just give up on it and start a new one. If it is possible, how do I write a story without getting writer's block?

Answer: It takes a lot of self-discipline to write a novel--as you are discovering. In fact, very few people of any age have that level of discipline. So don't be frustrated with yourself. It will get easier with practice.

Some writers spend years writing short stories before they try a novel, because it is easier to hold an entire short story in your imagination as you work on it, and you can finish a short story much faster, while your inspiration is still fresh.

Because novels are bigger stories, they have a lot more elements (plotlines, subplots, characters, ideas, information about the setting, etc.) to keep track of. The inspiration and excitement you have when you write the first chapter can fade a little by the time you get to chapter five, or chapter ten. This is especially true if you discover that some of the choices you made in the early chapters are starting to contradict themselves or are getting in the way of what you want your characters to do. You may spend so much time trying to keep track of everything that you lose sight of the ideas and emotions that inspired you in the first place.

Also, you may discover that the path between the beginning of the story and the end is not as clear when you're writing the middle. Sometimes, the end of the story is like a mountain. At the start of the story, it's like you're standing on a plateau and you can see the mountain clearly in the distance, so you know where you're going. But between the plateau and the mountain is a dark forest. Once you get into that forest, you can't see the mountain any more. All the paths look the same. They twist and turn. And it's not easy to see which path will actually take you in the right direction. Some times you get an idea that's like a new path opening up, but it turns out to be a dead end and you're left in a place where you're not sure how to get back on track.

These are some of the reasons most writers say that every story goes wrong in the second act.

One thing that can help is to write an outline of the novel before you start. An outline is a summary of the entire novel from start to end, but is only a few pages long. It serves as a roadmap, so when you get stuck and you're not sure where the story should go, the outline can remind you what should happen next.

In fact, writing an outline is a great way to make sure your story makes sense and feels exciting before you start the actual writing.

You can revise the outline if you get new ideas, but you should make sure you always have an outline that tells the complete story from beginning to end in a way that makes sense and feels exciting.

The other advantage to having an outline is that you don't have to think about the entire story at once. You can just focus on one small part at a time and know that all the parts will fit together in the end because they are all described in the outline.

In fact, if you get stuck on one part of the story, you can skip ahead and work on a different part. Later, you can go back and fill in the missing part.

One other tip: if you find you are getting bored by the story, take some time to play around with different ideas. Ask yourself, "What if this happened instead? What if this happened? What if my character does this? What would be more exciting?" Write down all the possibilities that come to mind, even the crazy ones that you know you won't use. (Sometimes playing around with crazy ideas can lead you to the next brilliant idea if you don't reject them right away.)

After you write down every idea you can think of, leave the project alone for a day. Then go back and read your ideas and see if you don't find a more exciting path for your story to take. Usually, the more excited you are about your story, the easier it is to write and the more exciting it will be for the reader.

(Note: I use the word "exciting" here, but a better term might be "emotionally engaging." It's a feeling that makes you want to keep reading/writing the story.)

Best of luck.

Writers block

by Pip
(Scotland)

Question: So I really love reading and I would love to write my own novel. I have plenty of ideas, but every time I try to write something down I get stuck. I am suffering from a serious case of writer's block. Can you please give me some ideas to help get over it? Thanks.

Answer: If you have plenty of ideas but a hard time getting started, you may need to do some work to develop your ideas before you sit down and begin the actual writing.

I'd suggest you create an outline of some sort. For some people, a paragraph summarizing what the story will be about is enough. Others will write a 10-page outline. A few will write 100 pages. The outline should be like a treasure map, so that when you get stuck you can remind yourself where the story is going and what the next event on the journey should be. And of course you're free to change the outline if you get a better idea during the writing process. (Just make sure you revise the whole journey, so it all still makes sense in the end.)

You can also use the outline to make sure your plot is dramatically sound before you start writing, which can save you a lot of time in revision later on.

The articles on this page are designed to help you create an outline...

https://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/how-to-write-a-novel.html

Or if you want a less formal approach, simply start asking yourself all kinds of questions about your story. Then brainstorm possible answers. As you choose the best answers and incorporate them into your story idea, a more detailed outline will emerge. Make sure you include the beginning and end of your story, as well as the path in between.

The other thing that holds up some people is deciding where the story should begin. This is especially challenging because not all stories are told from the beginning. The one thing I would suggest is that you begin with an event - an important event. It doesn't have to be the inciting incident, though it could be. But avoid preamble if at all possible.

Writers Block

by Lucas

I am now working towards my first full length novel, but that is where my problem comes in. For the past 5 months or so I've been dealing with extreme writer's block and it is tearing me apart at the seams so to speak. I know that I want the story to be a post apocalyptic dystopian sort of thing but I keep changing the plot because I don't like what I have, or changing the conflict because it resembles too closely to other stories. I need some help. Badly.

Answer: What you're going through is a perfectly normal part of the creative process that most writers experience at one time or another. Some suggestions...

1. If you feel stressed out, relax. You're not on a deadline. You can take the time to weigh up different ideas for the story. Eventually it will all gel. Remind yourself what it is that got you excited about the story in the first place. Focus on that vision.

2. Don't worry if your story seems a little like others. There are few wholly original ideas. What matters is that you tell your story your way.

3. Try to separate your creative from your critical work. In other words, when you write or brainstorm, don't judge. Just have fun creating. Save the self-criticism for a different session when you go back and review what you have written. As John Cleese says, "Nothing will stop you being creative so effectively as the fear of making a mistake."

Sometimes the best thing to do is withhold all self-criticism until you have finished a first draft. Put the draft aside for a week or so. Then read what you have and make notes on what you would like to change in the second draft. It's much easier to revise a finished draft than to create something from scratch. And it's okay to write a first draft that you know isn't perfect and then fix it afterward.

Trying to criticize and revise while you are still writing a first draft is the easiest way to get confused. (And writer's block is usually the result of confusion.)

Finally, I am a big believer in outlines as a way to keep yourself on track. But sometimes you only discover the real story while writing. If the story changes in a good way during the writing process, you can always revise your outline for the second draft.

Best of luck.

Not Your Typical Writer's Block

by Arianna
(MD)

I have a first draft of a manuscript right now (so, clearly it sucks anyway, being a first draft) and I'm extremely unhappy with the plot. I've made charts about flaws in the plotwork and how to fix them, I've tried re-structuring the plot, redesigning entire characters, etc - and yet nothing has seemed to help.

I took a break from the work, came back, and found myself even more dissatisfied and upset with the writing.

Is there anything I can do?

(Thank you so much for the resources on the site. I love your advice and the community that's developed here - so thanks. :)

Answer: First, congratulations on having finished a draft.

Second, it's difficult to tell you how to revise it, not knowing the story. However, here are a few things you might try...

1. Show the manuscript to someone you trust, perhaps a writer friend or mentor, and get their perspective.

2. Try to identify what it was that made you passionate about the story in the first place, and where that passion went wrong. That might help you zero in on what needs to be revised.

3. Maybe you tried the question & answer process I suggested before (www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/brain-glitch.html)? You might give it a renewed effort. If you can identify what aspects of the plot you are unhappy with, you can brainstorm to find options that might be more satisfying.

4. Try writing something in a different character's voice or in a different style of narration and see if that makes a difference.

5. If you're the kind of writer to whom this might appeal (or you think you could be)... try writing a letter to yourself from your main character in which your character tells you what needs to be fixed about his/her story. Make it a good long letter (10 pages or so). (Sometimes characters know better than us and we just need to let them speak.)

Best of luck.

Writer's Block, Sort of.

by Jeff
(Bay Area, Ca)

My problem is this: I get writer's block, sort of. I get stuck in my writing not when I'm confused on where to take a story, but how to structure sentences. I always aced English classes, but I never really payed attention (I wasn't much of a fan of school) and now I feel I'm missing some building blocks that help others structure sentences that are interesting and accomplish the point they are trying to make.

My vocabulary feels low, and I know it isn't an end all be all, but sometimes I have an idea in mind, and no word to describe it although I know there is one.

Also, basic and advanced uses of certain punctuation. But more importantly, just knowing what words fall under what literary terms and how to use words to "paint" a picture. I feel I fall short and that stops me from writing.

Great site, BTW! I've been reading over every article and learning a lot.

Thanks for your time, and use the first paragraph as a testimonial if you'd like.

Response: Traditionally, most writers have developed their sense of style by reading a lot (and reading closely), and by writing a lot. Basic grammar, taught in school, helped a little as well.

English classes help somewhat because they force you to read great books and write.

One exercise that can help is to pick some great writers whose style you admire. At least some of them should be contemporary. Once a week, copy a chapter from one of these books in longhand.

This exercise forces you to pay attention to every word and punctuation mark. It will imprint a sense of these writers' styles onto your subconscious. I advise doing this with a variety of writers, so you get a variety of styles.

I know it sounds dull work, but it is a much faster way to develop an understanding of how great sentences work than reading and writing alone.

While you're at it, have a dictionary handy and look up words you come across that you don't know.

In addition, there are some basic principles of style. The classic book Elements of Style may help you to recognize these principles in the examples you're working with.

Best of luck.

Solving writer's block.

by Joanna Foley

I need help solving writer's block. I have a very clear idea for a horror novel, which I have loosely plotted out from beginning to end. I have a good main character, another character who will draw him out and also become a love interest, and a few other secondary characters throughout who help move the story along in chapters the protagonist is not involved in. The main problem for me is that I have written the first few chapters, and am very happy with them- yet I seem to keep stalling!

I am not sure what type of writer's block I have, as I looked over the site and can not decide whether I am a pantser or a plotter, I seem to be somewhere in the middle. I believe my procrastination may be due to some fear deep down of writing something that no one will want to read, or worse still something I will end up not liking myself once it is done- do you have any advice for me?

Answer: Most people are not purely plotters or pantsers. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

That's why you should do as much plotting as it takes to feel confident enough to move forward, and no more.

So, if you are stuck because you don't know what direction the story should go next or your plot isn't working, or if you are not sure what the story is really about, you can spend some time working on your outline, which should include things like theme, the main character's story arc etc. in addition to the overall plot. Take time to let these issues sit with you until you feel clearer about your story.

On the other hand, if you are stuck because you are afraid your writing won't be good enough, then try to give yourself permission to write a bad first draft. Play with the story. Write different versions of some chapters. Experiment with a different voice or style.

Remember that any deficiencies can be fixed later, when you work on your second draft. You don't have to get it right the first time.

Some people like to work with a critique partner. If you have a friend who is also a writer and the two of you have mutual trust and respect, you can arrange to critique each other's first drafts. This can let you relax and say, "It's okay. My friend will tell me what needs fixing later. My job now is just to write."

Also, it may help to adopt the attitude that for now you are only writing for yourself - because you want the fun of writing and because you have a story that you are passionate about. After you have a solid second draft, you can consider showing it to others besides your critique partner and seeing what they think.

Of course, if the problem is that you have lost your passion for your story, try asking yourself what you could do that would make you get excited about it. Does the plot need a twist? Do the characters need a little flair? Is there an important issue that needs exploring? What can you do to turn it into the kind of story you always wanted to read?

As a last resort... It takes a lot of passion to work on a novel long enough to see it to completion. Don't waste your life on a story you feel no passion for. If you can't make the story into something you feel passionate about, you could always work on a different story for a while and come back to this one when your passion returns or when you have an inspiration regarding how to make it better.

what to write next

by Sybil
(michie tn mcnary)

Question: I am writing a book. I have my idea for the beginning and the end and for some what in the middle but I only have 20,000 words and I am at a loss for what to write next. I don't want to just end it but can seem to come up with nothing else to go with. What do you think I should do?

Answer: Most writers hate middles, because the problem you're having is very common.

I'm a strong advocate of outlines, because having an outline means you always know where you are heading.

You can check out this article for some help with outlines...

https://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/writing-an-outline.html

In particular, the article focuses on creating the 16 signposts that are the stepping stones for your story. These are the major turning points or stages of a complete story.

If you can work these out, you will have a good sense of what your middle is all about. Generally, the first four events are your beginning, the last four are your end, and the eight in the middle are the part that's giving you trouble.

If that's still not enough detail, bear in mind that any signpost can be turned into a sequence of three or four events - a beginning, complication, crisis, and resolution.

That would give you as many as 64 events - as many as most stories need. In fact, most people would think mapping out 64 events was overplanning. While there's some truth in that, it's better to have somewhat of a plan (even if you change it during the writing process) than have no plan and get stuck.

I also suggest you write each plot event on an index card, including the events for your subplots. Then spend some time putting these in order (adding or subtracting events if necessary) until you have a sequence you can write from.

Best of luck.

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