Topic of the Week - Quicksand
Wow, where did the day go? Ever since I started exercising (last Wednesday), there's so much less time for the important things in life. Like Topic of the Week.
wandereringray asked a question that will send a pang of post-traumatic stress through any writer:
I'm curious to know what folks do when they get stuck (as in the story isn't working) or when something unexpected happens that's going to majorly impact the plot.
Do you stick it out and keep writing? Go for a walk/run/etc. Call a Critique Partner to talk it over?
We've all been there. Some writers are there almost every day. It's tough. But when a deadline is looming (whether it be a personal deadline or editorial one), we can't just give up. We have to find a way to get the story "unstuck."
Do you stare at the screen until something comes? Force out your daily word count even though it could be wrong? Take a break to rest your mind and try again later? Do you go back to the drawing board (an outline, synopsis, or some other exercise like a character interview worksheet)? Do you go it alone or brainstorm with another writer or reader?
Does anyone have a surefire way that works for them every time? Or does each patch of creative quicksand need its own escape mechanism?
(Note: I think for the Topic's purposes we should distinguish being stuck on a particular story from the more generalized condition of "writer's block," where one experiences a total inability to write anything. That's a whole 'nother topic.)
As always, leave your thoughts in comments, and Members and Watchers alike are welcome to share.
Have a great week! What's left of it, anyway.
--Jeri Smith-Ready
wandereringray asked a question that will send a pang of post-traumatic stress through any writer:
I'm curious to know what folks do when they get stuck (as in the story isn't working) or when something unexpected happens that's going to majorly impact the plot.
Do you stick it out and keep writing? Go for a walk/run/etc. Call a Critique Partner to talk it over?
We've all been there. Some writers are there almost every day. It's tough. But when a deadline is looming (whether it be a personal deadline or editorial one), we can't just give up. We have to find a way to get the story "unstuck."
Do you stare at the screen until something comes? Force out your daily word count even though it could be wrong? Take a break to rest your mind and try again later? Do you go back to the drawing board (an outline, synopsis, or some other exercise like a character interview worksheet)? Do you go it alone or brainstorm with another writer or reader?
Does anyone have a surefire way that works for them every time? Or does each patch of creative quicksand need its own escape mechanism?
(Note: I think for the Topic's purposes we should distinguish being stuck on a particular story from the more generalized condition of "writer's block," where one experiences a total inability to write anything. That's a whole 'nother topic.)
As always, leave your thoughts in comments, and Members and Watchers alike are welcome to share.
Have a great week! What's left of it, anyway.
--Jeri Smith-Ready