Working Through Writer’s Block by Rachel Rossano

Writer’s block impedes the best of us. Life, circumstances, lack of sleep, or an uncooperative brain create slumps in my writing productivity frequently. When the situation gets really bad, not one of my three or more projects grabs my interest. At those times, I work through my list of tactics, hoping one of them will renew the creative spark. Here are my favorites.

1) Read, read, read and read some more – The written word inspires. Well written books, contain insights into the craft. A well-turned phrase, flowing description, or poignant moment between characters demonstrates so much more than the best self-help book. Read the masters, the best sellers, and the authors excelling in the genre you wish to master. Enjoy and analyze. Why does a specific phrase stir you? What is it that catches your attention? How do they build the suspense or craft the hook?

If that doesn’t inspire, pick up a book that stinks. Read enough clunky prose and the artist in you will revolt, declaring to the world “I can write better than this!” The dangling plotlines, inadequate backstories, or stunted dialogue might get you itching to try your hand at the same bit. Continue where they left off. Rewrite the scene. Go for it. Follow the inspiration. It might lead to your next project.

2) Watch, watch, watch – Almost everyone likes movies. Great films or poor, they spark a response in us. Pull out a favorite or try a new one. Figure out why you like it or hate it. How could you elicit the same reaction with words? How would you describe the hero’s walk? Describe the movie in ten words. Was the writing strong? Did the dialogue grip? What did they leave out? What did they put in? Did the manner the words were spoken change the meaning? What was significant about the screenwriter’s word choice? Why did the director select the actors’ placement? Can you learn a technique you can use in your writing?

3) Free Write – Computer, notepaper, ruled paper, whatever your preference, grab it and start writing. Turn off your internal editor. Banish that part of you who screams at passive verbs and cringes at adverbs. Tell it to go get a cup of coffee. Then start writing. Don’t plan, write! Put words on paper, any words, ramble, split infinitives, and let your thoughts go. See what becomes of it.

4) Research – Pick an area of interest and start researching. Follow a trail of ideas or seek out the answer to a question you always wondered about. No matter how strange or mundane, get poking and see what you turn up. Even if you don’t find anything interesting, you will know a bit more than you knew before.

5) Read unfinished work – Pick up an old project or your current project and read from the beginning. Read it like a reader. Immerse yourself in the story. Enjoy it the way you hope the reader will. When you get to the end and are inspired to write more, go with it. If you aren’t, set the project aside and try another tactic.

6) Walk away – We all need to take a break sometimes. Walk away. Do something completely different. Fold laundry, wash dishes, clean a closet, mop a floor, or mow the lawn. Mindless activity will give your mind time to veg or wander. Even brains need down time.

7) Don’t Stress –  Whatever you do, don’t stress about it. Inspiration comes and goes. I have laid aside writing for long periods, but I always come back. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiasties 3:1 NASB)

I hope the words flow smoothly for you soon. May you recapture your fire. Don’t despair; there will come an end.

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Rachel Rossano is a constructor of sentences, a creator of metaphors, a painter of word pictures, and a storyteller. Or, at least she attempts to be one. Producing novels, novellas, and short stories, she endeavors to enchant, thrill, entertain, and amuse through her writing. You can learn more about Rachel on her website and on her Amazon.com author page.[subscribe2]

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