So I’ve hit a brick wall, well, not exactly; I have to take a break and think about what I want to do with the story I am writing and what I need to do to get back on track. I’ve written the first two chapters, but they are, well, to be honest, trash, and I need to scrap them and start over. However, if I do that, I will be behind more than I already am, so I need to soldier on. But I can’t. I’ve been staring at the blank page since yesterday, and I don’t know what I want to do.
Overcoming Writers’ Block During NaNoWriMo
Well, one way to overcome writer’s block is to free-write. That is what got me into the mess I am in. Most of the 4118 words I have so far came from freewriting. If I am sincere, it’s not all bad; it’s pretty good; it just needs to be more fleshed out.
Freewriting is simple: you pull up the blank page and set a timer, then write whatever comes to mind over the next ten minutes. It could be a grocery list, just a list of words. It may have nothing to do with your current work in progress.
Freewriting is meant to get the creative juices flowing again and get you back into the habit of writing. It is incredible if you are participating in NaNoWriMo and challenging yourself to write 50,000 words in 30 days. But the key thing you can take away is that you write every day, every other day.
Writing Prompts and Creative Exercises
Another way to overcome your writer’s block is to try some writer’s prompts. There is a fabulous book by Annette Elton for Romance writers that includes 100 prompts. That has helped me immensely, including giving me the idea for my follow-up to my current work.
One prompt in Elton’s book:
Your heroine, married to a Scottish kin, must produce an heir in order to take her rightful place in her kingdom. Unfortunately, the royal healer tells her that her husband isn’t capable of passing down his family’s genes, but his brother is. What does she do? What happens?
100 Prompts for Romance Writers– Annette Elton
Another prompt that I found on Reedsy is:
Mad Libs
Close your eyes and write down four adjectives at random. Now, write down three nouns. Now write down two verbs. Now write down one adverb. Now, open your eyes. Your challenge is to write a 500-word short story based off of these ten words.
Writer’s Block Writing– Reedsy
What I like about this second prompt is that it made me think about writing some adjectives and linking verbs down and sticking them to the wall in my office. Now, if I get stuck, I look at the list and think, can I pull one of those words and start a new paragraph or scene?
What are Some Other Options for Overcoming Writer’s Block
Take a walk, a hot bath, or give your mind a chance to rest. Exercise and relaxation can trigger the creative process and get you back to writing. If you find writing hard in your office, step outside and sit in the fresh air (if the weather allows it) or head to the coffee shop or library.
What are Some Ways You Overcome Writers Block
What have you found to overcome writer’s block? Do you free write using writer’s prompts or exercises? Physical exercise or relax, and eventually, the words start flowing again?
