Since the beginning of the year I’ve written two novels, a short story, a few articles and some ongoing courses for my Academy. I’m sure you’ll believe me when I say I know all about getting stuck and feeling like I’m blocked.
Actually, as you probably know, I don’t like to use the word blocked. Sounds far too permanent. Stalled is probably a better word. More accurate, less scary sounding.
I like to write an average of 500 words a day minimum and generally feel useless and miserable if I don’t achieve that figure. Now, I know, 500 words is quite low but I chose it deliberately because I believe achieving only a small amount is better than nothing at all. Plus, if I happen to write a couple of thousand one day - a creative spurt every once in a while - then that feels like a serious bonus.
As a long term consistent writer, I can confirm that navigating obstacles, blocks, and stalls is all part of the process of writing. In fact you could say you’re not writing properly unless you are plagued by the usual stops and starts that, though they seem debilitating at the time, are actually a necessary part of the creative process.
Nobody can be permanently positive and totally sure of themselves!
Indeed if a writer tells you they have no problem writing a lot all of the time, they’re probably doing it wrong!
As Joseph Wambaugh once said, “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than for most other people.” Which sounds about right.
So, to finally get to the point of this article, when you get stuck, what do you do?
ROAR.
First of all, much depends on why you’re stuck. You need to be honest with yourself and ask the hard questions, to which you might not like the answers.
Why do we get stuck? Let’s see.
1. You can’t write the next word
You’re too tired, stoned, or distracted. The answer? Go to bed or do something else. Watch TV, take a walk, or go out and party. Come back when you’re fresh.
2. You can’t write the next line
This is probably the most common complaint. Suddenly the writing seems too hard, something is not gelling or the whole thing seems forced, ridiculous, unconvincing or just well, boring.
Again, you’ve got to stop and ask yourself why this is happening. Examine your feelings. Usually your gut will know what’s wrong and what you really can’t face is fixing the problem. Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t hate yourself or make any rash decisions about your work. Simply stop and take time out to reflect. At this point I may go do some housework, chop some wood for the fire, or drive somewhere pretty.
Ask yourself: Why am I feeling blocked?
Usually the first thing that comes to mind will be the correct answer.
Often you’ll find you’ve written yourself into a corner. Something you wrote previously has created a metaphorical stop in the forward motion. You may need to go back and brush away the dirt, change a line or two, delete a section, to fix a problem to help present you with forward motion again.
3. You can’t write the next paragraph
This is a different type of problem and is usually caused because you have no plan. Here is where you stop to brainstorm. Make 5 or 6 quick dot points about the things you want to cover in the next paragraph. Either plot points, observations or simply a thought process. I find this technique useful for creating forward motion quickly. If it doesn’t work for you, move on, pick up the project from a later point and vow to come back on completion of the manuscript. Don’t get stuck over things that might turn out to be unnecessary or inconsequential. And don’t let yourself get diverted into tributaries. Stay focused on the main goal.
4. You can’t write the article, speech or lesson
I use the following technique all the time. Write anything, crap, general nonsense, random thoughts. Just let your brain vomit on to the page, make a mess, until you find the symmetry of a thought process. At that point, recognize that you may have accidentally hit upon a beginning and an end, two thoughts that complement each other. When that happens, delete the rubbish, polish out the crap, add sections that make more sense of the thought process, and then augment the flow by editing until the writing is succinct and clear. Keep polishing until you have created a diamond. Sorted.
5. You can’t start a new project
This is where AI can be useful. When I’m stuck for a beginning I’ll turn to Sudowrite and ask the program to come up with the first paragraph for my book, short story, or article. Usually the suggested 200 words are so bad I’ll start to edit and delete what I don’t like. Before you know it, I’m writing!
6. You don’t feel like writing at all
Seriously, you really need to ask yourself why. Start at the most obvious place: you’re not really a writer, you’ve just been fooling yourself, you’re a fraud…
How does that make you feel? Move up the ladder.
You’re having a bad week and you can’t see a way out of your busy life, your current illness, your annoying friends and family. None of the above?
Perhaps you’re just confused about your own project and you’ve forgotten your original goals. Reassess and restart. Never be afraid to throw stuff away. To be able to completely delete everything and start again is the mark of true professionalism.
I’m looking at my word count now and realize if I carry on I’ll be making this article too long, so I’ll stop.
Remember, when you’re stuck, ROAR: Remove Obstacle and Resume.
See you next week.
Till then,
Keep Writing!
Rob Parnell’s Writing Academy
