A Writer's Worst Enemy

Today I am going to talk about a writer's worst enemy or at least the most common one. I mean writer's block. The thing that can steal a person's creativity and cause hours of frustration and anger. As of right now I really know of no cure. It's just one of those things that goes away eventually but is hard to get through when you are experiencing it.

As you probably guessed I am experiencing it right now. Its not because I haven't planned things because I have. I have my whole novel outlined from the first page to the last. I have numerous character biographies made as well what I want to happen throughout the whole trilogy. You would think I would have my first book finished already with the amount of planning I have done. But it sadly is not the case.

While I do not have a way to demolish writer's block completely, I do have a few things I do to lessen it's affect. The first thing I do is try to write a scene that matches my mood for that day. If I am excited I will write a scene that deals with excitement or even fear because sometimes those emotions can walk hand in hand. If I am happy I might write a scene that is more joyful or at least not depressing. If I were in a great mood while writing a funeral scene I don't think I would come even close to getting the mood right.

Another thing that can help fight the enemy is being your character for a short time. Does she love to draw. Then draw the way she would. Does he skate? Then go to a skate park and if it is too far out of your comfort zone to jump on a skateboard then watch the people that do. This might tell you a lot more about the character than you ever would have discovered on your own.

I think I mentioned last week about how I interviewed my character. This a great way to not only meet and learn more about your character but to also move your story along. No matter how ridiculous you feel doing it don't let that stop you from asking serious questions. Ask them about there background? Ask them what they think about politics, religion, morality, death, anything. Let them answer in a from true to who they are. Don't make them say what you want to hear if you know that is not who they are. You might also be surprised how they answer. You might plan to write them one way but have them become their own person with their own thoughts and ideas on life. In our world they do not exist except for words on a page. However, in their world they are just as real as you and me.

The ideas above are all things that help me fight writer's block. They let me see my story from a whole new side but they also add something new to my writing. They work to motivate me and help me remember why I am writing this book. I am not writing this because I want to be famous. Instead I write because I love it. I love to make new things and make new characters. I love to tell stories. Like I have said before. This is not the first story I have tried to write but it will be the one I will finish. I experience joy when I put words to the page and I want you to experience joy when you read them.

Have a great memorial weekend everyone. Thank you to all the people that have served and protected all the people on earth and that never made it home. Thank you for your bravery and your courage.