Writer's Wednesdays: Got writer's block on your NaNoWriMo novel plotting? The solution!
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Writer’s block. That horror of horrors, that hideous beast writers live in terror of…
Despite numerous people insisting there is no such thing, the truth is that sometimes, we writers get a little stuck on ideas.
Like… Really stuck.
Like, bang-head-on-wall-twenty-times stuck.
Yeah, writer’s block isn’t pretty, and can lead to insanity, staring at the screen (or typewriter, or blank sheet of paper, or napkin) for hours on end, excessive social media usage, researching random things on the internet, procrastination, or even wanting to give up writing altogether.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, please consult the below headline for a brain recharge.
Try a brainstorm
“Yeah, yeah,” you say. “I’ve tried that. Goodbye, J.P.. I’m off to find a better blog!”
Okay, fair enough. That title is rather vague. What I meant to say was,
Try a successful brainstorm
“What?” You growl angrily. “The addition of one little word means nothing! Goodbye!”
Hold on! Let me explain. A lot of people brainstorm incorrectly. They plop themselves down in front of the computer, place their fingers on the keyboard, and stare at the blank document until an idea forms in their mind.
Then they write it down.
Then dismiss it immediately as a stupid idea.
Then delete it.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with doing your brainstorm this way. I’ll bet that there have been some very successful ideas out there that were born from this method. But there’s a much more efficient way of doing things.
I have a number of rules for brainstorming, and I’d like to introduce them to you now.
Rule number one!
Don’t ever, ever, ever dismiss your ideas and throw them in the garbage. Nu-uh. That’s not how we do things here anymore, no siree!
Every idea has value, every idea has worth. Some are simply a little harder to work with than others. Just because an idea doesn’t seem right to you right now doesn’t mean that you can’t use it.
Rule number two!
You are not restricted to the computer or notebook when brainstorming!
Let me say this again, just to be sure it sticks.
You are not restricted to the computer or notebook when brainstorming!
Forcing yourself to remain in one space and stare at that infamous blank page can and will remind you that you can’t think of a thing. One of the simplest ways to trigger your brain juices is a switch of venue, so to speak.
That’s right, you’re allowed to wander! Go to the bowling alley! Sit in the middle of your backyard! Travel to your nearest coffee shop! The possibilities are endless!
However, there is one exception to this realm of possibilities, and which is discussed in the next rule…
Rule number three!
No social media! If you’re scrolling through your Facebook (or Twitter, or whatever you people are using nowadays), then you’re not thinking about your novel, are you? You’re thinking about such-and-such’s post, or how nifty that home remodel looks, or your friend’s new puppy, or…
Turn it off. Delete if you have to. But be rid of it while you’re brainstorming, whatever it takes!
The same goes for other apps or websites that keep you scrolling and scrolling and scrolling and scrolling and scrolling and scrolling and scrolling—
…
…
Sorry. I was on my Pinterest. There were some lovely pizza recipes that I saw, and had to take a look at, and then I saw some cool game room remodeling ideas…
Ahem…
Anyways, spending some time away from the social media will do your ol’ brain some good. Put your phone away while you’re writing, and you’ll likely see much better results.
Rule number four!
Random tasks can and will be done!
It might seem strange, considering the condemnation of social media above, but random, repetitive tasks such as dishes or pulling weeds can work wonders on a tired, uncooperative brain.
Rule number five!
Immerse yourself in other worlds!
And I don’t just mean books. Video games, movies, poems—all are excellent ways of getting the juices flowing. Let the storytelling of other writers boost your own.
A character may say something, or you might just start asking yourself “what if such-and-such did this instead…”
And boom! You’ve got a story.
Rule number six!
Allow yourself to daydream! Sometimes, it is hard to think about writing and only about writing. Especially when there’s bills to pay and papers to write and that cashier looked at me kind of funny and they probably don’t like me and chores to do and milk to pick up and books to read and emails to be terrified of and more papers to write and more chores to do and you remember that time and third grade and more bills to pay and all the fruit’s gone bad and… And… And…
*Wheezing breath*
Let yourself relax; trust me, it’s a lot easier to write when you don’t have to think about anything else. Do yoga. Drink some tea. Go on a walk. Pet your dog.
Do what you need to to calm down, in other works. Life is hectic; it’s made that way. And remember that if you absolutely have to, it’s okay to take a break from writing. The story isn’t going to bite you if you do.
Once you’ve cleared your mind of worries (at least, for the most part), then try brainstorming again. Follow the random storyline in your head that you work on occasionally. Doodle. Think of who you might want to play your characters or what music you want played in the movie adaptation.
Enjoy writing for what it is! Be a writer!
You know you are one, so why not?
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