I sometimes think Writer’s Block should be called Writer’s Clock, the awareness of time ticking by in the real world as I stare at the blank page each day. I’m annoyingly aware of appointments to keep, meals to cook, people to contact, deadlines to make–all time-related activities. The best advice I’ve ever received is to… Read more »
Posts Tagged: writing process
How to Conquer Writer’s Block: Tip 7
JUST BEGIN I’m always asked where I get my ideas as an author. But I think a more important question is “How does an idea begin?” The story or plot doesn’t arrive fully formed. It begins as an image or character trait, something quite rudimentary, story-wise. ONE DAY AND ONE AMAZING DAY ON ORANGE STREET… Read more »
How to Conquer Writer’s Block: Tip 6
I gave myself a wonderful gift last month. I found a nook in my home that I’ve set up only for creative writing. Nothing in that space reminds me of other things I have to, such as pay bills, answer correspondence, make To Do lists. It’s true that my “Desktop” is always on my computer…. Read more »
How to Conquer Writer’s Block: Tip 3
Whatever your faith, or not, there is a writer’s kind of faith that I believe you have to have. It’s a trust, a promise to yourself and your manuscript, that details and ideas and character and plot and theme will come together if you just let go and experience that first rough draft. This faith… Read more »
How to Conquer Writer’s Block: Tip 2
LOVE THE DETAILS Details are the stuff of writing. Who knew that a fake little diamond on the very first page of draft one would be a facet of my story throughout? I never know what detail will emerge in my rough draft to connect with other details later on, which is why I have… Read more »
How to Conquer Writer’s Block: Tip 1
GET IT DOWN, THEN FIX IT UP! I am in the process of working on rough drafts of my children’s novel “A Cat Called Zook”. I really believe in Anne Lamott’s process of “just getting it DOWN” no matter how awful that draft seems to be, just to see the potential of my story. Amazing,… Read more »