It's a combination of taking a number of small breaks while also remembering to stay focussed that really keeps me motivated. It's easy to get sidetracked and start working on other things, but keeping a goal in mind and constantly pushing towards it works for me.
@marygeorge2467
Жыл бұрын
Such wonderful ideas, Alyssa. One of the best tips I ever stumbled upon was to write a 500-word sentence when beginning a new scene. Just commas and dashes, phrases broken up with dialogue - maybe - and this free form, period-less ramble allowed me an outpouring of where my character was, who she was with, if they said anything or not. The 500 word sentence in comic sans? Damn. I'll try that!
@AlyssaMatesic
Жыл бұрын
What a fun suggestion!
@rowan7929
Жыл бұрын
When I get stuck, I just take a break. Either watch something, play a game or sleep over it. This worked really well for me.
@katcooperwrites
Жыл бұрын
Sometimes, all it takes is a little break from your WIP in order to refresh and recharge your creative battery. I'll watch movies, reread some of my favorite books, etc... getting a good night's rest is also important! Other times, if I'm truly stuck, I'll go to my husband. I'll bounce ideas off him, or I'll let him read the part I'm currently working on, and almost every time he has an idea or suggestion that helps me get back into the story!
@AlyssaMatesic
Жыл бұрын
These are great suggestions!
@UrbanSwagger
Жыл бұрын
Great tips. I like the one about changing your font. I've found I do some of my best writing while driving or in bed trying to sleep. I've learned to always have paper, pen, and flashlight at the ready.
@kwgrqog
Жыл бұрын
Switch your font to comic sans when writing. Seriously. I thought it was a joke when I first heard about that trick. Then, I gave it a shot in a moment of desperation. I'm still blown away by how well it worked.
@dueling_spectra7270
Жыл бұрын
I don't use comic sans anymore; instead, I found a font that's cramped and extra curly which makes the vowels practically illegible. The whole idea is to use something that keeps you focused on the next idea you're putting down instead of rereading what you've just written.
@kwgrqog
Жыл бұрын
@@dueling_spectra7270 that's an awesome idea. If you remember the name of the font, do you mind sharing? I would definitely like to try that one!
@andyclark3530
Жыл бұрын
I've turned this over quite a bit. Frankly, I've wondered if there isn't a hole in my writer's psyche because I don't get writer's block. Sure, sometimes I have to push myself, but in all the years I've been writing, I've never sat down and had the words fail to come to me. And many of the very solid suggestions everyone gives for these - I don't do those. It's possible that in the course of throwing something like a million words at the page, I just haven't been at it this long enough, but I think there's a different story. I love writing, especially drafting, and take joy in it. I wonder if that's something that gets missed in advising writers. The majority of writers (like 99%) will not make money from it, so it really should be fun. Unfortunately, I don't know how to turn this into very useful advice. If you don't find the process of crafting a story, getting to know imaginary characters, and pouring words out onto a page-I don't know how to tell you to fix that. Other than to say, give yourself permission to enjoy all these things and maybe think a little bit about what you do enjoy in the process.
@thatguyfromcetialphaV
Жыл бұрын
Best advice for writers' block: go away and do something you love, whether that be watch TV, play a sport, cook a meal. It's a great recharge.
@alancook9102
Жыл бұрын
Thank you A. Very helpful. When writing it can help to write on multiple fronts - don't restrict yourself to pursuing a single linear line. Look at the story from different viewpoints so there will be always be lots of places to engage and take ideas further. That might also provoke new leads, ideas, characters, approaches. There's always something to do, somewhere to go.
@AlyssaMatesic
Жыл бұрын
Well said!
@alancook9102
Жыл бұрын
@@AlyssaMatesic Thanks for that A. Funnily enough I've just mins ago hopefully finished my own first book effort. Wow it's like grappling with a bear! The trouble is I'm a perfectionist Take care.
@dueling_spectra7270
Жыл бұрын
I ask myself questions to get unstuck too, but the ones I use are different. They're focused on the next scene. I make a point of going into the document every day, to see where I am, then ask, What do my characters need to do next to accomplish their next objective? Do they need to go somewhere for that? Do they need to learn a new piece of information for that? Are my characters going to have personally conflicts in the next screen? What are my character's motivations and emotional state? Should it be slow or fast paced for where it is in the book? Is the block, my subconscious saying that there's an alternative way for this to play out that'd be better? And if I get through the questions and still have nothing, I ask, is this really writer's block or has the brain fog kicked in?
@wiggleworm5423
Жыл бұрын
Can I just say when you start thinking of your writing as art, I just love the idea. Because I love to draw but when I put expectations on it it doesn't come out as well.
@joshuafurtado2299
Жыл бұрын
This is what I needed. Thank you. I'm about 1/2 through my first draft, and I'm in the middle slump, trying to get things moving again.
@AlyssaMatesic
Жыл бұрын
Best of luck, Joshua!
@melvindodson6827
Жыл бұрын
I would like to try to write a book
@rowan7929
Жыл бұрын
Just do it. I had no idea either what I was doing. I just started. There are groups on Facebook where you will find support too. That's how I learned more and more. Improving my writing a lot.
@azrielackerman4659
Жыл бұрын
My advice is to just keep writing. A professional can't afford to stop just because it gets hard, unfortunately. Unless you're George RR Martin
@BoneistJ
Жыл бұрын
Not only can GRRM afford to stop, he can afford to stop, start another book and then not finish that one either.
@azrielackerman4659
Жыл бұрын
@@BoneistJ Bahahah so true
@andyclark3530
Жыл бұрын
I've forgotten who, but there is a famous author who once said, "I only write when I feel like it, and I feel like it at 6:00 am every morning." A habit is a powerful thing. I don't think I've ever had writer's block, possibly I'm not creative enough for that 😀 What I do struggle with is finishing the revision process, partially because I'm really good at shutting down my inner editor when I draft, so what I do needs lots of editing. But I think I'm also a little afraid of what comes after I finish revising. Then I get to go through the querying process and start the process of marketing myself as an author. The second particularly intimidates me. Maybe I need to develop a habit for it...
@giovannijacobs4496
Жыл бұрын
I think it take s a break. I'm going through a depression because of fighting with my own writing, and you need to take a step back and live life and read.
@giovannijacobs4496
Жыл бұрын
I do agree with reading in different genres though. It can really be a spark of new life.
@maryamhaamedian-beard856
Жыл бұрын
Awesome video thank you. I myself usually just leave writing if I can’t bring myself to write something new, I always find my motivation when I listen to music and the lyrics can really inspire me. (Usually songs I’ve never heard before) Is anyone else on here writing? My dream is to be a published author and I’m currently working on a potential debut manuscript. Let me know if you’re in the same boat and if you wanna talk about it 🙂
@abesapien9930
Жыл бұрын
Frankly, I think there are far too many "writers." If you're struggling to death to come up with ideas, then why have you chosen a creative profession? If ideas don't easily flow for you, then stick with journalism, or biography, or research, or non-fiction, all which can be very rewarding in their own right. Overall, I think far too many people want to be a writer out of vanity and arrogance, and don't naturally enjoy anything about writing itself.
Пікірлер: 29