“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” –Anonymous
I really can’t relate to the author or authors who insist that writer’s block doesn’t exist. I know it does, because in my career it has hit me more than once. This last time it hit me pretty hard, and almost took me out of the writing picture completely.
I have advised other writers on dealing with writing block, and the first thing I tell them is to determine what is causing the problem. In my case, however, I had multiple issues, and a lot of self-doubt. Even after writing more than two dozen books, I wondered if my writing career was over.
The last resort in dealing with writer’s block is to just bull ahead. Application of seat of pants to seat of chair. Bully! My writing style is two-fold: first, I have learned to outline extensively before I write. I find that it helps me see the story more clearly in my head and the writing goes much faster. Second, I do what I call “immersive writing,” where I completely surround myself with the story and become totally absorbed in it. It annoys my wife to death, but she has accepted it, and it works for me.
But with the particular story I am working on, I have had major issues outlining it. I get a third of the way through the book and the story ends with a big question mark. And since I am trying something very questionable–two major storylines that are totally unconnected–it makes it even harder. That has made both me, and my writing colleagues, doubt whether the story will work.
But I have this idea in my head that I want to see happen, and so I am bulling ahead. I have completed the fourth chapter–48 pages in all–and shared it with my wife last night. She is one of my best critics and is very honest with me. She likes it, and is encouraging me to continue,
And that give me courage. And sometimes that’s all you need to forge ahead through and past writer’s block.
I will keep you posted.
Onward and upwards!
The Great Adventure 