By Mindy Obenhaus
Tell me if this has ever happened to you. You’re working on a manuscript, making all kinds of great progress, and then you get to the next scene and everything stalls. You know what’s going to happen, but the words just won’t come. It’s as though you’ve hit a brick wall and are helpless to move forward.
You step away from the computer. You
pace, pondering the scene, the opening line, yet your mind is blank. Or
whatever does pop in there sounds absolutely horrible.
You get frustrated. Everything was
flowing so smoothly. Now, it’s as though the words got jumbled together,
creating a clog somewhere along the way and not a darn thing is coming out.
What’s a writer to do? I mean, you have
a deadline. Even if you don’t, you want to keep pushing forward.
Take
a break – Do some chores. Something as mundane as sorting laundry
or doing dishes is often all it takes to get your brain moving in the right
direction. Or take a walk. Enjoy nature and allow the fresh air to clear your
mind.
Do
something creative – Creativity often spurs creativity.
Do you like to craft? Paint? Decorate? Cook? Or simply turn on the TV (I can’t
believe I just said that) and watch someone else be creative. Food Network,
HGTV, DIY Network, The Cooking Channel, YouTube. It’s all about stirring your
imagination and allowing that clog to start breaking apart.
Read
– Again, it’s all about getting your brain to focus on something else. There
may be one word in there that sparks your imagination and gets your juices
flowing again.
Talk
it out – This is one of my favorites, yet often the one I resort
to last. Why? Because I’m an idiot who likes doing things the hard way.
Whenever I mention to my husband that I’m stuck, the first thing he says is,
“Wanna talk about it?” To which I usually respond, “I’m not sure I can because
everything is so jumbled.” That never stops him, though. He’ll ask a question
about the scene and before I know it, I’m telling him the whole thing. The
simple act of verbalizing what’s happening almost always starts breaking down
that blockage. And by the time I’m done rambling, I’m ready to get back to the
computer.
Write
anyway – Grab a pen and paper and see what happens. Either the
scene you’re stuck on or something else. If it’s that scene, turn it every
which way and that, examining every angle, contemplating the approach that you
think will work best. Then pick one and just run write with it. Get the
scene out of your head and on the page. If it’s not right, you can always fix
it. But at least you’ve made it over the hump.
Getting things unstuck isn’t always
easy. It can take minutes, hours or days. And as frustrating as it may be, just
remember that, sometimes, it may just be God’s way of telling (okay, forcing)
us to take a break.
Have you ever found yourself stuck, in
writing or in life? Did you get frustrated or did you step back and do
something else? What helped you get those creative juices flowing again?
Three-time Carol Award nominee, Mindy Obenhaus,
writes contemporary romance for Love Inspired Books. She’s passionate about
touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes
adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending
time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com
Good morning, Seekerville! Coffee and tea are on and there's a lovely variety of muffins to choose from this fine day. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI.Love.Muffins!
DeleteDon't we all, Kathy? I have the muffin-tops to prove it. :P
DeleteI will take a lemon poppy seed or cranberry walnut. Oh, wait, they're virtual? I'll take both.
DeleteKathy, you're my kind of woman.
DeleteGood morning Mindy and thanks for a great post. As a pantster writer, my "stuck" is usually that I don't know what happens next. To my delight (but I have stopped being surprised) the words usually come to me when I force myself to start writing. I dont know where those words are coming from (or maybe I do!) that are flowing onto the page, but they're usually exciting. I have to keep writing to find out what happens next. I know plotters don't get this so much, but to me, it's one of the coolest things about writing. I look back and think "I wrote that?" No - i just typed the words.
ReplyDeleteCindy, isn't it great when we "power through" and He takes over? Love it when that happens.
DeleteSo glad you're on today. Let's look for each other at ACFW.
Plotters have to "power through" too, especially linear writers. I'm a plotter but I'm not linear, I tend to write what I have and then go back, find the gaps and stitch the whole thing together like a bad patchwork quilt.
DeleteCindy, I'm a pantser who is forced to plot. But even then, my characters sometimes decide to take detour. Which, inevitably, changes the course of other things, too.
DeleteBut it is an incredible feeling when God takes the control of the keyboard. His story is always better than anything we could ever tell anyway.
Yes, let's ALL look for each other at ACFW! :)
DeleteMindy - will you consent to having a picture taken with me at ACFW? I can't wait to meet you!
DeleteCindy, I would love have a picture with you!
DeleteMindy, you are so wise. I admit that after all these years of writing, most of it in print journalism, I don't get stuck that often. I had to train myself for when I was writing for daily papers and had tight deadlines, i.e. filing as soon as I got home from a meeting or an event. Trained myself to write the first couple of paragraphs, in my head, while I drove. This has carried over to my fiction writing. I sketch out scenes and conversations while I'm doing mindless home chores, taking my daily walk, or, yes, driving, which is why I have "points" on my license and am in a higher insurance bracket. I also have multiple projects going, and when I'm stuck on one I usually go to another, at least I'm working on something. THAT SAID, now that I'm contracted I'm marching to the beat of someone else's metaphorical drummer, and I will have to write/rewrite/edit things on demand and will use ALL your tips at some point or other.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you do just need to get away from it. I'm a "Seven Habits" girl and I make use of the late Stephen Covey's advice to "sharpen the saw." If we're sharpening it with family and friends, so much the better.
I've been and continue to be blocked in other areas of my life by other people's poor decisions that have affected me, but I have no control and rely on God to make a way through.
I'm in a strange, plateau-like state right now. It's still a year to my pub date. I'm limited in entering contests because I can't enter most "unpublished" contests, although some allow for contracted writers, and I can't enter "published" because I don't have a book to send in. I can do some general blogging, about the writing life, but I can't really blog about a book that isn't here yet. Finished the sequel to the contracted book, plus two books each in two other series (Mary C. always says "be ready," I'm going to have it stenciled on a shirt). Much to do, but also much waiting. It's like a two-year pregnancy. Oh, Seekers, Villagers, you may be the only ones who understand, this is such a strange but good time for me.
Kathy Bailey
In a good but weird place
I get that totally Kathy. This too shall pass. I can't wait to meet you in person at ACFW. We can start a new group - something like 'between the contract and the book'
DeleteOf course we understand, Kathy. We get that, long about month seven or eight in a nine month pregnancy you're ready to be done. But two years? Isn't that how long an elephant is pregnant? Oy.
DeleteBy the way, I'm going to print out your comment because you said I was wise. This is a first, Kathy. And the next time my children question me, I'm going to tell them their mother is wise and I have it in print so it must be true. ;)
You know, I should have included driving on my list of tips. I've gotten some of my best ideas on long road trips. Or solved some deep dilemmas. It's solitude. Just me, my Ford and God. No radio allowed. The hum of the road is that white noise that breaks open the fibers of the brain and allows things to flow.
I hope you're a better driver than I am.
DeleteLOL! Well, I have no points on my license, nor has my insurance gone up.
DeleteTwo year pregnancy!! LOL! That's a perfect description!
DeleteI'm also a driving plotter! Stay off the roads, people. ;)
Thank you, Missy. You're so human...
DeleteYou're in limbo... so when I was in limbo, I wrote/edited other stuff. That way I was freshening my brain even though my hands were tied temporarily...
DeleteThanks for sharing a great post! I have found that walking away and doing sonesomet else.
ReplyDeleteConnie, sometimes it is just best to walk away. For me, if that's followed by doing dishes, I'm usually able to get back on track.
DeleteGreat advice, Mindy! I have a small group of writer friends on speed dial for just this occasion. Every once in a while we either send or receive a desperate plea for help and happily spend the next hour talking it out. Amazingly, my best writing is done after helping someone else talk it out.
ReplyDeleteLeAnne, I couldn't agree more. Helping other people with their story almost always gets our own creative juices going. A welcome byproduct.
DeleteThat's definitely a great way to get help, LeAnne!
DeleteGreat tips, Mindy. Taking a walk is usually a great one for me to get unstuck.
ReplyDeleteNow I hope I can get unstuck on this cold or sinus infection or whatever it is that I can't get rid of. It started with a cold, was getting better, then turned into a nonstop cough and runny nose. I have a low fever, too. Also lost my voice, which makes it difficult to do my substitute teaching job. I am off to the doctor for the second time in a week and hope she has some relief for me.
Oh no, Sandy. I'm sorry you're sick. Colds are the worst, especially when they linger. And fever just makes you feel yuck. Praying the doctor will be able to help and that you'll be back to normal ASAP.
DeleteI'm sorry Sandy! I'm glad you're going to the doctor. Often when you start to get better but then get worse, it's a secondary bacterial infection. Maybe she'll give you some medicine that'll help.
DeleteI once totally lost my voice while subbing for my daughter's class (I think she was in 2nd grade at the time). It was the last week of school, so kids were wild. It was sooo difficult!! I hope you're better asap!
Sandy, so sorry. Late summer colds are the worst because you want to be outside enjoying the last of the season.
DeleteThanks, everybody. After nearly 3 hours in the doctor's office, I came home with an antibiotic and more prednisone. Had lunch and medicine, drinking some hot tea now, and maybe can get a nap.
DeleteMissy, you are so right about how difficult teaching is when you have no voice.
Yay, Sandy! I hope you were able to get that nap. Praying you will feel much, much better in tomorrow.
DeleteMindy, these are some great ideas! I've actually taken up painting to get my brain into creative mode. I'm really enjoying it! My work looks like a kindergartener did it, but hey, I'll get better! :)
ReplyDeleteMissy, just tell people you do abstracts. I mean, come on, have you seen some of those Picasso's?
DeleteHi Mindy:
ReplyDeleteI had advertising deadlines every day for years. What we copywriters did was just type anything that came into our heads until the right words started to flow. Sometimes we’d have to type three or four pages, single space, of nonsense before the right type of words would come. Even then the ‘right words’ would have to be edited but at least we had something to edit. Often the copy chief would make massive changes on the fly and all would be well. Of course, if you were the copy chief, you’d have to dip into your secret stash of great ideas!
I also like Mary’s idea of just shooting someone. That works every time but your sweet romance may become a suspense in the process. It’s good to grow.
Vince
I like your idea to write until it's right! Perfect!
DeleteVince, that's a whole different world. I don't think the boss would appreciate it if you told him/her that you were going to take a walk because the words just weren't coming. Goodness, you could be gone all afternoon. So, yes, sometimes it's best to just write. As we always say, you can't fix a blank page.
DeleteOh, and my editor does frown on people being shot in sweet romances. ;)
Wondeful post, Mindy. When stuck and the scene isn't working, getting out in the garden or taking a walk can many times help me organize my thoughts. But on nice days I spend far too much time away from the computer.
ReplyDeletePat, it is easy to allow procrastination or something more "fun" than writing to keep us away from the task set before us. This is where deadlines or accountability partners come in handy. Sometimes we just need the right motivation.
DeleteStill riffing on the odd limbo-like state that Cindy R. and I and other debut novelists are in...This would be a good time for me to be doing things around the old homestead here, cleaning closets, doing the floors, painting the odd corner and Shoring Up Things so I don't have to be bothered with house stuff when the writing career kicks into gear. But...I'd rather be writing. Or talking to writers.
ReplyDeleteKathy, it sounds to me like you might be doing a little procrastinating. I'm just not sure if it's on writing or all the other stuff you mentioned. Because the other stuff can wait. You know, until you find out someone is coming over and then you're motivated. ;)
DeleteI'm stuck. Perhaps one of your suggestions will give me that light bulb moment! I'll keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteOkay, Debby. Pick a suggestion, any suggestion. I'd say start with something easy and mundane like dishes or laundry and go from there.
DeletePlease tell me we all get stuck... because I know I do.
ReplyDeleteUsually it's because I need to either deepen the conflict OR that I didn't lay the groundwork for the conflict strongly enough.
But I also find that throwing things out at the Seekers... and listening to their advice... often gives me a nugget that puts me back in the right direction. Sometimes we just need our vision spurred....
And I look at that brick wall picture and all I can think of is Pink Floyd.... "We don't need no education!" :)
Ruthy, all in all, it's just another brick in the wall. :P Sorry, I couldn't resist.
DeleteYes, throwing things out to the Seekers is along the lines of talking it out with someone. Just several someones. But that input is so valuable.
And I can't speak for everyone else, but I know I get stuck. Like last week, which is what prompted me to write this post. Funny how that happens.
"Talk it out" is my go-to, and my daughter is my go-to person to hear all the things. I usually find that the words stop when I can't get at the emotion of the scene. My girl is great at asking the questions that relate to emotion, and the WHY. After that, the words usually flow better. :)
ReplyDeleteErica, I don't suppose you would be willing to share your daughter, would you? Or is she your secret weapon? ;)
DeleteShe is DEFINITELY a secret weapon. She's helped me talk through nearly every book.
DeleteWhat a great post, Mindy! When I'm stuck, I talk it out or "text it out" with my craft partner or a writing friend. It's so helpful to run ideas, answer their questions, and sometimes reframe my scene in a different light. Sometimes writing about the scene helps me, but sometimes that leaves me stuck.
ReplyDeleteA walk is often also good as it clears my head and gets me outside the four walls of my writing space.
Jeanne, I think talking it out and walks/fresh air seem to be the general consensus. For me, it's a process. The dishes, the laundry, fresh air... And the availability of my husband. If he's out on the tractor, there's no telling when I'll see him. :P
DeleteWeather permitting, I go outside for a short break. Fresh air does wonders for the brain!
ReplyDeleteIt sure does, Edwina.
Delete