Getting Your Novel Unstuck

So, I’m writing along on my novel and realize that I don’t quite know what happens next. I’m STUCK!

What next?

Work on a different section. Often, I look around the story and find something else to work on. Maybe, I can move forward a couple planned chapter and work on developing details of the setting. Perhaps, one character’s backstory is think and needs work. While the brain is busy with a side issue, your sub-conscience has time to reflect on the real problem.

In other words, I am still working on the story, but I’m avoiding the problem section for a while, giving my sub-conscience time to work on the problem. Or, maybe I’ll just come back when I’m fresher and can tackle the problem.
Stuck Novel?

Take a walk. A break is often a good strategy. Doing something active helps the mind take a break.

Tackle it straight on. When I am ready to tackle it straight on, lists usually help. My favorite is to create a sensory details list.

My goals are dual: avoid a full-blown writer’s block and make progress of some kind. I work on alternate tasks that need attention–and give the stuck area room to breathe. And almost always, I come back with solutions or at least ready to work on the problem.

2 thoughts on “0

  1. I’ve had writer’s block for sometime now! My first detective story is published, but all of a sudden Pow! writers block crawled into my thoughts and blocked it and this is excitedly what I’ve been looking for Getting your Novel Unstuck” Thank you.

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