Troubleshooting Writer’s Block
Every story I’ve written has at least one element that left me stumped. As frustrating as that may be, I find that part of the joy of writing, and the creative process, is the challenge. Your craft improves when you regularly face and find creative solutions to your storytelling. Here are the techniques I use to break through blocks and troubleshoot my stories:
Identify The Problem
Reflect on the project. This could be a journal entry in your project notes. What are you seeing on the page? Where are you stuck? What is your perceived problem? Being as specific as possible about the issue can often lead to a clear solution.
Research
Research can help you fill-in plot details or world building you don’t know, and it can help you generate more ideas for your story. However, don’t let research become a tool for procrastination or method for fighting off impostor syndrome. Get the research you need for your story, then move on.
Reference
Consider the art, music, or movies that inspired your project. What are the techniques the creator used to achieve a particular feeling? How might you be able to create that feeling with words or language?
Mine Your Story
Refer to your draft for any details that can be reused. You may find they fit more effectively and intuitively than introducing new ideas. It’s also a way to create a Chekov’s Gun, a dramatic principle that a gun introduced in Act 1 must go off by Act 3.
Repetition
As you’re mining your story, consider any established motifs, such as imagery or lines of dialogue. Is there a motif that can be repeated to provide new meaning at different points of the story to the characters or your audience?
Rest
When all else fails and you still can’t work through the issue, take some time to step away and let the manuscript—and yourself—rest. Taking an intentional break can give you a fresh perspective on the project and how to resolve the problems. It also helps to schedule regular breaks throughout the production process so you can gain that perspective as you work.
These exercises are included in “From Song to Story: How To Write a Short Story Based On a Song.” For more information, visit the course page or try the first two exercises!