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H.L. Anderson

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August 2014

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

H.L. Anderson It would depend on the type of block. To me there are a few different kinds of writer's block.

In HOME, I needed a name for the hole left behind that …moreIt would depend on the type of block. To me there are a few different kinds of writer's block.

In HOME, I needed a name for the hole left behind that had once contained the ocean. I couldn't--for the longest time--figure out what to call it. I ended up giving a "place holder" name. I called it The Void. I hated that name, but I had to call it something until I could figure out a better name. Then I moved on with the story. Years later, (I wrote this book originally in high school then revamped it recently.) I decided to re-tackle that name.

I started with thinking of mythological names that were connected to water. I came up with Neptune, and since all that was left was a gaping hole in the ground, I added Hollow. Thus, Neptune's Hollow was born! I must say, I LOVE that name.

That's one type of block. I have several blocks similar to that. Can't figure out what a place looks like, or what a person looks like, or what they're wearing. I usually push on through the story and come back to flesh that out later.

I'll have "scene blocks" as well. I had a scene I wrote when a couple of my characters were floating out in space. They had a conversation that I HATED. It sounded forced and unrealistic, but I couldn't get past it. I couldn't make it better. I couldn't cut it, because of what had just happened, they needed a chance to chat. I just hated the conversation.

I also abandoned this for the longest time. I kept coming back to it again and again, but couldn't figure out what I needed to do to make it better. Then, one day, during a conversation with a friend, something she said clicked and a whole new conversation flooded my mind. I typed it up as soon as I got home and it was much better.

The biggie, the I-can't-figure-out-where-to-go-next writer's block is much harder to get past.

When I hit a wall like this I'll start by going back over what I've already written. I'll begin to polish it a bit, flesh it out a bit more, and by the time I get up to where I hit the wall I'll have fresh ideas.

If that doesn't work, I'll stop working on the current book and go work on another story for a while.

It's like when you're trying hard to remember something--it's on the tip of your tongue--but you can't quite get it--so, you go do something else and quit thinking about it. Suddenly, it pops into your head! It's like that. I work on another story, and suddenly all these ideas pop into my head for the first one!

Barring that, I'll put the book down for a while and go for a bike ride, play a game of disc golf, or get some other type of outdoor fresh air exercise. Exercise and fresh air are a great remedy for writer's block.

Well, now that I've rambled, I guess the short answer is, I avoid it until I'm forced to face it. :)

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What’s the best thing about being a writer?

H.L. Anderson I like so many things about being a writer, but I would have to say the best thing about being a writer is discovering the story.

For me, writing is v…moreI like so many things about being a writer, but I would have to say the best thing about being a writer is discovering the story.

For me, writing is very much like reading a book for the first time. The whole time I'm working on a manuscript I'm finding out things. I laugh when my characters make a joke and cry when they are sad. I'll even think things like, "Oh! I had no idea! That's awesome!" When the story takes a sudden unexpected turn.

The journey is the best part of just about anything. Writing is no exception. Enjoy the journey!

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H.L. Anderson’s books

Average rating: 4.44 · 9 ratings · 1 review · 5 distinct works

	Home 4.38 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2014 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Drifters it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2009 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Righteous President: A Political Fantasy 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Drifters II 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Home 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars