Getting Past the Blank Page

 

Haveyou ever opened up a fresh document on a computer screen and then simply staredat it, unable to think of a single word to write? Been there, done that.Sometimes, when it’s time to begin a new proposal, I feel like it’s the firstbook I ever wrote. I have no clue how to start.

I’msure many of us have felt this way. Having a deadline puts some pressure onyou. One way or another, you have to get something worth reading to an editorby a certain time. If there’s one thing that makes me cringe, it’s the thought ofmissing a deadline. I recently went through this very process. So how can you jumpstartyour brain to produce those first few chapters or an outline? I’ve made a listof some of the things that help me.

1.     Characters:I often start with my characters. I find pictures that fit my image of them andthen I try to figure out some basic facts about them. Age, occupation, biggest fearor challenge, and what is their goal and motivation. Often, this is enough toget me thinking.

2.     Freewriting:Sometimes, I will sit at my computer and write whatever comes to mind until Icome up with something that I can work with. It usually takes a good ten orfifteen minutes to get anything, but it helps get the creative juices flowing.

3.     Talkingout loud: On beautiful days, I will go for a walk around my yard and talk outthe possible plot twists or events I might use. Sometimes just hearing myself talking about thestory will solidify in my mind what needs to happen.

4.     Notecards: I got this idea from a workshop I attended by James Scott Bell. He saidtake a stack of notecards and write down as many ideas as you can of eventsthat might happen in the story as fast as you can. Then go through them andpick out the ones that might work.

5.     Brainstormingwith peers: I have a group of writer friends I brainstorm with via Zoom ormessenger. We talk about plot twists and conflicts and anything that needs tobe refined or strengthened. It helps to have others to bounce ideas off of.

 

Theseare just some of the things I do to help myself when I find I’m stuck whilewriting. What do you do when you have a problem you need to figure out?

Iam giving away one copy of Crime Scene Witness to a commenter.

Finding a safe haven

is the only way to stay alive

When crime scene cleaner Lissa Page discovers a clue at a murder site, she’s attacked and becomes the killer’s new target. Now Deputy US Marshal Micah Bender must protect the single mother from becoming another victim. But with threats coming from every direction, Micah needs to hide Lissa—and the Amish community he left behind might be the answer to keeping his witness safe.

 

 

Dana R. Lynn is a bestselling, award winning author of several genresincluding romantic suspense, Amish romance, women’s fiction, romantic mystery andRegency romance who believes in the power of God to touch people throughstories. She met her husband at a wedding in Pennsylvania and told her parentsshe had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married.Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania and are entering the world of emptynesters. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes storiesof romance and danger at night. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinkschocolate should be a food group. Readers can contact her or sign up to receiveher monthly newsletter at  www.danarlynn.com.