Brainstorming

Did you ever have one of those days when your imagination is as lazy as a sleeping cat?  That was me yesterday.

I had picked up a writing project I’ve had on hold for a while.  It’s Stagecraft, the sequel to Stage Fright, and for days, I’ve been anxious to get back to it.  Of course, the moment I booted it up on my computer, I couldn’t think of a thing to write.

I’d left my vampire killer in the hospital ER, and I knew that trouble was lurking outside, but I couldn’t figure out what came next.  (I think I’d spent too much time on my edits for Straight to Heaven.)  My mind was like a television with the power turned off.  I sat by the computer for nearly twenty minutes without thinking of a thing.  Finally, I gave up.

That night, I came back to it again.  Only this time, instead of staring at the empty Word document, I put on my favorite ambient music and started to doodle a chibi (a kind of mini-Manga that I think is so cute.)   I’m no artist, believe me, but keeping my hands busy let my mind drift.  This time, after twenty minutes, I knew exactly where the story went next.

The biggest part of dealing with writer’s block is learning to relax.  Instead of forcing the words out, open your mind and move on to other pursuits.  The story will eventually come.  In warm weather, I’d go for a walk or work in the garden.  In winter, I’ll draw (badly) or knit or even bake.  Anything to keep myself occupied while at the same time letting my thoughts run free.