Goodreads asked Trae Stratton:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Trae Stratton When I hit a wall in a scene, more often than not it's my characters telling me I've taken a wrong turn. At times like that I back up a bit and a new direction usually presents itself. Chapter walls are much different. Forcing it never works for me, so it's essential I jot down possible plot elements and story ideas when they occur to me. If looking at my notes does not give me an answer for the wall, very often it provides the idea for the bridge to get me over it and on to the next scene. Failing that, means incubation and stirring the sauce of inspiration every so often while it sits on the stove and cooks. I turn it into a natural pause to recharge, look back and get some self editing done, or even do some research that I need down the road in the current story or the next. Then, before I know it, my characters will be tapping me on the shoulder and ready to get going again.

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