Thomas Greanias
I just don't write. Seriously. I know as a "pro" we are supposed to write every day. But if I'm feeling so much resistance that I'm "blocked," then I know at some fundamental level the story just isn't working for me. So I do something else. For a minute. A day. A week. Sometimes years on big projects I just haven't "cracked" yet.
Usually the answer or direction comes soon enough, though.
To be clear, I'm talking about deciding what my "next" major book or series or will be. I just don't think writers should be throwing crap out into ether. (Trust me, even your Big Five publisher won't care if you've got the sales track record and will just want to put something under your name out every year, so you have to be on your guard unless you're a total hack.) Now it's OK if you like your crap and it actually turns out to be crap. Happens all the time. But not OK if you or your publisher need to put "something" out there. Better to have something to say than to simply say something.
As for writer's block in the middle of a novel, it always happens and you stick with it until you get through. Yes, even if you need to take a mini break. But even writers who meticulously outline eventually get "lost" somewhere in the middle of their book.
Rather than a map or formula, I use what I call "The Creators Compass." It has four cardinal points: Character, Conflict, Choices and Consequences. I've taught it to fourth grade classes it's so simple. If enough people want me to explain further here I can. But it's pretty self-explanatory and usually helps me get out of the woods when I get lost in the middle of a novel.
Usually the answer or direction comes soon enough, though.
To be clear, I'm talking about deciding what my "next" major book or series or will be. I just don't think writers should be throwing crap out into ether. (Trust me, even your Big Five publisher won't care if you've got the sales track record and will just want to put something under your name out every year, so you have to be on your guard unless you're a total hack.) Now it's OK if you like your crap and it actually turns out to be crap. Happens all the time. But not OK if you or your publisher need to put "something" out there. Better to have something to say than to simply say something.
As for writer's block in the middle of a novel, it always happens and you stick with it until you get through. Yes, even if you need to take a mini break. But even writers who meticulously outline eventually get "lost" somewhere in the middle of their book.
Rather than a map or formula, I use what I call "The Creators Compass." It has four cardinal points: Character, Conflict, Choices and Consequences. I've taught it to fourth grade classes it's so simple. If enough people want me to explain further here I can. But it's pretty self-explanatory and usually helps me get out of the woods when I get lost in the middle of a novel.
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