James Houston Turner
In my case, writer's block comes when I don't know where I'm going with the story. Sometimes, it occurs when I'm distracted or tired, or just don't feel like writing. But most of the time, it happens when I feel lost or stumped. If something else is going on in life that steals my focus, I figure out what it is and correct it. I can then get back to the business of writing.
To help prevent my usual source of writer's block, which isn't often, I outline my stories so that I always know where I'm going with it. My ending is the "north star" that keeps me on course. Everything points to that ending, even though I allow myself considerable latitude with character development between the opening and ending.
The other day, I worked ALL DAY on one page. That was not writer's block. It was badly written text, and I had to suck it up and work it out. And I did. That is a normal part of being a writer, and when it happens, you push through and keep at it until you get it right.
On those occasions when I DO have an outline and yet can't get in the rhythm, I edit what I've already written. It gets me back in step with the story with the added benefit of polishing my existing text. I compare it to sanding a tabletop. Each "pass" with the sandpaper - each "grit" from coarse to fine - gets me closer to that final shine.
But let's not forget there are simply times when we don't feel like writing. When that happens, I take a break and go for a walk or a bicycle ride or out for drinks or dinner, or to a movie, or take a couch potato day. In other words, I refresh.
Bottom line: to the best of my ability, I stay organized, disciplined, flexible, consistent, and persistent. When I am, writer's block almost never occurs.
To help prevent my usual source of writer's block, which isn't often, I outline my stories so that I always know where I'm going with it. My ending is the "north star" that keeps me on course. Everything points to that ending, even though I allow myself considerable latitude with character development between the opening and ending.
The other day, I worked ALL DAY on one page. That was not writer's block. It was badly written text, and I had to suck it up and work it out. And I did. That is a normal part of being a writer, and when it happens, you push through and keep at it until you get it right.
On those occasions when I DO have an outline and yet can't get in the rhythm, I edit what I've already written. It gets me back in step with the story with the added benefit of polishing my existing text. I compare it to sanding a tabletop. Each "pass" with the sandpaper - each "grit" from coarse to fine - gets me closer to that final shine.
But let's not forget there are simply times when we don't feel like writing. When that happens, I take a break and go for a walk or a bicycle ride or out for drinks or dinner, or to a movie, or take a couch potato day. In other words, I refresh.
Bottom line: to the best of my ability, I stay organized, disciplined, flexible, consistent, and persistent. When I am, writer's block almost never occurs.
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