Matthew McAndrew
I don't have writer's block. I have writer's overload. Too many ideas and only certain places to put them at certain times. If my purpose in life is to pump out novels, then I will never die.
However, I do deal with challenges. I never call them 'blocks' (really hate that term 'writer's block', to be honest) because I know there's always a way around them--I've just gotta find it.
For instance, if my main character doesn't seem to be working the way I thought s/he would, I'll work on the characters surrounding him/her. That often gives me the insight I need to understand the main characters and their struggles better.
When I come up against a problem, I start asking myself questions: why? What if...? How can I...? What happens if I do this...?
Doing that, and really thoroughly studying the problem itself, always brings about a solution. The main thing is to not just give up and drop it, leaving things as is because you're too impatient to get to the bottom of the problem. Power through it until you're satisfied with your own work. If you can't be happy with THAT, why are you writing?
Another thing: don't be afraid to pray. No joke, I do this often, if the problem is big enough. I pray for creative solutions, inspiration and ideas, and they always come. God gave you your gifts and desires for a reason--it's okay to ask Him for help with them.
However, I do deal with challenges. I never call them 'blocks' (really hate that term 'writer's block', to be honest) because I know there's always a way around them--I've just gotta find it.
For instance, if my main character doesn't seem to be working the way I thought s/he would, I'll work on the characters surrounding him/her. That often gives me the insight I need to understand the main characters and their struggles better.
When I come up against a problem, I start asking myself questions: why? What if...? How can I...? What happens if I do this...?
Doing that, and really thoroughly studying the problem itself, always brings about a solution. The main thing is to not just give up and drop it, leaving things as is because you're too impatient to get to the bottom of the problem. Power through it until you're satisfied with your own work. If you can't be happy with THAT, why are you writing?
Another thing: don't be afraid to pray. No joke, I do this often, if the problem is big enough. I pray for creative solutions, inspiration and ideas, and they always come. God gave you your gifts and desires for a reason--it's okay to ask Him for help with them.
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