Jennifer McMahon
I don’t know that I’ve ever had true “writer’s block”, but I’ve definitely been stuck and gone through times of low productivity. I’ve got a bunch of tricks and techniques I rely on when that happens!
To begin with, I’ve always got more than one project going at a time. I compare it to cooking: I’ve got my main project, the next book, on the front burner and I’m giving that the majority of my attention. But I’ve got several other stories in various stages simmering away on the back burners. If I hit a wall with my main project, or if I just decide I need a little time away so I can return with fresh eyes, or if it’s off with my editor, I’ll pull another project forward and focus on that for a bit. I’ve always got something (sometimes several things!) to work on at any given time. In addition to this, I’m constantly generating new ideas. Some are good, some are not so good, but I make sure to capture each and every one by writing them down. I think this one practice alone keeps the creative juices flowing and helps to prevent writer’s block.
If I’m totally frustrated by a particular story and out of ideas, some of my favorite ways of getting unstuck are: freewriting, mindmapping on huge sheets of newsprint with colored pens, brainstorming with index cards, writing the scenes I have a clear vision of and am most excited about first, and trying another point of view. I’m also a big believer in long walks with no distractions other than my little notebook (in case I have an idea!). Long walks in the Vermont woods have solved many, many book problems for me!
To begin with, I’ve always got more than one project going at a time. I compare it to cooking: I’ve got my main project, the next book, on the front burner and I’m giving that the majority of my attention. But I’ve got several other stories in various stages simmering away on the back burners. If I hit a wall with my main project, or if I just decide I need a little time away so I can return with fresh eyes, or if it’s off with my editor, I’ll pull another project forward and focus on that for a bit. I’ve always got something (sometimes several things!) to work on at any given time. In addition to this, I’m constantly generating new ideas. Some are good, some are not so good, but I make sure to capture each and every one by writing them down. I think this one practice alone keeps the creative juices flowing and helps to prevent writer’s block.
If I’m totally frustrated by a particular story and out of ideas, some of my favorite ways of getting unstuck are: freewriting, mindmapping on huge sheets of newsprint with colored pens, brainstorming with index cards, writing the scenes I have a clear vision of and am most excited about first, and trying another point of view. I’m also a big believer in long walks with no distractions other than my little notebook (in case I have an idea!). Long walks in the Vermont woods have solved many, many book problems for me!
More Answered Questions
Elyse
asked
Jennifer McMahon:
I just wanted to let you know how much I have been enjoying your books. I came across Burntown at a store called Reny's here in Maine. I wrote the title down and than borrowed it from the library. I was hooked instantly to that story. I decided to read another one of your books to see if I would like another one of your stories. I am totally a fan now. Do you think you will ever come to Maine?
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