Goodreads asked Sandra Waugh:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Sandra Waugh Two things are my source for writer's block: 1) if I have not figured out the basic arc of my story, and/or 2) the self-critical demons which tirelessly hover, waiting to ruin a day's or weeks' work. For the former, I have to sweat it out, literally. I walk away from the laptop, do some sort of activity (lawnmowing is great, so is hot yoga)--a focus on the physical which releases my mind to wander, to dream, to find answers. For the latter the answer is DEADLINE. If I set a goal and meet it I can't beat myself up. And for me it's all about getting rid of that daunting blank page. First drafts stink--they're supposed to stink, but once you have something to work with then great beauty is possible.

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