Goodreads asked Kathryn Reiss:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Kathryn Reiss Writer's block comes when a story isn't working--which is usually because there's something in the plot I've outlined that doesn't really work. So I'll take the dogs for a long walk... because I find that I often work out thorny problems... and come back and make a pot of tea, and then sit down to try to put my scenes in order. This happens, then THAT happens, then this, then that... I make lists, trying to be sure things are unfolding the way I need them to. The pot of tea really helps, too! In extreme cases of writer's block I'll put the ms. away for a month and work on something else. When I come back to it, I can usually see what's wrong.

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