Regan Walker
I have written articles on this, but here's the short list:
1. First, I go back and edit the last few chapters, sometimes I go all the way back to the beginning. Along the way, I pick up new ideas, so when I hit the end of what I’ve written the next words sometimes just flow, along with the next scenes.
2. Sometimes, I just force myself to stay at my computer and put words on the page, saying to myself I will come back and fix whatever is wrong tomorrow. Surprisingly, I find I have less to fix than I had first thought. It doesn’t work all the time, but when it does, I pat myself on the back for being willing to slog through the difficult parts.
3. When I can, I might skip to later scenes, maybe even the end if I have a thought of how I want to bring the threads together. Often those out of place scenes fit in just fine with I get to them. It happened in To Tame the Wind. I saw Claire being forced to leave Simon and Simon, though loving her, being forced to let her go. I wrote that scene before I was 30K words into the story.
4. Since I’m an author of historical romance, I might dive into the history a little deeper to see if any ideas come to me. My stories are driven by history and real historic figures so this can give me an idea of a new scene or a new character.
5. I go to lunch with one of my critique partners and tell her where I’m stuck. She may make a suggestion that has me saying, “Yes! Great idea.” And then, when I get home, I can’t wait to begin writing again. I always take pen and paper to those luncheons so I can capture the idea as we are discussing it.
6. I might read a book. Somehow diving into an absorbing romance written by someone else takes me out of the stuck place. It works like greasing the skids. But I don’t reach for this too often as it takes me farther away from my own story.
7. Lastly, when all else fails, I take a break. I take a walk with my Golden Retriever, go shopping, listen to music (which often inspires scenes), or I bake (yes, I love to bake; you can see a few of my recipes on my website). There’s always Facebook, and email too, but I do those most days so they aren’t much of a break.
The point is to do whatever you can to move past the blank page—past that place where nothing is coming to you.
1. First, I go back and edit the last few chapters, sometimes I go all the way back to the beginning. Along the way, I pick up new ideas, so when I hit the end of what I’ve written the next words sometimes just flow, along with the next scenes.
2. Sometimes, I just force myself to stay at my computer and put words on the page, saying to myself I will come back and fix whatever is wrong tomorrow. Surprisingly, I find I have less to fix than I had first thought. It doesn’t work all the time, but when it does, I pat myself on the back for being willing to slog through the difficult parts.
3. When I can, I might skip to later scenes, maybe even the end if I have a thought of how I want to bring the threads together. Often those out of place scenes fit in just fine with I get to them. It happened in To Tame the Wind. I saw Claire being forced to leave Simon and Simon, though loving her, being forced to let her go. I wrote that scene before I was 30K words into the story.
4. Since I’m an author of historical romance, I might dive into the history a little deeper to see if any ideas come to me. My stories are driven by history and real historic figures so this can give me an idea of a new scene or a new character.
5. I go to lunch with one of my critique partners and tell her where I’m stuck. She may make a suggestion that has me saying, “Yes! Great idea.” And then, when I get home, I can’t wait to begin writing again. I always take pen and paper to those luncheons so I can capture the idea as we are discussing it.
6. I might read a book. Somehow diving into an absorbing romance written by someone else takes me out of the stuck place. It works like greasing the skids. But I don’t reach for this too often as it takes me farther away from my own story.
7. Lastly, when all else fails, I take a break. I take a walk with my Golden Retriever, go shopping, listen to music (which often inspires scenes), or I bake (yes, I love to bake; you can see a few of my recipes on my website). There’s always Facebook, and email too, but I do those most days so they aren’t much of a break.
The point is to do whatever you can to move past the blank page—past that place where nothing is coming to you.
More Answered Questions
Shellie
asked
Regan Walker:
Hi Regan, thanks for all your great lists/ recommendations. I have poured over your lists etc. so many times! Found some great authors and books, bought many such as Nadine Crenshaw & Jennifer Horsman, along with so many others! I have 2 questions, first I saw Jamie Fraser Outlander made your favorite heros, Claire did not. Was just curious why? 2. Have you read any Suzanne Enoch? I have 2 of your books to read too!
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