Goodreads asked L.D. Beyer:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

L.D. Beyer I wish I had a simple answer—a formula—that every aspiring writer could follow when they face a bout of writer’s block. But the reasons for reaching what appears to be a dead end vary and, for me at least, the solution does to. Often taking a break and doing something completely different—like going a walk, running an errand or even “sleeping on it”—will clear my mind and allow it to generate that creative spark and the words soon begin to flow again. It’s strange but the answer to what happens next will often pop into my mind at the oddest times—when I’m at the gym, when I’m in my car or even in the middle of the night—especially when I’m not actively thinking about my predicament. The second thing I would recommend is to take a break from writing and do some research. Often times, the block comes from not knowing the technical aspects of the scene, or the character’s profession, or the physical attributes of a particular location. The research often sparks a number of ideas. I jot them down one by one and in the process, something will click and I’ve found a path forward. It also helps, I think if you know where your story is going—not that it won’t take many twists and turns along the way. But having the big picture in mind allows you to put a problem scene to the side and to focus on a different scene or on a different character for a while. You can always come back to the road block later. Finally, when all else fails, take a deep breath, pour a glass of wine, sit back, take a sip relax and remember the medieval proverb that this too shall pass. Most importantly, save a glass for me!

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