C.C. Aune
I really don't experience writer's block!
I always have so many irons in the fire that if one idea isn't progressing, I simply work on another. Let me explain.
First of all, I have my blog One Year of Letters www.oneyearofletters.com , where I manage a team of writers, edit their work, post, promote, perform blog housekeeping, and also write my own pieces. Our personal essays cover all sorts of topics like emotions, parenting, writing, social justice, and relationships. Yes, I do have difficulty finding fresh ideas to write about. This is largely due to the current busy-ness of my team, with whom I like to toss ideas around. Our conversations get my brain chugging, but lately we've all had a lot on our individual plates. Yet as a rule, once I have an idea, I can pop out an 800-1000 word essay in an hour or less.
I also write the occasional short story. These usually come from a prompt of some sort, either a contest or a weird dream I had, or a sudden epiphany. Short story writing is difficult for me only when it comes to finding the inspiration. Once found, I have no trouble churning out the story. Depending on the length, this may take only a few hours to flesh out.
When it comes to long-form writing, I don't have any lack of ideas. THE ILL-KEPT OATH is only the first in what is likely to be a series of 5 or more books. Most of that material already exists in my computer, so it's only a matter of crafting and polishing the next instalment before starting the editing phase. I do have days where the plot grinds to a halt. I know where I need to go next, but the getting there hangs me up. Lots of people like to walk away, take a break of hours, days, or weeks, but I find that forcing myself to stare at the screen and think-think-think like Pooh finally unsticks the cogs. But I don't consider this writer's block--it's merely a slower point in my progress. I guess I'm lucky not to have experienced the despair I hear about from others. And as I said, aside from this series, I have other ideas that are well into the research and development phase, enough to keep me going for years to come!
I always have so many irons in the fire that if one idea isn't progressing, I simply work on another. Let me explain.
First of all, I have my blog One Year of Letters www.oneyearofletters.com , where I manage a team of writers, edit their work, post, promote, perform blog housekeeping, and also write my own pieces. Our personal essays cover all sorts of topics like emotions, parenting, writing, social justice, and relationships. Yes, I do have difficulty finding fresh ideas to write about. This is largely due to the current busy-ness of my team, with whom I like to toss ideas around. Our conversations get my brain chugging, but lately we've all had a lot on our individual plates. Yet as a rule, once I have an idea, I can pop out an 800-1000 word essay in an hour or less.
I also write the occasional short story. These usually come from a prompt of some sort, either a contest or a weird dream I had, or a sudden epiphany. Short story writing is difficult for me only when it comes to finding the inspiration. Once found, I have no trouble churning out the story. Depending on the length, this may take only a few hours to flesh out.
When it comes to long-form writing, I don't have any lack of ideas. THE ILL-KEPT OATH is only the first in what is likely to be a series of 5 or more books. Most of that material already exists in my computer, so it's only a matter of crafting and polishing the next instalment before starting the editing phase. I do have days where the plot grinds to a halt. I know where I need to go next, but the getting there hangs me up. Lots of people like to walk away, take a break of hours, days, or weeks, but I find that forcing myself to stare at the screen and think-think-think like Pooh finally unsticks the cogs. But I don't consider this writer's block--it's merely a slower point in my progress. I guess I'm lucky not to have experienced the despair I hear about from others. And as I said, aside from this series, I have other ideas that are well into the research and development phase, enough to keep me going for years to come!
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more