Dealing with Writer's Block

                           Writer's block... we've all had one.
  

    They aren't fun.  So I've compiled 5 ways to deal with "WB". 

   #1.  Read your favorite book.  This can help trigger your creative writing process. 

   #2. Imagine your favorite movie character having a conversation with your main character... What would they say?  Build on that.

   #3. Kill off a semi-important character.  Not always the best way, but it works sometimes.  This will enable you to write about the deep sadness of your other characters. 

   #4. Go outside, go for a walk.  Nature, and the offline world in general, have a great effect on creativity.

   #5. Imagine a white blank space in your mind.  Create in this space a scene (location) that would likely appear in your book.  Add a tragedy (also that could happen in your book).  Then, add one by one you book's characters... How will they react?  What will they do?  Build on this until you have an idea to bring you out of your writer's block.  

   #6. Go to a hustling, bustling place.  People watching (however creepy) is a great way to come up with stories.  

   #7. Imagine you're a newspaper journalist.  What kind of headlines will you write about?  A major car crash?  First lady pregnant?  Adding in some pop into your story can really help pick up the pace.  

   #8.  Write a short story about anything. Nothing long, just a single page.  Write about something completely random, that has nothing to do with your actual story.  About how a flower smells, or a little monkey that's lost in the forest, just something to get your mind off your book.  After you've finished go back to your book and see if something starts to flow.

   #9.  Ask for ideas from friends.  You never know what crazy stuff they'll suggest, but sometimes this can really help.

  #10.  Don't get discouraged.  Every writer, in the history of writing, has had a writer's block.  Keep going strong. 


~Allison