tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post5667580614697374975..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: Fighting the EnemyL.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-330179421633409182011-11-23T17:10:45.176-08:002011-11-23T17:10:45.176-08:00It's interesting to see how people have differ...It's interesting to see how people have different techniques for battling this insidious problem. Also interesting, is that most of them involve doing something not writing-related. I think the key is to get things moving, whether it be your brain, your blood, or even your rear end :DANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-26184547119680064222011-11-23T12:40:05.470-08:002011-11-23T12:40:05.470-08:00Another option that has sometimes worked for me is...Another option that has sometimes worked for me is to write a letter to a friend/relative just to get the fingers moving. I sometimes try to tell him/her what I'm trying to say in my fiction, then get back to the original story by accident. I even start with "Dear ......." then, once I'm moving again, I just delete the beginning. Great thing, that delete thing.Judith Yates Borgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05989317858819225597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-14590229981090940812011-11-23T11:35:12.767-08:002011-11-23T11:35:12.767-08:00Do something else - yes! Most of my brilliant idea...Do something else - yes! Most of my brilliant ideas come when I have no paper or a pen, when I'm driving, stark nekked in the shower ...Karen S. Elliotthttp://www.karenselliott.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-68475532417186503162011-11-23T10:01:57.156-08:002011-11-23T10:01:57.156-08:00This is some really good advice Andrew. I spent al...This is some really good advice Andrew. I spent almost eight years thinking about my first book before I ever sat down to write it and I agree that you can't expect to sit down and write your final product. In reality I suspect all of us continue to think about ways we could have "bettered" the writing even after it's published. I think your advice to step back and engage other aspects of your brain is excellent. This is a foundational strategy of problem solving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-33566722084845812662011-11-23T06:52:44.269-08:002011-11-23T06:52:44.269-08:00If I'm stuck, it's because I didn't do...If I'm stuck, it's because I didn't do my preliminary work very well. I've gotten off-track and forgotten the story elements that make it roll. <br /><br />When that happens, and words seem impossible, I pop in my earbuds, take a walk, and listen to the Writer's MInd. What usually happens is that within a few minutes an idea inserts itself and I have race back to my desk to "get it down."Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-12871082998277374132011-11-23T06:26:27.724-08:002011-11-23T06:26:27.724-08:00Excellent list of ideas, Drew! Going for a walk, t...Excellent list of ideas, Drew! Going for a walk, taking a nap and having a shower all work well for me.<br /><br />Here's some advice from Lawrence Block (no, I didn't make up that name!): "One thing that helps is to give myself permission to write badly. I tell myself that I'm going to do my five or 10 pages no matter what, and I can always tear them up the following morning if I want."<br /><br />Also, reading over some of your best earlier stuff on the same novel might get you inspired and jump-start your muse.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-44354207305791440752011-11-23T06:11:58.130-08:002011-11-23T06:11:58.130-08:00Thanks for a terrific post! I've been blessed ...Thanks for a terrific post! I've been blessed in that I've never had a serious case of writer's block, but I still get stuck sometimes. Exercise works best for me. <br />L.J.<br />http://ljsellers.comL.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.com