tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post8561229235199156051..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: 3 ways to bust writer's blockStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-11624960400149334382014-12-08T14:33:30.454-06:002014-12-08T14:33:30.454-06:00Have you tried just writing it, KatyNicole? Someti...Have you tried just writing it, KatyNicole? Sometimes just making myself write it and then coming back and editing later will do the trick for me.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-13899499327122367272014-12-07T21:20:39.006-06:002014-12-07T21:20:39.006-06:00Hi! I can see it's been a few years since anyo...Hi! I can see it's been a few years since anyone has commented on this post, but I found your blog on Pinterest last night and cannot stop reading. I'm a teen writer. It's my passion. My dream is to travel the world and write, write, write! I've started countless novels and never finished any, but I've finally gotten about halfway through one that feels very promising thus far. However, I'm currently experiencing an encounter with the dreaded writer's block -- I'm at a point where my MC and her mother are nearing an important conversation, but I don't know how to approach it or make the dialogue meaningful yet natural. I haven't worked on my novel in a few months, so I've got the taking-a-break part down. I also have a writer's notebook full of inspiration that I'd love to use, but I've got to get past this scene. (Side note: I'm a stop-and-go, edit-as-I-write writer. I can't make myself work any other way, so writing messy and fixing it later is not exactly a good method for me. Therefore, you can see how frustrated I am!) It would mean so much to have your advice! :)KatyNicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-77078165354745312642014-01-14T08:11:40.073-06:002014-01-14T08:11:40.073-06:00I have the same question right now. I hope it goes...I have the same question right now. I hope it goes away when I finally overcome my doubt a bit and go type something up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-47968678054198318192012-06-01T23:19:23.570-05:002012-06-01T23:19:23.570-05:00Super helpful! Thanks for posting. :)Super helpful! Thanks for posting. :)Jazmine~https://www.blogger.com/profile/06246960020080246030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-42691351116294291352012-05-29T13:59:49.890-05:002012-05-29T13:59:49.890-05:00Wow, Rachel, FABULOUS post! I love your tips, espe...Wow, Rachel, FABULOUS post! I love your tips, especially "try something different". (Interesting oatmeal story, by the way; I was kind of beginner-OCD as a little kid, so I can sort of see where you're coming from with it, haha. ;)<br /><br />And I agree with you and Stephen King - I <i>love</i> how you can get inspiration from literally anywhere! My current WIP actually grew from a conversation I overheard at the beach last summer. Crazy-awesome, isn't it?<br /><br />Thanks so much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-40719757853678198942012-05-27T20:08:23.558-05:002012-05-27T20:08:23.558-05:00Nice Post!
Just wanted to say that Interrupted sur...Nice Post!<br />Just wanted to say that Interrupted surpassed (by far) my expectations (I know what you think about people who judge you on your age . . .)<br />--GianaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-35053366666471624992012-05-23T07:03:42.305-05:002012-05-23T07:03:42.305-05:00I have writers block all the time! and it usually ...I have writers block all the time! and it usually just makes me quit my story altogether. Thanks for the awesome advise!Hannah https://www.blogger.com/profile/04389888345956960648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-5871181613459356312012-05-19T07:39:33.491-05:002012-05-19T07:39:33.491-05:00I'm so glad it was an encouragement, Tonya! I ...I'm so glad it was an encouragement, Tonya! I hope that you have an easier time sticking with your story! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-81476163050932911802012-05-18T12:30:57.801-05:002012-05-18T12:30:57.801-05:00Thank you for this post, Rachel. The WIP I just hi...Thank you for this post, Rachel. The WIP I just hit the 20K mark in isn't flowing as easily or quickly as I had hoped...so different with my last project which I never experienced block with!<br /><br />Anyway, this was an encouragement to me today that I'm doing the right thing by taking a few hours or days off. :)<br /><br />Oh, and I used totally be a cereal eater...for almost my entire high school athletic career. Now I've been introduced to the wonderful world of bad carbs for breakfast. It's awesome!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />RachelleAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150136011032761640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-43601263755352396092012-05-18T09:28:37.592-05:002012-05-18T09:28:37.592-05:00LOL!
Famous and big? *Jill looks around the room* ...LOL!<br />Famous and big? *Jill looks around the room* Nope, just little ol' me here.<br /><br />We all have problems--different ones--but we all have them. Never doubt it!<br /><br />But I'm glad it gave you some ideas, Sierra. :-)<br /><br />And I LOVE Philippians 4:8! "Whatever..."Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-60389874872438741172012-05-17T21:19:37.914-05:002012-05-17T21:19:37.914-05:00I know right?! You said what I was going to say be...I know right?! You said what I was going to say before I got a chance to say it! That whole paragraph about "And just because I can’t get that dialog to read smoothly, I want to give up all together." Totally me. Too many of my stories have not been finished because of exactly this reason. <br /><br />And HAHA about your dog! Gotta love them and their routines :DLaura Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021197723868815422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-18145612360347346512012-05-17T21:15:33.587-05:002012-05-17T21:15:33.587-05:00Great advice Rachel! I have one thing to add: If y...Great advice Rachel! I have one thing to add: If you are slowing down because you are constantly trying to go back and reread/edit your work, you might try *not* writing on a computer for a while. I am attempting to write a novel on a typewriter (sounds crazy, right?) but it has really helped silence my inner editor. Even when I think what I'm writing sucks I keep going because I'm no longer tempted to reread and revise. It's just, impossible. Until you get the hang of it, writing on a typewriter does slow you down a bit, but it's totally worth it because it forces you to only think about your story and characters and you can't really do much about the "quality" of the writing until it's time to revise. Anyway, hope that helps! Take it for what it's worth. Ultimately you get to decide what works for you. :)Laura Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021197723868815422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-35807980642647887642012-05-17T21:03:04.335-05:002012-05-17T21:03:04.335-05:00I have problems with thinking I should just give u...I have problems with thinking I should just give up when Im stuck on a paragraph or scene. I was relieved you said you had that, Rachel and then you say "isn't that a stupid way to think?" and so I've been thinking about it and it is stupid. I hope I remember that tomorrow when those feelings come again. <br /><br />Oatmeal for breakfast? Lol. For years, I only ate cheerios. Somehow along the way when pouring them I'd toss 1 or 2 to my dog. Last summer, my dr told me I should try protien shakes for breakfast. I didn't bother me but my dog...oh my! She freaked out. She followed me everywhere & had to get right in front of me & lay down & make herself shake ntil I gave her cheerios. Next day, same thing. And so on. Months later I still give her cheeriosTonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14500897912581589616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-66909940710701278372012-05-17T21:00:14.498-05:002012-05-17T21:00:14.498-05:00Great question, thanks for asking! If you are cons...Great question, thanks for asking! If you are constantly focused on writing "fast enough" then you're never going to be satisfied. Because you will lull at times, or things will slow down, and everything's not going to be moving quickly. I'm sure you've experienced that before. ;)<br />My advice to you would be to think more about your story as a whole, and why you're excited about writing it. It can be discouraging sometimes when it doesn't feel like things are moving quickly enough for you, but you just have to remember that it's worth trudging along. If you have a great story idea and characters that you're really excited about, then it will all be worth it in the end. In life, the greatest friendships are the ones that are formed slowly, over long periods of time. It's the same way with writing. Don't be afraid to take your time, just remember to keep moving forward! It'll be worth it in the end. :)<br />Hope that helps!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-11653190179044376122012-05-17T20:56:00.135-05:002012-05-17T20:56:00.135-05:00Sierra, I'm so glad that it was helpful! Defin...Sierra, I'm so glad that it was helpful! Definitely don't beat yourself up about it. It is 100% okay to work on something else for a while. Fun, even! ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-16326755515826362712012-05-17T20:54:52.112-05:002012-05-17T20:54:52.112-05:00Ha ha--maybe I should start my posts with "Wa...Ha ha--maybe I should start my posts with "Warning: This post is by Rachel Coker. Continue reading at your own risk" or something? ;) Glad you enjoyed it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-77394622470835097612012-05-17T20:53:46.094-05:002012-05-17T20:53:46.094-05:00So glad you liked it! I hope you enjoy my book! (I...So glad you liked it! I hope you enjoy my book! (It makes me feel giddy every time I found out a library has it ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-79942550093465918372012-05-17T18:37:20.821-05:002012-05-17T18:37:20.821-05:00I think I know what you mean by gaps. I get gaps a...I think I know what you mean by gaps. I get gaps all the time.<br /><br />I find that a sheet helps me with my gaps because it shows me where I have them all on one page, rather than me staring at a 300-page document. So I go through and list all of my scenes in order on a page, leaving several spaces where I have gaps. And then I can sit around and brainstorm new scenes to fill in the gaps. <br /><br />Here is my blank sheet: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/scene-plotting-chart.pdf<br /><br />And here is one where I filled in stuff but still had gaps: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/by-darkness-hid-scene-plotting-example.pdf<br /><br />But you can use a regular lined sheet of paper to to this. That what I just did for my latest WIP. And since I have four points of view in this book, I have everything in one long list. For example:<br /><br />Kendall: Finds Chord attacked/gets his letters<br />Mason: Comes to Messenger meeting/he doesn't trust Ciddah<br />Omar: Meets with Levi after meeting and gets yelled at<br />Need scene with Jemimah: _______<br />Mason: At work maybe?<br />Kendall: Delivers Chord's letters<br />Omar: Makes Owl costume<br />etc.Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-7951000481884010362012-05-17T16:30:31.059-05:002012-05-17T16:30:31.059-05:00Writer's block is always a problem for me sinc...Writer's block is always a problem for me since I don't seem to write fast enough. I write a sentence or two, then stare at it for a while before I continue. I wish I could write faster and when I don't, I tend to lose interest quickly. Any suggestions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-16883191797878705232012-05-17T14:59:10.290-05:002012-05-17T14:59:10.290-05:00This is EXACTLY what I need right now. Confirmati...This is EXACTLY what I need right now. Confirmation that writing another story at the same time is ABSOLUTELY OK. I feel like it helps when I write one fairy tale in third person (which is a very serious story) and then switch over to my different, first person fairy tale that is more on the snarky side. I've been beating myself up over this for a while, but now...I'm going to go head on into these stories. Thanks so much for your encouragement!! :DSierra Abramshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09330264859252593838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-59991005393189000132012-05-17T13:45:36.416-05:002012-05-17T13:45:36.416-05:00I think I've mentioned this before...but I don...I think I've mentioned this before...but I don't get writers block... I get writers EXPLOSION! and sometimes it's just as wicked as the block >.< Basically I have too MANY ideas and I write write write and then right before I get to the end... I tire out and then loose motivation to finish with a bang. -sigh- Any tips on pacing yourself?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-75591007426485615712012-05-17T13:43:21.838-05:002012-05-17T13:43:21.838-05:00Oh my word. I read a post about writer's bloc...Oh my word. I read a post about writer's block on some blog over a year ago, and it had that exact photo. o.0Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02266041077178607623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-44663153343759670892012-05-17T13:25:04.890-05:002012-05-17T13:25:04.890-05:00Great Post!!!
I admit: I am the same way with brea...Great Post!!!<br />I admit: I am the same way with breakfast. I kind of go in phases. One month its breakfast bars, the next it's eggs, the next English muffins. See a pattern. :)Alyson Schrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10985230257033740736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-77942815225045638162012-05-17T10:08:30.494-05:002012-05-17T10:08:30.494-05:00What kind of gaps are we talking about? Can you gu...What kind of gaps are we talking about? Can you guys be a little more specific?Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-60159416515688385882012-05-17T09:32:06.476-05:002012-05-17T09:32:06.476-05:00Thanks for the awesome post, Rachel! I'll be o...Thanks for the awesome post, Rachel! I'll be off to pick up your book at the library today :) <br />I've had this problem a LOT throughout the years. I start a book, I get angry with it and halfway through Writer's Block kicks in, and I just dump the book. This year, I've been forcing myself to just keep writing. I was just last night thinking that I should dig out a book I wrote and rewrite and edit it - for some reason, I stopped after I finished it because I thought it was so bad (this was a year or two ago, I was 12). I guess I didn't realize it was a ROUGH DRAFT! ha ha ha ;) This post reminded me of how I used to constantly 'give up' on books as soon as the going got tough, so I actually took an entire year off writing in 2011. 2012 started, and I'm writing every day because I missed it so much! <br />Thanks again for the post!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13450915234455922031noreply@blogger.com