I don't believe in Writer's Block.
But I know what it is like to be stuck. I know what it is like to get out of the rhythm, or break the habit, or let the gremlins in your head start a Union with your inner critic and essentially convince you that you CANNOT AND WILL NOT WRITE! NOT NOW... and not ever again.
It sucks. It really fucking sucks. That pain, that hopeless frustration, that teeth-grinding rage squashed between twin bolders of impossibility... yup. Sucksville.
I know that there are things I can do to get past this - get out of this funk and back into a rhythm - a rhythm of writing, of creating, or of just generally not falling into the glue-trap of my days becoming so monotonous I want to scream in a Teams call just to see something new happen.
The only real challenge is DOING the things. It is not enough to write about them or talk about them. I have to DO them or they simply do not count.
So here there are - in no particular order:
- Hike
- Sticky Notes
- Write
Curious how these three things are not just possible, but the best solution to feeling stuck as an author, a writer or a creative? Let me share what works for me.
- HIKE
I need nature. I knew this as a child - I needed to outside more than anything. I remember being devestated when the teachers kept us in for recess or lunch when it rained.
Then, I got addicted to TV, drinking and junkfood and spend about 15 years making a quality dent in my sofa. I could quote any TV series or movie, but struggled to keep my breath when I bent to tie my shoes.
Now? I hike. I hit the trails and wander into the woods. I am learning to use a GPS, I am getting stronger and more fit. I am finding secret waterfalls and marveling at huge trees, and blindingly beautiful vistas.
I am very blessed to live where nature crowds my door - but in exchange, I have shoveled many piles of bear poop.
Being in nature calms my eternally busy brain and gives me a chance to just exist. In the trees, I don't have to be anyone. I can just breate and walk and listen. I feel free.
I also feel inspired. In these stunning locations, the fairytales feel real. I can look along the moss covered branches and understand why people saw fairies in the shifting light. In the water dancing and laughing over river rock, I can hear the babble of the Fae. It is easy to believe in magic here, so I head back to the forest, again and again - now? I'm looking for my Bear Hunters.
2. Sticky Notes
When it comes to outlines for new books and new ideas - I work best with old school tools. I like big pieces of paper, I like story webbing, I like doodles and magazine clippings, and felt tip pens - and STICKY NOTES!
Once I have the outline - or at least a hint of the storyline in my mind, I often need to see it on paper - and few things feel as versitile and as able to satisfy my need for tangible action like sticky notes.
Today, I sat with my felt tip and sticky notes and sorted out my thoughts.
Here, you see the layout in its best first draft fashion.
Book title (working title often at the top)
I work left to right, top to bottom and wrote out shorthand notes on all the key scenes I want to write - or may have already written (this is the problem with trying to breathe life into a few month old WIP (work in progress) - I forgot what I wrote... so I'll be sorting it out. This way I can address key scenes and story points and either identify what is done, what I like and want to keep, what I don't like and want to replace, or what has yet to be written.
As there are really only 5 key characters, they each ended up with a nickname (or two) - Goldi(locks) and Dee are our female MC (main character), Too Hard, Too Soft and Just Right are our three bear hunters ( they have names, but these nicknames helps me keep their personas clear in my head.) and Daddy - Dee's father.
There is a rhythm to this story - as there is in many fairytails - and I feel like I have the same 5 scenes with each of the bear hunters - which follows with the repetition of fairytales and nursery rhymes a like.
I am confident now that I know where I am going and feel more confident. I feel like I have a plan!
One additional win from walking through this process? I sorted out the seasons. I often struggle with the practical logistics of a time line - like remembering which month I said it was. I was able to sort out each season and felt the last few pieces fall into place: Too Hard comes in at the Fall Equinox. He is a brutal huntsman, half wild, clothed in black - the edge of night and death in him. Too Soft arrives at the Winter Solstice, crisp and fresh as white snow, delicate and beautiful, graceful as a whip. Inaccessible and cold. Just Right comes in at the Spring Equinox. Strong but flexible as a new reed, Optimistic and awash with fresh starts. Nailing down the seasons brings the story in line and I understand the flow of it now.
And finally - 3. Writing
Set a timer.
Write 20 min.
Write anything - a blog post (this), a journal entry, your morning pages, a scene, a thought for a scene, a poem, a short story, or grab a writing queue and write anything . But write and write every day until writing becames a habit - or becomes a habit again, and then suddenly, I can be writing something important, or urgent, or desired.
I can let these stories out of my brain and set them loose on the world. Time to take action. Wish me luck.
With Love,
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With Love,
Check out her books:
Snow White and the Wicked Queen: Chapter 1
Snow White and the Vicious Curse: Chapter 2
Snow White and the Seven Thieves: Chapter 3
Snow White and the Poisoned Apple: The Final Chapter
Prefer to read the whole story at once? Grab your copy of Snow: The Complete Erotic Series now! All five books are available now as ebooks and paperbacks. Coming soon in Large Print format!
2nd edition coming 2025!
