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Chapter 5 - Writer's block

It happens…

If it hasn’t yet, it will at some point.

You’ve done your outline; you have your notes, and you have been writing like a machine… Then your brain decides to hit the brakes and nothing. You read through your notes and previous chapters to try and grab onto that precious feeling again, but it’s gone. You find a huge hole in your plot, but all you have left is your ending and nowhere else to go!

It happens…

My suggestion has always been simple. I apply Murphy’s law. My poor readers want to hide my characters from me to protect them from my motto “ANYTHING that can go wrong will go wrong”, but it’s usually my last resort when writer’s block hits.

So, let’s start from the beginning before you make your characters suffer as I do.

As I mentioned in a previous chapter, I have suggested that you look at your book from the perspective of a journalist or detective. I look at the scenes in more detail, study my characters some more. No matter how small the detail, I write it down and check if I’ve mentioned it before.

Typically, these notes help to loosen the wheels a little and I can indulge in descriptions I didn’t realize that I missed before and find my storyline. You might find a plot hole that you can patch, or part of a story you can elaborate some more on.

You might be lucky and find a supporting character or two that your readers might want to know more about. Or just add a little more about their backstory. These times have brought forward so many of my follow-up books in series that at one stage I thought I might never be able to end a series!

When an idea for a new book popped up in the middle, I would start to work on the outline for it, using it as a creative writing exercise.

Then, if all else fails, I will Murphy that sucker into oblivion!

Unfortunately, sometimes writer’s block can be so bad that none of this works, so, I did some more research on the subject and found a couple of things to get you going. I will later add some writing exercises to help with writer’s block, but for this chapter, I’m concentrating more on a couple of quick tips to get you going.

1. Plot twist ideas

a) The character’s dark past finally catches up with them;

b) Something that your characters might have searched for turns out not to exist; Create the myth;

c) Turn a good character into a villain or vice versa. Everybody has a little of both good and bad in them and this gives way too many new opportunities to explore your characters on a deeper level;

d) Make your protagonist side with the villain of your story in a situation where they have no other choice but to;

2. Hard hitters

a) “Did you ever stop to think about how I would feel?”

b) “b-but that’s not fair! I did everything you asked of me!”

c) Instead of saying “I love you”, say “I think I could fall in love with you.”

d) “Why can’t you just stop for once in your life?”

e) “That’s it! I’m done!”

3. Add some anxiety

a) I’ll never be that me again;

b) “I thought I would find you here”;

c) “Please, just hold me”;

d) “I don’t want to understand! I want you to stay!”

e) “Because I care about you, okay?”

f) “Am I supposed to just let you go?”

g) “Why should I care?”

4. From Enemies to lovers (Not in love, however)

a) I can’t stand him! But I want him.

b) “Don’t talk to me, someone might think we are friends.”

c) “A date? Sorry, but I have to go home and laugh at your idea.”

d) “If it makes you feel any better, I will tell people you won against me.”

e) “Come over here and make me!”

f) “I told you not to fall in love with me.”

g) I wish he would shut up. I can’t stand how appealing his voice is.

h) “I want to take a shower, and we can save water if you join me.”

5. Jealousy

a) “They keep looking at you.”

b) “I saw the way you looked at him/her.”

c) “I’m not flirting with anyone!”

d) “You’re so cute when you turn all green with jealousy.”

e) “I’m tired of being your secret!”

6. s****l tension

a) “I’ve been in love with you my entire life.”

b) “Kiss me”

c) “If you don’t rest, you won’t heal.”

d) “You lost your chance.”

e) “Don’t look at me like that!”

f) “Sorry doesn’t fix everything!”

g) “It isn’t up for debate.”

h) “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s wrong, and don’t try lying to me.”

i) “Is this how little you think of me?”

j) “I tried to move on, but nobody compares to you.”

k) Lip biting;

l) Almost kissing but being interrupted;

m) Lots and lots of eye contact and secret peeks;

n) Friendly teasing that becomes awkward, tense, or intense.

7. Love me some kisses

a) Palm kissing;

b) A kiss on the temple;

c) A kiss on the shoulder;

d) A kiss on the shoulder blade;

e) A kiss on the inside of the wrist;

f) An eyelid kiss is said to give a unique sensation in the body that can run from the base of the spine to the knees;

g) A playful kiss on the tip of the nose.

8. Steamy conversation starters

a) “We can’t! We’re in public!”

b) “I think ropes would look lovely on you.”

c) “I’m not supposed to be here right now.” “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.”

d) “What are you wearing right now?” “Who says I’m wearing anything?”

e) “People will hear!”

f) “I’m willing to try anything once.”

Unfortunately, if I were to give you everything I found, I would be writing prompts for the rest of my life, instead of working on my books.

The options to get over writer’s block are endless. Don’t give up just because you can’t think of anything to write right now.

I hope these prompts will get your brain going again.

Happy writing

XX