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Post by Esmeralda on Jun 24, 2008 2:59:00 GMT -4
Like we said in the intro to this thread, everyone runs into writer's block once in awhile, and nothing is more frustrating! Here's a couple of tricks that I've discovered: - Most of the time when I run into writer's block it's because I'm trying to force my characters to do something that they don't want to do, that's not in their character. So I start a new file and try writing the fic a different way. I can usually figure out how to combine them later.
- Work on a different part of the story. Since I always plot out my fics before I actually start writing them, I can skip the part that's not working out and start working on a different part where I know what's going to happen. I can always try to make the two parts come together later on.
- Work on a completely different story. If I'm stuck on a fic about Prue, I start working on one about Phoebe or I work on one that has nothing to do with Charmed. It's funny how I'll be working away and suddenly BINGO! the solution to my other story will pop into my head.
- Take a break. I'll turn off the computer, watch some TV, go out for a walk, read a book, do some exercises, just something to stop forcing my mind. So often while I'm out for that walk, my Muse Phoebs will start telling me the part of the tale that I was missing.
- Ask a friend. The fun of having betas!! It's funny how often I can be totally stuck, share what I've already written with a friend and the friend will come up with the perfect way of getting out of my jam!
Hope those ideas helps someone! If you have any tricks on how to combat writer's block, please feel free to share! |
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Post by Assassin Witch on Jun 24, 2008 16:30:20 GMT -4
Thank you, Es!
Now, my problem stems from the fact that I have it all in my head, but nothing comes out.
The first point doesn't really apply to me. (I hope!)
Point Three: Eck. Yeah..so many ideas....I try, but, again, can't get it out. If you only knew how many ideas are running in my head for so many different shows/books/movies. (Probably around 30 ideas for Gossip Girl alone.)
Point Four: Uh..yeah...is months/years a long enough break? I haven't touched my Charmed stories in a LONG time. Eck.
Point Five: Ask a friend? ... ummm ... I can't. I have my ideas and other people would "ruin" them. It even gets me in RPs sometimes. THOUGH, i am currently teaming up with someone to work on a Gossip Girl fic that is from a Challenge. So, that works, though, again, the ideas are all in my head, and sometimes I feel that it would get distorted talking it through. lol.
POINT TWO is my favorite. I really like that one. I think I'm gonna try that. Now, if only I could find the time to sit and try to write pieces of the puzzle(s).
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Post by StoryGirl83 on Jun 25, 2008 0:26:14 GMT -4
1) Hmm. Never tried that. No wait . . . I am actually rewriting a story (not a fanfic) because apparently the character I had as the bad guy would never do the things I was making him do and actually loved his brothers.
2) I love that. I have a story that I actually have about six or seven different files for, because I am writing that many pieces of it at once. I did manage to combine two of them, but there is so much that still needs combining.
3) Yeah. That is why I have several hundred unfinished stories on my computer. I have the hardest time finishing things. Writing Charmed fanfics has actually helped me finish things, because I have people reading them and I want to give them what happens next. I have no one who really listens to my non fanfics for very long at home, though I did interest a girl at work with one. She and her mom where very helpful, so I am rewriting part of it.
4) Watching TV doesn't usually help much, but sometimes I walk around the block or go out on the trampoline and work stories out in my head there. I just start talking and let the characters decided what they are doing.
5) It is fun to have beta's. I do want to keep my stories mine (for the most part) but I like the input of others, telling me if they like it, if it makes sense. Now sometimes I don't want it to make sense yet, but not too much of that. Basically I would adore someone who would let me just read my stories to them and tell me in detail what they thought.
As to other ideas . . . well, sometimes it helps me if I thing about where the story is suppose to go and distance myself from that scene so that I can see where that scene should be heading and see if it is heading that way. Hope that makes sense.
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simymonna
Future Whitelighter
[M0:0]
Posts: 40
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Post by simymonna on Jan 1, 2009 17:59:24 GMT -4
I have had in every fanfic I have written ( it's more then just my season 9 story! I have written 15 dutch story's as well and i'm trying to write a book!) a writter's block!
It sucks! But What I do to get over it is just this!
First: I watch Charmed!
Second: Reading other people's fanfictions!
Third: My beloved Charmed fans! (I have 28 Charmed season 9 fans)
Forth: Reading the story's again!
Five: Looking at my season 9, 10, 11 and 12 notes I made years ago!
Six: GOING OUT FOR A WALK WITH MY DOG!! ( haha had to do that in caps! It really helps me!) (!!mostoffly I do this at first!)
Es your 2 point! I always use that one! I have all my plots worked out! Always have to cut some points!
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Post by Lexi on Nov 2, 2010 9:19:11 GMT -4
I realised that I've never posted in here but I'm always struggling with writer's block - usually it's if I've been working on something for too long and it's my head's way to telling me to try something else for a while. But, like you Es, it's when I'm trying to make my character do something that just isn't them. It's one of the reasons I stopped writing Angels and Demons - I'd changed their characters that much over time and they'd become people that they just never were supposed to be. I'd stopped wanting to write them since I'd destroyed them. It's a little sad really. Anyway, my ways of getting over writer's block are very similar to Es'. 1) I leave the story alone. Either move on to something else or I read a book/go to the gym. Actually, when I swim or run, that's when I can have the story work out itself or I think of a completely new direction to go in. 2) Ask a friend. Yes, I would rather it be my idea but there are times that you need someone to talk to, to see if an idea would work or whether it is completely stupid. What you may think is good for a character isn't the way that character should be written but only a friend can spot that one for you. I had something like that very recently which Es and StoryGirl helped me to spot that and change it - so thank you to them  What you need to remember when asking a friend is that you always have the final say - it is your story after all. When I beta, it's always a suggestion, at the end of the day, it's not my story it's the person who's writing it. 3) This is different to Es' points...just go with the flow. So, you've planned something out but you can't seem to write what you've planned. Instead, you've had a completely different idea that would take your story in a completely different direction. Just go with it. Sometimes, that is exactly what your character wants to do not what you want them to do. 4) Just write about anything at all. Open a new document and just type whatever is coming into your head. It may not make sense and it may not have anything to do with what you wanted to write for your story, but it can help. It keeps your fingers moving on the keyboard and still keeps your brain working. It goes back to when I said, "sometimes I've been working on something too long", by just writing about anything, it's reset my brain so that a new idea can pop up. Even just coming onto a board and discussing something can help with writer's block... |
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Post by StoryGirl83 on Nov 2, 2010 10:57:33 GMT -4
Go with the flow. Yeah, I know that idea well. It's why some of my stories take twists and turns I never thought they would. It's why I have one episode in my series that I keep moving around, the flow of the other stories keeps relocating it. I've had characters pop up that I never ever thought would show up. I've had to alter story lines because of significant issues that happened. It's things like that which help keep things interesting.
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Post by Lexi on Nov 2, 2010 11:07:55 GMT -4
It also keeps the brain working well so keeps ideas fresh and then the story doesn't have a chance to get boring to write - something that I can see leading to writer's block. It's happened to me too, in fact, it's happened really recently with an episode of Chosen |
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WitchWRITER M.C. 
2008 WitchWRITER
What you need to remember when asking a friend is that you always have the final say - it is your story after all. When I beta, it's always a suggestion, at the end of the day, it's not my story it's the person who's writing it.