tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post7477654461846671607..comments2024-02-12T15:15:51.364+02:00Comments on The Five Year Project: A to Z Challenge: StuckMisha Gerrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-39873173215849915292011-04-24T00:35:07.493+02:002011-04-24T00:35:07.493+02:00I have that problem sometimes, even though I outli...I have that problem sometimes, even though I outline first. Usually though, I just start the chapters that are more clear to me and then go back and work on the rest. When I get really stuck with a part I want to finish right away, I take a break. This break consists of blarring music in my headphones and pictureing the scene I want to do until I see it clearly.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16915440989018472093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-16354360206157756362011-04-23T17:25:33.948+02:002011-04-23T17:25:33.948+02:00Fresh air really helps to get me thinking, too, St...Fresh air really helps to get me thinking, too, Stina. <br /><br />Clarissa, I've also found that writing something else helps, but I do that as a last resort, simply because I don't like how easily my concentration can be diverted. ^_^<br /><br />I've never tried writing prompts before, Laura M. Maybe I should. <br /><br />Elena, glad to hear I'm not the only one.<br /><br />Laura J, I find that too. Once I stopped deleting, my story actually improved simply because I have to be extra creative to solve problems. And those solutions usually carry through to solve problems I never realized existed. <br /><br />Dafeena, that happens to me too. But sometimes it's good that I don't write down immediately, because then my mind tends to expand on the idea until it becomes something really brilliant. <br /><br />Lauracea, even though I never thought of it as a game, most of the solutions I get comes when something makes me think of a what if question.<br /><br />Hehehe Michael that's where the fresh ideas come in. ;-P<br /><br />Thanks Lesley. I tried the writing anything trick, but forcing myself write results in my words drying up completely. Then it's not just about writing stuff that sucks. It's about not being able to write at all. <br /><br />Hehehe Wendy, there are a few of us that I've found. I think you're number eight (including expats). En, nee, ek is nie mal genoeg om op paasnaweek te ry nie. ;-)<br /><br />Jeanne that makes sense. Sort of like me with poetry. As long as I don't limit the topic of my poems, I can whip one up in a few seconds. Never a problem. But when it comes to story lines that have to flow while making sense... That's a different scenario altogether. <br /><br />Marjorie, I do that when I write poetry too. I find it a lot easier than trying to find a solution to a plot problem. <br /><br />LOL Snakesmom sometimes my most brilliant solution takes place while I shower. That month's bill will be high, because I lose track of time when my mind goes into story mode. ;-)<br /><br />Jo, those things help me too. New music in particular. <br /><br />Tracy, I'm more of a vodka kind of girl. ;-P<br /><br />Kendal, I do that as a last resort. Usually do the writing break first. If I then get an indescribable urge to write, but can't write my main WiP, I go to something else. <br /><br />Thanks Gary! Hope you're having a great Easter. See you Penny!<br /><br />Shelly, I do that too when I have characterization or voice issues. <br /><br />Thanks for dropping by, Sharon. New eyes really can make a big difference when it comes to solving problems. <br /><br />Shannon, I also keep all my abandoned versions for in case I need something. I never do though. But I just KNOW that the day I clean up my folders, I'll need something I deleted. <br /><br />Amanda, it must be great to be able to move forward without getting stuck. I can understand what you mean about edits. I can see how I'm going to suffer with that, given that I drafted my MS with a "this is writ in stone" mentality. Giving my internal editor free rein seems like a tricky idea. <br /><br />Hehehe Trisha, having everything planned to the minutest detail gets me bored too. I like the fact that my story can completely surprise me. If I have to suffer some problems and set-backs, so be it. I also start random scenes when I don't know where to go next. That random scene invariably leads somewhere interesting. ^_^<br /><br />Lol Anime that is quite an apt description. I also have .5 steps for Blogging. Until one of my readers tell me to snap out of it. ^_^Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-3954790040414058682011-04-23T12:22:51.920+02:002011-04-23T12:22:51.920+02:00Ahh...this would be what is otherwise known as my ...Ahh...this would be what is otherwise known as my vortex of suckery... LOL<br /><br />It's the place that I go to every time I get stuck or start thinking things that would lead to the sticking. Ha! <br /><br />I totally go through all of steps 1-6, except that before each official step, there would be step.5 for Twitter. LOL!Anihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10708453250023278530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-78011136156778301782011-04-23T08:00:14.566+02:002011-04-23T08:00:14.566+02:00I tend to just start some random scene, having no ...I tend to just start some random scene, having no idea where it is going to go, when I've been stuck. As long as I'm writing something, that's what matters!<br /><br />I must admit though, when I was writing according to a plan (I am a pantser at heart) I didn't get stuck but I did get rather bored at times ;)Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-90230981499671214102011-04-23T06:43:39.364+02:002011-04-23T06:43:39.364+02:00I'm very meticulous about moving forward, so I...I'm very meticulous about moving forward, so I never really hit dead ends. But I do get stuck on the way things used to be while editing. I'll see a line and not quite like something about it, but it's been that way forever. It feels permanent, like I couldn't change it if I wanted to. But...I'm the author, I realize. I CAN change it. And then I feel this rush of power as I rewrite scenes to make more sense, taking out the trash and restoring order. =)Amanda the Aspiringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10983953436816551075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-35161663565272665752011-04-23T06:28:04.828+02:002011-04-23T06:28:04.828+02:00I made several false starts on the novel I'm w...I made several false starts on the novel I'm working on. It wasn't until I scrapped it over and over again that found the right start and was able to take off. One thing I do, though, is cut and paste what I'm deleting into a different file just in case there is something salvageable in there. I have been able to use a few scenes over in a better place before.<br /><br />Really, taking a break works best for me. Sometimes I can sit and ask myself questions about what I'm writing and brainstorm on a piece of paper.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-52788421975531228982011-04-23T05:12:13.021+02:002011-04-23T05:12:13.021+02:00Thanks for your visit to my blog and your comment....Thanks for your visit to my blog and your comment. I'm like you, when I get stuck I have to leave it for awhile and go back. Usually that enables me to see with new eyes.Sharon - Grandma is a Writerhttp://grandmaisawriter.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-53744531843601473832011-04-23T03:27:26.278+02:002011-04-23T03:27:26.278+02:00I speak out loud with my characters and a dialogue...I speak out loud with my characters and a dialogue begins.shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09596621767297173021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-7584296163267080292011-04-23T02:12:39.048+02:002011-04-23T02:12:39.048+02:00Hi Misha,
I never get stuck. I just stick with it...Hi Misha,<br />I never get stuck. I just stick with it and before you know it, more awe inspiring words dance from my fingers and delight the keyboard with my profound musings. <br />And besides, I'm getting loads of inspiration from all of you doing this amazing 'alphabet challenge' :)<br />Right then, I Gary, shy and humble Gary shall now go back to his rather unknown blog. I shall sit here and have a cup of 'T' :)<br />Have a peaceful Easter.<br />In kindness, Gary and Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star.klahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-23960698952185538682011-04-23T00:11:06.911+02:002011-04-23T00:11:06.911+02:00I read an interview once with Dave Eggers where he...I read an interview once with Dave Eggers where he said he always has multiple projects working at once. That way when he is procrastinating or feeling stuck with one of them he can work on a different project. That's what I usually try to do, but when I'm really burnt out I put all writing away and spend a few weeks pleasure reading. I consider it time spent refueling.Kendalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14295607591155106798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-5621158980607971372011-04-22T22:38:52.556+02:002011-04-22T22:38:52.556+02:00I try to push thorugh it and just keep writing eve...I try to push thorugh it and just keep writing even if I might have to delete it later. Deleting too much has caused me to lose some good flow and ideas. If pushing through fails, how about a gin and tonic?Tracyhttp://www.ihaveabackbone.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-34815809886630728702011-04-22T22:38:22.194+02:002011-04-22T22:38:22.194+02:00Reading a good book, listening to music and going ...Reading a good book, listening to music and going for a walk get me un-stuck!<br />I'm mostly a pantster too. (=Jo Schafferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11514820971898568397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-48582262094072940112011-04-22T22:32:15.243+02:002011-04-22T22:32:15.243+02:00I am the delete, delete, delete queen! lol I get ...I am the delete, delete, delete queen! lol I get so stuck, then for some reason every time I take a shower I get some briliant idea that makes me really wish I had a piece of paper in there! Life! lol Great post. :)Snakesmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615140855727065026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-83350708807491934832011-04-22T21:59:35.806+02:002011-04-22T21:59:35.806+02:00Really I try to reach down and find something in m...Really I try to reach down and find something in my life I can draw from, but because I write mostly poetry that may be easier to do. I don't know what I would do on a novel.Marjoriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09958530958484080973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-69972827887806707982011-04-22T21:06:18.446+02:002011-04-22T21:06:18.446+02:00For some reason I don't get stuck. I think it ...For some reason I don't get stuck. I think it is because of the type of writing I do. Humor for women. Everything in life is fodder for my writing and I just have to write it down and remember why it appealed to me. I have plenty of inspiration. Don't know how I would do with fiction....I think that is another whole ball of wax.jkraus8464https://www.blogger.com/profile/15138306757339514666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-30483814651154636312011-04-22T20:46:50.149+02:002011-04-22T20:46:50.149+02:00I'm so excited you came over. We are a very ra...I'm so excited you came over. We are a very rare species in bloggerville so we must rally together. I wish more South Africans would blog. Drat...<br />Happy easter to you too. I hope you're not travelling. Dit klink soos a nagmeri en a half.Wendy@FabNouveauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279778187031288695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-57175999698775790482011-04-22T20:23:10.840+02:002011-04-22T20:23:10.840+02:00Sorry to hear about your stuckiness, Misha. :(
I h...Sorry to hear about your stuckiness, Misha. :(<br />I have deadlines for school, etc., so when I get stuck I just make myself write something, anything. Giving myself permission to write something really horrible helps. (And when I come back it's usually not that horrible). If it's a plotting issue, sometimes I skip over the troublesome section. Good luck!lesleylsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872977902924014581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-6530955692353747782011-04-22T19:31:46.144+02:002011-04-22T19:31:46.144+02:00When I get stuck, I hope someone will come along a...When I get stuck, I hope someone will come along and lube me up so I can get unstuck...Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-74557634084151447432011-04-22T18:47:37.957+02:002011-04-22T18:47:37.957+02:00Me too - I go away and leave it alone. Something u...Me too - I go away and leave it alone. Something usually hits me a day or two later (such as change the secondary character or turn the whole thing on its head and begin at another beginning). Have you tried the "What if...?" question. It works for some.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186491465911432817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-81729102280315760812011-04-22T17:39:19.303+02:002011-04-22T17:39:19.303+02:00I am like you. I have to just let it be. When it&#...I am like you. I have to just let it be. When it's ready, it will come. The more I try to force it, the more stuck I get. Usually it comes when I least expect it and am not prepared to write.Dafeenahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03078199274088729529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-35183052843100287302011-04-22T17:07:20.895+02:002011-04-22T17:07:20.895+02:00Giving it some time and space works well, and talk...Giving it some time and space works well, and talking with someone who knows what I'm writing so I can bounce ideas off of them. <br /><br />I'm a total pantser and so yes, I get stuck, but I've found that a lot of times writing myself into a box can be the best thing for my story. Yes, it's frustrating, but oftentimes the solution to getting me out of the box isn't something I would have written otherwise. I've been introduced to new characters who end up being vital because I wrote myself into a corner.Laura Josephsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04239501665574945313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-70910822007439417892011-04-22T17:01:26.925+02:002011-04-22T17:01:26.925+02:00That's what I do too, just let it sit, return ...That's what I do too, just let it sit, return when the inspiration hits again.Elena Solodowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03037029195682225565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-73359048534206940652011-04-22T16:36:00.925+02:002011-04-22T16:36:00.925+02:00I do a writing prompt. That helps me a lot because...I do a writing prompt. That helps me a lot because new ideas often come to while I'm writing. Taking a break to read a good book or watch a good movie also helps!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-1940151508558858522011-04-22T16:31:59.424+02:002011-04-22T16:31:59.424+02:00SOmetimes I just have to take pause or try a diffe...SOmetimes I just have to take pause or try a different project. You're right, sometimes we just need to step away.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-73298389491879877722011-04-22T16:09:26.474+02:002011-04-22T16:09:26.474+02:00I outline but I still get stuck. Stuck at how I...I outline but I still get stuck. Stuck at how I'm going to start the scene. Stuck at what my character is going to say next. But it all works out into the end. And if it doesn't, I go for a run and the answers come to me then. :DStinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.com