Melanie Nilles

I believe in writer’s block, but I don’t. Right now, you’re thinking “Huh?”

Let me explain…

In my experience, there are times when, during the writing process, we sit and nothing comes. Creativity has nearly stopped. I bring this up now because I was recently at that point in my current work-in-progress. It’s like someone kinked the hose from which the story was flowing with the spicket opened full out. The flow of the writing stops suddenly, or just drips. The key to overcoming it is to understand the reason it happens. Each of us is different and each time it happens may have a different cause. The most basic reasons, listed in order of importance, are as follows:

1. Where you are going is wrong for the story and your unconscious mind knows it. Although you aren’t consciously aware of it, something has to give. In this case, it’s the story flow.

2. You’re thinking too hard about techniques of writing and not letting the plot and characters show you the way. Yes, as the writer, you need to guide them. However, when you hit that mark where the characters come alive and take over the story, let them have their way! It’s a great ride, so enjoy it! Any mistakes or errors can be fixed in editing. Just get the first draft done!

3. Are you fearing simply sitting down to write? Why are you afraid of that blank screen? We all face it. I faced it starting this post, but I knew I had to start somewhere. Don’t worry about how your next scene starts right now. Type/write something. Anything. One word will lead to the next. One sentence will lead to the next. You can go back and edit later, just write something.

Some of the methods to help regain the flow of your story include the following:

1. Set a specific time each day and a specific place to sit and write. Your unconscious mind will associate a specific place with writing and will open the nozzle on your creative flow. Also, by sticking to the same time, your circadian rhythm will kick into play and your mind will open up to the ideas. This is how I write best. Just learn from my mistake and don’t sit in bed and write or your mind will associate the bed with writing and not with sleeping, which leads me to the next fix.

2. Sleep, eat, and exercise. Sleep, perchance to dream. We all need a good rest for our body and mind. Eat healthy and exercise. Consuming the right foods, with an occasional splurge, is what we need anyway. And it’s amazing how much better our brains function when we eat healthy foods high in vitamins and minerals and low in fats. Last, exercise oxygenates our blood, which all our muscles need, including our brains.

3. Music can be inspirational. For me, like many other writers, music can cue a specific story. For Legend of the White Dragon, I had to listen to new age. For my current WIP and Dark Angel, it’s rock/pop and some modern country. I usually find songs/melodies that fit certain characters or scenes. When I can put myself in the “zone”, I can write from any point in the story.

4. Meditation can be a big help in relaxing and loosening up those synapses. You don’t need anything special, except a quiet place where you can sit and time. Lying down usually makes me fall asleep. You only need to take enough time to focus your mind on your story, whether replaying a scene, imagining a conversation with one or more characters, wondering how they would handle a real-life problem, or (my favorite) constructing an upcoming scene, which I then make notes about to help keep the story going.

5. BIC (butt in chair). Need I say more?

That’s my take on what people call “writer’s block”. I don’t believe in any block, just a creative slowdown. Anyone can overcome it. Take the time to analyze why you may be having trouble writing and try one or a combination of methods to remove that kink from your hose.

Now it’s time for me to get back to my story.