The other night I was cruising along with my NaNoWriMo project. Then I hit a plot road block. I'd written through my prepared index cards. I knew where I was headed, I just didn't know how I wanted to get there. I was lost, and realized a few kinks needed to be worked out.
There's conflicting advice on how to handle this. Some say we should work straight through it. Write anything, and eventually we'll work our way out of it. Others say we should put on the brakes: take a walk, go for a run, or shut down everything and take a breather.
I followed the latter advice. I didn't want to write gibberish that would have to be slashed and burned later. I stepped away from the keyboard, curled back against a big pillow, and watched a chick flick. It was the perfect fix.
By the following morning I'd already prepared a fresh stack of index cards. With my new road map before me, I was cruising ahead in the right direction.
How do you handle writing speed bumps or road blocks? I'd love to hear your solutions.
photo credits: google images
Your solution is very typical to mine. I take a break, take a nap, do laundry or vacuum, go for a walk, or watch a movie. I think films are really inspirational because they so closely follow plot points and story structure.
ReplyDeleteWell, first I ranted. I whimpered a little bit, too. Then, like you, I walked away. I puttered around the house, had a snack, whined some more, and then - it was just there.
ReplyDeleteI already have enough to rework; I didn't want anymore, either. I'm glad we both were able to work it out. Which chick flick?
I'm kind of the same way. I have to sit back and think it over because I don't want to write something I'll just cut later. My favorite thing to do is brainstorm with a friend. That almost always works!
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the plot knot... Sometimes I walk away, sometimes I push forward and just write something. Sometimes it depends on my mood... If I'm in an "I'm awesome and can totally do this" mood, I'll push forward. Sometimes I just have a conversation with my husband. Even if it's not related to writing he'll sometimes say the perfect thing that gives me a solution.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, I'm a pantser. I think index cards are only good for bookmarks. Wait. I don't even use bookmarks... :)
Amy
I've tried both ways. If I try to force it, I just write myself into a corner and end up chucking a large bunch of words. If I take a break, my subconscious tends to worry away at it and it gets solved. Needless to say, I now opt for taking a break!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, and I'm glad you were able to get back on track!
Sometimes I take a break and just think about the story. Other times, I skip ahead a few scenes and go back later to the part that I'm stuck on. It depends on the story.
ReplyDeleteI've just started a new method to see how it works for me... I'm using charts (because I'm actually a freak who LIKES charts!) and I'm feeling more organized with the WIP now... hopefully that'll translate into smoother going with getting the rest of the words out! Good luck with yours! :D
ReplyDeleteI usually skip ahead or just write the gibberish even if I'll have to take it out later. What works differs depending on what type of writer you are. Because I don't plot, just continuing with the writing helps me. After a few days, I go back and find it much easier to write.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hate writer's blocks and I have a number of them that appear from time to time, some due to tiredness and others for no apparent reason at all. The toughtest part for me is to write for the idea and to worry about polishing the content later.
ReplyDeleteJane
I'm kind of in the former camp--I write through it and then revise or cut the garbage it took to get back on track. You never know--sometimes there's a pearl in the muck~ :D
ReplyDeleteglad you're back on track! woo!!!
I fumble ahead until I hit a groove again. At least for NaNo. Normally, I think about it overnight and a solution hits me the next morning.
ReplyDeleteAnd keep writing! We're both going to make it!
I write a tad more and then I take a break for a walk or listen to music to see if the words inspire me at all...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed visiting your blog...Congrats on NaNoWriMo...because I needed to finish a book that is being sent to the eidtor for publishing, I became a NaNoWriMo 'drop-out' but there is always next year!..
Interesting post, Julie. That last sign would have me a little confused if I came across it while driving, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, guys. It's fun to know how each of you works through the road blocks!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty similar, I like to go for a walk, watch a couple of episodes of something, do something to relax my brain and let it run the sub-programs it needs to. My other method involves talking it out with somebody. Usually by the time I'm finished explaining the problem, the solution's arrived, and I dash off to start typing!
ReplyDeleteI tend to handle it like you. I walk away, usually wrap myself in someone else's work for a while and do some beta testing or something to clear my mind. Usually when I come back, the path seems clear (or at least, clearer)
ReplyDeleteThe solution doesn't come to me right away, even if I take a writing break. I keep writing and then I go back and fix things.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a nap or a shower helps the brain break loose. Sometimes rewatching Michael Hauge's The Heroes Journey does the trick.
ReplyDeleteI wrote the first draft of my WIP., by the seat of my pants and found that I'd plotted myself into a corner. Sometimes it took a week or two of mulling, before I was able to work my way out. Before beginning the second draft, I read a few "how to" books and outlined the entire novel. So far, (knock on wood) I have not ran into the "road block problem." Best of luck on your novel.
ReplyDeleteI tend to do both, but when I just can't find the words, I know it's time to take a break and go do something else. My only problem with that is I have to be careful to make sure that "something else" doesn't turn into days or weeks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to get back on track and keep writing!!!
I don't just write through it. I take a break or work on something else or sit with a notebook and just start listing a bunch of what ifs. Glad you got through it!
ReplyDeleteOh, excellent way of working through something! Like you, I detest writing oodles of words that I may have to slash later. And--as you happily discovered--a break seems to help, to let your subconscious untangle the tangles and come up with a way out of the plot dilemma. I sometimes come up with new plot twists that way!
ReplyDeleteI've found the plot whisperer blog, which I blogged about recently. She explains how my road blocks are to do with me not being enough of a plotter/dramatic action writer. I tend to go off for a walk or do housework to mull over things, but the advice I think is invaluable is to know where the story is headed in the first place. :O)
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I have to do! It is always so frustrating when you write a lot and end up scraping it anyway. I'm so glad you found what you needed. Cuddling up with a chick flick sounds amazing, btw :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to take a break when I hit the plot bumps. I need to let it filter around in my subconscious for a while and let my characters find their way :)
ReplyDeletethe author julia cameron suggests 3 pages of nonstop writing every morning (hence 'morning pages') whether it be jibberish or what - just to loosen up the psyche and let stuff flow.
ReplyDeleteYou found a very sensible way through it. & it didn't take you long at all.
ReplyDeleteI usually go for a walk. Sometimes a very long walk.
I put my devil horns on, rub my hands together, say "mwahaha," then decide how to turn up the heat under my characters. And they thought they were just going to skate through this story. Think again! My iPod and I are also seriously dating. We go on long walks and banter plot twists.
ReplyDeleteI do the same as you, but I take a bigger break, work on something else for a while. NaNo is almost over! I bet you've made a ton of progress. Congrats. :)
ReplyDeleteLike you Julie, I take a break rather than write gibberish. I go for a walk, chat on the phone with a friend, listen to music, or read a book.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you. I take a break and think it through for a few days. I would hate to keep writing for the sake of it and then have to delete it all! Ugh!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I'm a full steam ahead kind of person, I think there are some situations where you just need to stop and find your bearings. So good job! I can't wait to see what you wrote!
ReplyDeleteI plot through them. I ask myself questions about the previous scene and where the book should go next. Works every time! Congrats on getting through!
ReplyDeleteThis happened early one, and I'm glad I took a break. Much better ideas cmae to me. Soemtimes it's just time for a movie-plus it's cold and time to cuddle with a blanket LOL
ReplyDeleteI take the dog for a walk. It works nearly every time.
ReplyDeleteI definitely put on the breaks, too, Julie! One time I tried to push through and ended up with a big mess that felt impossible to fix. It probably wasn't impossible, but that's how it felt.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got through your block!
Amy
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