Lesson #1: Writer's Block

Hey, guys!

I've decided to do a special few little blog posts here and there, all about writing tips!
I used to have a book titled "Writing Tips" (how creative, right?) on Wattpad, and I used to add on to it every so often.
But...I deleted it :P
So, I'm going to do blog posts instead! How fun is that?!

So here we go! Without further ado, lesson numero uno!

Lesson #1: Writer's Block


Scenario: You're sitting in front of your computer screen. It looks just how you feel: blank. You don't know what to write. Or, maybe, you have something written, and you have no motherflippin' idea how you're going to continue it.


Okay! So, usually people don't start talking about writer's blocks till later, but the thing is, Writer's Blocks can start before you even start writing, so may as well start with it. (Why not?)

The thing is, I've learned there are three different types of Writer's block:

A) You don't know what to write. At all. Everything you're writing is just wrong.
B) You know you should be writing, but instead you end up sitting on the couch, eating potato chips, watching reruns of How I Met Your Mother or Gossip Girl, and...not writing.
C) You're so excited and you have a new story or chapter planned out all in your head. This is going to happen, then this is going to happen. Only problem? You don't know how to start it.

I'll address every single one independently...

Writer's Block Type A: You're stumped.


Let's face it: everything you write--word, phrase, sentence, paragraph--it's just...off. You hate it. You want so hard to pick up the computer and fling it across the room. Now, now. I know it's frustrating, but trust me when I say that it won't help at all. In fact, it'll make things worse, because not only will you have not solved your problem, but now you need to be a new expensive computer.
In order to solve this, you need to take a step back and a inhale some deep breathes. Look at the story from what you have so far. When I say look, I mean really analyze it. Maybe that'll help. But truth be told, it probably won't. So take a break. Bake some cookies. Go on a run (Tip: Exercise always helps get the oxygen flowing! It helps bring your mind into clarity and focus). Walk your dog. Watch reruns of How I Met Your Mother and laugh. Take an hour. A day. A week. Whatever it takes.
Now that you've had a break, do you feel some of the stress lifted off? Yes? You do? Good. Now, take a pencil or pen and write out the first five thoughts you have for the upcoming chapter.

You have it? Now write.

The thing is, these are the kind of things that you, as a writer, will run into all the time. You can't let it stop you. Write something totally bogus and make it work, if you have to. This kind of writer's block is the kind you need to write around. It's a major pain in the butt, but that's the suffering you endure as a writer. Get used to it, or stop writing. Simple as that.

Writer's Block Type B: You're just plain lazy.


Seriously. If you have Type B, why are you reading this right now? You should be writing! I don't care if you need to see your great aunt or if the dog needs a bath. You're being lazy. Go and write. Shut off the Wireless and leave Facebook logged out and just write. I have nothing to say to you if the reason you're not writing is simply 'cause you're lazy.

Writer's Block Type C: You've got too many ideas flowing.

Honestly, I envy you if you have too many ideas. I sometimes don't have enough.
Anyway, what you should do: write the first chapter (or paragraph) of the story/chapter in as many different ways as you can choose. Maybe you want to write a story about a popular girl falling for her nerdy best friend, but because of her reputation, she rejects when he asks her out. How are you going to start it? Maybe you can start it when they're 8 years old, and they've just met on the playground. Or, you could start it with him getting rejected by his so-called best friend. OR...you could start it with him coming back after two years.
Write out as many as you can think. I've always loved writing first chapters. They come the easiest to me (the rest of the writing sucks, hahaha!). Ask a friend to read them and choose the best. Read them to your cat. Post all of them and have your readers vote. I dunno. Just choose one already!

So! There you have it. First little lesson. Well, they're not really lessons so much as they are tips, but...I hope this helps!

Later, alligator!

--Ivers