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Posted By: * raye * Feb 07, 2005 - 12:36 pm

have you ever gotten writers block like, twelve pages in? i think i have. i mean, i think i do. how do i get around it???

Posted By: Magus Feb 07, 2005 - 12:49 pm

Look at what you have so far. Think about what you want to do with the story, think about it in great detail and write it down that wayt to.

Maybe you should restart it, I've done that before. Or maybe you could post what you have already and get feedback on it, suggestions as well.

What's the story about?

Posted By: woody000 Feb 08, 2005 - 07:04 am

I haven't learnt to cope with my own blocks yet, so I can't say much to help you. Personally I get blocked when I'm either very busy, or have nothing else to do. Don't know why I have problems with the second one... somehow I seem to focus on the anticipation of the next time I'll have something to do instead of the writing... it's very weird.

What most people say about blocks though is that you should write anyway. Doesn't matter if you write something which has nothing to do with your story, and if it's a load of rubbish, could even not be co-herant. It's still best to write SOMETHING.

Posted By: Aldan Feb 08, 2005 - 08:34 am

For me, that's true. During my last blocked session, I was stuck, walked away after a few weeks, then a few days later, I sat down and started writing poetry. Then, after a week of that, I looked around and the block was gone.

Posted By: cleasterwood Feb 08, 2005 - 09:59 am

Let's see, I won't be much help either because well lately I can't seem to spit out more than a paragraph a week if I'm lucky. My muse needs a good swift kick in the rear. Sometimes though, going to the beach (I have that luxury, I live in Florida!) or a park or taking a hot bubble bath or listening to music without words work for me. Other times it doesn't matter what I do I still can't get out the words. Once in a while I get stuck after a few pages into the story but most of the time it comes right smack dab in the middle! Wish I could help more but right now my block has lasted about 3 months and there seems to be no end in sight, yet somehow I know that once I do start writing again at least 3-4 chapters will find their way to the surface inside a 1 month period. Take your mind off it by doing something nice for yourself and see if it works.

Posted By: Magus Feb 08, 2005 - 01:16 pm

So... you hear that *Raye*? That meens that you should post more on Lycoria when you're stuck!

Posted By: Aldan Feb 08, 2005 - 08:08 pm

One thing you may try to help you, cleasterbunny, is to try a totally different style of writing for awhile. I used poetry, which can really help because it requires you to explore your emotions, but really any other style would probably work too.

Now, that's not to say you still can't get stuck... since I am once again. However, the reason for it is a bit different than before, since I am trying to overcome a hurdle in my story. I've posted it elsewhere, but basically I've been building up a group of characters, creating a "party". However, due to the rules of Elven society, there are NO OTHER RACES ALLOWED IN THEIR KINGDOM AT ALL, and my Elven character needs to go in there. However, the rest of the party is either non-Elf, only part-Elf or is an Elf in exile, so none can enter with her. This might seem like not a problem, but the trouble I'm experiencing is that most of my description of things comes through her perspective, but I'm not really showing off her thoughts, but rather she's communicating it to the other characters. In this case, however, I'm trying to create a true sense of wonder and I've not come up with a way to really get this across...

So, basically, I'm stuck there. I'm still plotting where the story's going next, but I'm not being able to WRITE... and it's driving me even more crazy!

Posted By: cleasterwood Feb 09, 2005 - 02:25 am

Allen-Aldan,
Easterbunny... Do you know how many times I've heard THAT one?!? lol
I'd love writing poetry, if it wouldn't give me such a hard time too. I try to read books during these periods of blockage hoping the spark will get ignited and I also do alot of background research for my story. I plot my stories out before I even write so that part is well past done.
Let's see here, only Elfs can enter huh? This may be a bit off-base but have you tried disguising the group to look like Elves or will that not work? And why would that pose a problem if only she must enter? I mean, you can still send her back to the group at any time to let them know what's going on so she can explain her sense of wonder to them. Or is that impossible?

My problem is that even though I have a full description of Atlantis thanks to Plato, which is the main informant of my background in the story, I can't seem to get over the 'time-portal jump'. I'm also using Vimanas, mythological creatures like Unicorns, Mermaids, etc, and any other information I can find about the legends from the 10 different cultures I'm using for the story from their myths of the city across the ocean. The MCs must first go to Ancient Egypt's very beginning of time circa pre-10,500 BC so they can find Thoth and he can lead them to Atlantis via boat where they must once again find a way to save the gods from the soon-to-be submersed city. Again my problem is, I can't seem to write it. It simply leaks out like a runny faucet, one drop at a time.

Posted By: * raye * Feb 09, 2005 - 12:09 pm

right now, i tried the poetry thing. heck, i wrote like 5 poems the other day in chemistry and algebra2. not the ost inspiring places, let me tell you. my poetry isnt suffering, just the stories, namely the one i really want to get going!

i think my problem is with the characters. im working on the sequel to a story my friend and I just finished. the Hero from that story married the Heroine and they adopted a boy from the streets who was 1/2 gypsy 1/2 royalty from an ancient line from the far north. cliche, i know, but im afraid that this new hero wont live up to the expectation bar i set with the last one. im hesitating before introducing the Heroine because of the same reason. im afraid the sequel will turn into a retelling of the first one! and if i time line it, thats like digging a hole and burying it! I have part of it typed, I'll post it in showcase so you can see. its called TAGE: pt1

Posted By: Magus Feb 09, 2005 - 12:57 pm

Hmmm... Tough situation... Could you post more about it? How is it so like the first?

Posted By: Aldan Feb 09, 2005 - 08:09 pm

I have a very sharp eye... one might even say that I have the vision of an unnamed bird of prey.

Oh, and as for moving her back and forth, I need to create that sense when she is experiencing it. That way I won't have to sit there and say things like "the glorious oak soared above her head, towering to more than 150 feet, and was filled with wildlife singing their praise to the dawn" or other cliched descriptions of that sort. I wish to have her express it through conversation, but if I move her out of the wood, so much would have taken place in there that her sheer wonder would have become a bit dried and also I need to make sure that the wonder in her voice and mind is very strongly tied in the reader's mind TO THE FOREST. There is a purpose to that as well, but I don't wish to elaborate on it at this time...

Posted By: Magus Feb 10, 2005 - 03:25 pm

... well, at least Aldan's problem is solved now. Now, onto others...