Last month, I partially answered this question. Here’s a snippet of my response (or you can go back and read that response in its entirety): Writing blocks for me are usually of two varieties: the first is when trying to flesh out details with a current work in progress (WIP); the second is a full-on what’s my next story. Since each of these have very different resolutions for me, I split them into different newsletters. Last month, I answered details of the WIP. This month, I’ll answer what happens when I’m stumped for ideas.
What’s my next story? I don’t have any ideas! Now that’s a block. My problem isn’t in having an idea—I keep a virtual folder of ideas for future stories. Little tidbits of history or people that I think could potentially be developed into something are typed and filed for future reference (i.e. short story, novella, novel, screen play—once I determine the story, the medium usually shows itself). I have even taken the time when initially entering the information to write a short paragraph of my idea. The problem for me is finding what the story will be. My solution? Just keep writing. It’s painful, mostly unproductive, but until I’ve tried on the story I won’t know what works and what doesn’t. Honestly, I shouldn’t say it’s unproductive, I find this process helps with writing in different voices as I try on different characters, different time periods. It helps me hone my skills at recognizing my strengths, while affording practice in the areas I’m weak. But it always results in finding a story. There is a bit of a cheat in here too: by having a file with ideas, it’s usually the idea that won’t go away that becomes my next project. I may practice writing other narratives from my handy-dandy list of ideas, but I, apparently, tend to let things marinate in the ole grey matter until they gel. If an idea sticks with me, either a character or an event that won’t leave me alone, I know I have something.
There’s a second part to this. I never only work on one project. I may be focused on one during the initial drafting process, but by the time I’m rewriting and editing, I’m already starting to outline the next project. Also, I get ideas for scenes first. I do not write in a linear fashion. I have very strong ideas about characters, then scenes, then sit and write. So, in essence, I’m never not writing.
And just like I said last month, a lot of working through a block is learning more about my writing process, and the only way to work through, and learn, my process is to just do it.