In my last post I talked about ways to get inspired for fiction. But what if you already have a list of potential story ideas a mile long, you start writing, and then BAM, right in the middle of the story you get stuck. You don’t know how to finish the story, or even how to proceed from where you are. Sounds troubling, right? Well, you can either look at it as burdensome writer’s block, or you use
it as an opportunity.

First, I’m a firm believer in the mantra that it’s better to finish a bad story, then to let a good one die. At least with a bad story, you can edit, re-write, or just shelve it for future reference. But if you let a story die and throw away the partial manuscript in a fit of rage, then you have nothing to work with in the future.

Second, remember that this happens to all writers. It’s normal. The only difference is how writers handle getting stuck in the middle of story/novel. I can tell you now, though, that if the writer is constantly being published, they probably don’t throw the work out in frustration.

Continue Reading

Writer’s block is the one thing that every writer fears
(that and not getting published). It can strike at any time; whether you’re right in the middle of a story/novel/essay, or just beginning.

What if you want to write a short story (for example), but the ideas just aren’t flowing?

If you keep an idea journal, then it shouldn’t be too hard to look back at previous entries for some inspiration. If you don’t have an idea journal (something every writer should have), then you must look for outside inspiration.

Continue Reading