I’m right there with you Liz. I went through a horrible writer’s block with my WIP young-adult novel for a couple months. There are two major storylines within the novel, one set during the French Revolution, the other in Paris in 2005.

I’ve been working on making the present-day storyline as strong and as detailed as the French Revolution one, but I kept getting stuck. I finally had to admit to myself that I didn’t know enough about my characters (which after a year and a half of working on the story was hard to do!) I’m currently ‘taking a step back’ and writing short stories based on my character’s pasts. So far, it’s helping SO MUCH. I’ve been writing about this process of moving back to move forward on my blog: http://lizsink.blogspot.com/2009/03/to-move-forward-look-back.html

I hope this helps!

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By Liz S on 03.08.09 1:55 pm | Permalink

I am going to try that! I’ve been stuck on a YA novel. And you’re right, I don’t know my characters well enough.
Thanks so much for the advice Liz S.

Great post Liz D.

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By Sarah Jensen on 03.08.09 2:05 pm | Permalink

Right now I am having more editor’s block than writer’s block… so that’s super frustrating for me! Like I love my story so much that I am having trouble editing it! hehe any suggestions there?

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By ~Jamie on 03.08.09 3:43 pm | Permalink

Because I *never* make outlines, when I get stuck, it’s usually because of plot…and I don’t know what will happen next. Usually this results in me just forcing myself to sit down and write SOMETHING…and it usually works itself out.

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By beth on 03.08.09 6:16 pm | Permalink

Mine is always time, time, time. I finally had a few hours the other day to sit and relax and think about my story. I was all prepared and excited when I hear beep, beep, beep. 501 you are needed at the Gunnison Hospital for a 1039 transport to Utah valley. The dissapointment just sank me! I love my job, but sometimes I just want a chance to sit around and write. My kids and HUSBAND are always there to inturrupt as well. Good luck and I hope we all can get past our blocks and move on with our stories.

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By Gunnisac Sandersons on 03.09.09 10:14 am | Permalink

Jamie, as far as editing, it always helps me to leave the manuscript for awhile and put my focus completely into something else. Then when I return I can look at the piece more objectively. As far as getting stuck writing, I’ve recently gone through that. I found that it helped to read through something else I’d already written (even better if it is the story you’re working on) especially something I enjoyed. I helps encourage me to start writing again and get me in the feel of the story. Good luck!

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By Cindy on 03.09.09 11:51 am | Permalink

My issue right now is character. I wrote the previous versions of my book without really knowing my male character. Now that I want to add his POV I find myself struggling to really communicate who he is. I just hadn’t bothered to know him the way I did my MC. Now I find myself laying in bed letting my mind think of what he would do, how he would feel, what he would say. Instead of how my MC views his words and actions.

I like the short story idea. I might try that.

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By judall on 03.09.09 1:41 pm | Permalink

Judall, do a character sketch. it will help too

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By Sarah Jensen on 03.09.09 2:06 pm | Permalink

I’ve had so many problems, how to choose just one? Sigh.

Here’s an interesting one. I have a certain sequence of events I want to tell, which can’t be from the MC’s pov. Question is, who’s pov *should* I use?

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By Tara Maya on 03.10.09 11:51 am | Permalink

Tara have you thought of using more than one POV? I have one in legend, but in In the Dark, I have four. Or have you thought of a narrative POV at points, written in third.
IN THE DARK is first person for my mc and third for the others
That seems to work for me.

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By Sarah Jensen on 03.10.09 1:06 pm | Permalink