Greetings fellow creative writers. No matter what stage in your writing process you are in, how long you have been a writer, or what format you’re story is in, writer’s block is an obstacle. So I have designed a tentative list of exercises for anyone at any stage to help you progress through your story.
1. What is the worst thing that could happen to your character right now?
Your character has fears and weaknesses, right? The purpose of your story is to help them overcome those fears and weaknesses; so naturally, you want to be their worst nightmare. Do not let up. Knock them down, let them stand back up (or half-way up), and knock them down again and again and again.
Also, your readers will not be entertained if your character has it easy. You want them to feel emotions for your character! If they are too afraid to defend themselves against their high school bullies, then you draft them to the war. If your character is lazy, then you shove a commitment in their face that they cannot say no to. Be the evil god you always dreamed of being.
Kick-starter: Mildred is a homebody who lives with her parents. She fears having the responsibility to support her own life. What happens to Mildred?
2. Venture somewhere, anywhere!
Watch people, watch what they do and imagine your character in similar situations. What would they do? If this doesn’t spawn a scene, then at least you will know your character that much more.
Kick-starter: Attend a church service. How would your character react if they attended one too?
3. Conduct some research.
If your story’s setting is in another era or a faraway place you’ve only seen photos of, then conducting research on what life is like in that setting will definitely give you material to work with.
Kick-starter: What kind of prison system was in place in medieval England?
4. What does your character need?
Put it just out of reach. Or nowhere in sight at all. Or both! Then you will really feel like an evil god. Does anyone else remember that scene from "An American Trail" when Fievel and Papa cross paths and don’t even realize it, leaving everyone screaming at the television screen? Do that to your character, as much as your audience will hate you for it.
Kick-starter: Morton is deathly ill, but needs to live because he is his child’s only hope. But how?
5. Buy a book of writing prompts.
Work that imagination! Take a trip to Barnes & Noble and have at it with their selection of creative activity books and regular books. Reading will help with your block, too. Who knew?)
Then design your own prompts about your protagonist. Delve into who they are and what they would do in a variety of unique situations. You can also write about your protagonist in the book you buy.
Kick-starter: It took us a moment to stand up after the house stopped shaking. Most of our furniture and belongings had collapsed all around us. We stepped and crawled toward the window, and could not believe our eyes when we saw…
6. Take a step back.
You might be overthinking everything. Go take a shower or a nap, or have coffee with a friend. Get your mind off of your story and characters, and then come back to them with a fresh conscience.
7. Think about the thread and theme of your story.
What message do you want to convey? Reminding yourself of the answer will help you to refocus and guide your characters in the right direction. Cut out the fluffy parts that veer away from your goal. It gets too messy if there’s too much, and you won’t know what to do with it all.
8. How can the traits of your protagonist clash with the traits of your supporting characters?
Voila! You have conflict!
Kick-starter: Martin is ultra-organized and loves to keep his home spotless. His mother-in-law, who just moved in, is a hoarder who leaves a mess wherever she goes. How is Martin going to deal with it?
I hope this list has assisted you to some degree or inspired you to write more. You are going to write some amazing stories, so get going and happy writing!
