Writing Forum

Hi guys. I'd like to chime in. I'm a relatively experienced writer, with a few items published. The best advice, rather, the best medicine, for creative ailments is to just simply write...as has been mentioned. Forced writing has been a useful tool for me, occasionally. I'll set a timer and just blast out whatever I can, on whatever project I'm on, until the timer stops. It has helped with productivity when I've needed it. Additionally, keeping up the reading as much as possible is solid fuel for ideas.

I outline as well as "pants" most of my work. I'll outline at a high level where I want a story to go, but not dig deep into the specifics. This allows me to always keep a destination (whether act/scene/pinch based or not) in mind, but still giving my character relative freedom in a scene. By having an ending or midpoint relatively firm, it shores up the areas that pantsing typically falls short on (mids and endings), but is not as constraining as a full outline. This has worked very well for me.

Matt, I understand completely about getting stuck on a concept. It happens. To help me with that, I have an "idea" book that I carry around and put in all my cool things I think of or see around me. Sometimes this can fuel a new concept...perhaps you can do something similar? It doesn't have to be fancy or anything, just a little "dictionary of neat things" all your own.

Respectfully yours,
Sir Various



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