Another one of our members brought up writer's block, and this reminded me that I am currently knee length into writer's block on my story as well. It has nothing to do with not knowing what to write next, it's just that I can't seem to do it.

So, what are your tips and advice on how to dig ourselves out of this mess? What has worked for you?

I usually stop and go on to something else that I have inspiration for. Walking away helps me because later on I'll get an idea somewhere and pick the story back up. Brainstorming little notes for new chapters in a notepad helps too.

What I'm doing with my story is write chapter summaries. I write down the events in very little detail and I'm doing this for my stories on FF.N as well in hopes to finish them. If you map out the chapters before hand like I did on my topic, then you will already have all the ideas written down for each chapter and all you'll have to do is write it out in detail

Well, I have my story and it's sequel plotted out in it's entirety, chapters and all. However after writing, reading, and rereading my currently written chapters, and then having a beta reader go through it, and then editing it with her as well....I can't seem to get chapter 12 on paper or computer. You know?

If you have it all mapped out then how come you don't have chapter 12 written?

For some strange reason, I just can't write it out. There is like an actual block that comes to mind whenever I pull up that chapter on my wordpad. I find every reason not to write it. I procrastinate, finding other things to do...I just can't get the words out, and I'm not sure why. So, I go off and do other things...

Maybe I should step away from the project for a bit.

It is all in my notebook, mapped out, I just can't write the chapter itself.

Maybe you should talk about it to others here or on a website like fanfiction.net. Feedback helps motivate people sometimes. Another thing you could do is go over the same steps that inspired the fanfiction in the first place, like reading the manga, watching an anime, reading other fanfiction works. What inspired you to write the story in the first place? Retrace those steps and it might spark your motivation again^^

That's true. I guess I could go and watch the molly and nephlite arc a few times from the anime, so then I can get through the next arc of the story. I just finished a major arc, and now everything is at the falling point, and everything is supposed to be falling together. Also, I think just posting it when I'm done with the chapter will help me, because I love getting feedback from my readers. I get all giddy and happy when my readers start wondering about what's going to happen next.

Being in the mood to write is a big one for me. If I'm not feeling up to it no amount of digging is going to get me out of the slump I'm in, and it's something that I have been unable to force and wouldn't recommend to. At other times I just had to jump right into it and write the first thing that came to mind, which is usually how I write beginnings since they're the hardest part of a story for me. I can come up with a full ending and several scenes at the snap of a finger, but that beginning usually comes on a whim. Seems to me your problem is less to do with an actual block and more to do with being burned out.

I think this topic is really important, so i made it sticky so everyone can reach it and doesn't get lost.


Your ideas are really helpful, i think i'm gonna try those for my own stories

YEY! Glad we can be helpful^^

*Another thing I do is re-read the manga and watch the anime. *I read some of my favorite fanfictions that have helped inspire me to write in the first place. *I reread my own story(s) to get me back into the story I am creating and remember all the details(Sometimes I have a small detail in a chapter about something I had intended to elaborate later on but forgot about, so I write it down as possible ideas for future chapters^^) and I reread the reviews I've gotten to help inspire me as well c:

i do that! since i don't write daily i always have to re-read the entire thing to not make any mistake xD! i had a friend who, killed a character in one chapter and in another she was miraculously alive! after she told me that, i decided to read everything! =p

Oh geez, I normally encounter a writer's block with writing assignments for school as opposed to writer's block for my fanfiction. When it comes to schoolwork, I find what helps me best is simply to start typing and not stop. I sometimes set up a timer, perhaps five minutes, and force myself to start typing, without stopping to hit the delete button. Often after five minutes I've produced poop, but at least I then have something to work with.

Spoiler:

In order to get my fanfiction writing reeved up, I like to do several things.
1. Read my favorite fanfiction works.
2. Use detailed outlines.
3. Imagine what I would write in my head. I often do this in the car or when I am unable to sleep. It's less stressful, because you aren't committing words to paper, but I try to get into a similar mindset, so it feels as if I am writing (if that makes sense -.-).

Quote :

i do that! since i don't write daily i always have to re-read the entire thing to not make any mistake xD! i had a friend who, killed a character in one chapter and in another she was miraculously alive! after she told me that, i decided to read everything! =p

I've done this lol u.u

Quote :

3. Imagine what I would write in my head. I often do this in the car or when I am unable to sleep. It's less stressful, because you aren't committing words to paper, but I try to get into a similar mindset, so it feels as if I am writing (if that makes sense -.-).

I do this but I have to write it down soon because I have a horrible memory lol

So I found a system that is working for me. I take the scenes that are clear as day to me and just write them out in their own wordpad docs. Sure it isn't in order, but this way I can fill in the gaps with the other events/sequences that didn't have me as excited. Good way to get the juices flowing. It's working pretty well so far! So, there's an idea.

Personally when I hit writers block I start throwing out RP posts it helps me to write through my writers block and able to get back to what I was writing before.

i listen to music. it helps me. but sometimes, my writer's block can last for long, like this one i'm having. and it' happening for college's papers, fanfics...

Mi Mako Chan wrote:

i listen to music. it helps me. but sometimes, my writer's block can last for long, like this one i'm having. and it' happening for college's papers, fanfics...

I agree. Music is the #1 thing that helps get the creative juices flowing for me.

Since most of my fanfic ideas come from my dreams (i have plenty of weird dreams), sometimes i imagine the situation with my characters before i fell sleep, for some reason, when i do that, everything keeps fresh in my memory ^.^v

So, if i have another idea i try to imagine the situation once again in my head, and when i finally decide, i write it down and continue with the fic =)

I used to only listen to music when I first started writing but sometimes when you have severe blocks it's best to break the habit because it can keep you blocked. To break that I would go outside and just bask in the sun and take in nature and peace and quiet to clear my mind and then think about what it is I wanted to right. That or I'd be in the quiet of my home about to write which I found out helps a lot because listening to music, the type of music whether it be sad, wistful, upbeat, anger whichever feelings it would give off would effect what I was writing and that wasn't always good for me unless I knew what I was going to be writing

Another thing you guys could do if you're blocked is try writing about something you really really like but never wrote about before or use a prompt, something that is completely different from what you are currently writing or trying to write.

One of the most helpful tips I can offer is what someone else offered to me in terms of improving my detail and descriptions but also has helped me in times of writers block^^

Ask questions

What is the story about
Who is the story about
Why?
When does the story take place?
Where is the story taking place?
What happens to this character?
What do they look like?
What happens in this chapter?
Who does this chapter effect?
Why?
Is there an enemy?
Who is the enemy?
Do these people get along?
Why?
What is their purpose?
What do the surroundings look like?
What is the weather?
What are the characters thinking?
When do they do this?
Where fo they do that?
etc.

Asking questions while I'm writing helps as well. You can make up a whole bunch of questions for yourself, write down brief or detailed answers for them, come up with a rough draft and ideas and then you can go into the full depth of writing it all out^^

i am currently using prompts to write, and i'm still blocked. so i'll try that idea.