Don’t know what to write…

[ElijahRyne]

Writers block has hit me pretty bad recently…

I have been working on two chapters for multiple weeks. I just can’t figure out what to write… My current speed is about one - 3 sentences a day. Then I just stop writing and start editing and transmuting the content of the chapter, only to do so again the next day.
I just don’t know what to write. I mean I know what I want to happen in the chapter, I just don’t really know what to write to do so…

So then, what should I do?

I have already tried taking a short (1 week) break from writing, and an outline for the chapters in question.

 

[ArcadiaBlade]

You can't force creativity to come out of your butt. Just relax and be confident that you can write instead of not. You only need to have the patience to write what you want to do and basically just spend some time away from writing to ease up your thinking before an idea strucks.

Thats how most writers handle their writers block and sometimes others read novels or watch videos to get some inspiration. Just be calm and don't feel too bad about being unable to think what you want to write, instead, just think of things you want to gain inspiration from before getting your idea in your story.

 

[T.K._Paradox]

Recompose your self -and I have said this before but I'll say it again- RELAX. Don't worry about writers block, because if you do that will only make it worse, try clearing your head before you go back to your story, then look back at what you already got and try and see where you would like the story to go.

When you are relaxed your writing will improve and you'll catch errors before you post. I hope this helps.

 

[Puji-Maki]

Give yourself the privilege to write trash. Don't listen to criticism of your head, just write.

 

[ElijahRyne]

Give yourself the privilege to write trash. Don't listen to criticism of your head, just write.

That is the issue though, not even the trash is being written…

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Take a walk, take a shower, clean something, cook something. Let your mind wander while you do other things. I would recommend doing people if we weren't still battling a pandemic.

 

[Temple]

Do not go back and edit. I have that problem myself. My rule is that after a page is done (I write in MS word), I allow myself only one edit pass, then nothing more until the chapter is complete. Otherwise, I will just edit and edit again while procrastinating because I don't know what to write next. My other trick is to write parts of the chapter that I'm sure will happen. I normally don't do this because I'm panster through and through, but to fight off writer's block, I force myself to write something that's easy. When I use this trick, I usually write the chapter ending then fill the middle.

 

[Viator]

Writers block has hit me pretty bad recently…

I have been working on two chapters for multiple weeks. I just can’t figure out what to write… My current speed is about one - 3 sentences a day. Then I just stop writing and start editing and transmuting the content of the chapter, only to do so again the next day.
I just don’t know what to write. I mean I know what I want to happen in the chapter, I just don’t really know what to write to do so…

So then, what should I do?

I have already tried taking a short (1 week) break from writing, and an outline for the chapters in question.

A good excercise to try is to put your pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and write whatever comes to your mind as fast as you can without thinking about editing, or even making sense. Do this sort of free writing for about 5-10 minutes. Don't worry if it comes out a garbled mess. Sometimes it's quite fun to go back and see what you wrote. The important thing is don't stop once you start. Don't think about punctuation or any corrections. Just do it, and it may knock something loose and help you continue when you get back to your story.

 

[Ilikewaterkusa]

Writers block has hit me pretty bad recently…

I have been working on two chapters for multiple weeks. I just can’t figure out what to write… My current speed is about one - 3 sentences a day. Then I just stop writing and start editing and transmuting the content of the chapter, only to do so again the next day.
I just don’t know what to write. I mean I know what I want to happen in the chapter, I just don’t really know what to write to do so…

So then, what should I do?

I have already tried taking a short (1 week) break from writing, and an outline for the chapters in question.

I’m pretty sure you got writers block for writing too much in a day.
Video suggestion if this is the problem

also just let your scenario play out in an ai writing game to give you some ideas

 

[SakeVision]

Give yourself the privilege to write trash. Don't listen to criticism of your head, just write.

yeah, do that op

the head can't criticize you


that's up to the readers

 

[KiraMinoru]

Do not go back and edit. I have that problem myself. My rule is that after a page is done (I write in MS word), I allow myself only one edit pass, then nothing more until the chapter is complete. Otherwise, I will just edit and edit again while procrastinating because I don't know what to write next. My other trick is to write parts of the chapter that I'm sure will happen. I normally don't do this because I'm panster through and through, but to fight off writer's block, I force myself to write something that's easy. When I use this trick, I usually write the chapter ending then fill the middle.

Me: Into writing 6th volume of a story without editing once. I refuse to look back and properly edit anything at this point, not even once until I complete the series. Ignorance is bliss. It’s better to not know all the embarrassing mistakes that make you want to bury your head in the ground until the bitter end.

I’m a heretic. A condensed mass of chaos and pure unbridled destruction. I will bathe, bask in all the tortuous cringe in one fell swoop right at the very end, raise my head up to the heavens, and laugh like a madman who wishes the grim reaper comes and reapeths my pitiful soul.

 

[Jemini]

Ok. I can give you the single best piece of advice I have ever seen on writer's block.

Writer's block is not a condition, it's a symptom. In other words, if you have writer's block, there is ALWAYS something else causing it. And, in order to solve it, you have to find that underlying condition. And, like depression, these underlying conditions normally have something to do with how your mental health is balancing out. (although, it is 'usually' not as serious as depression.)

The basic trouble-shooting solutions I would give (the absolute most common causes of writer's block) would be to make sure you are getting enough sleep, make sure you are eating a healthy and balanced diet, and manage your stress. Getting plenty of exercise is also a good one. Once you have gone through those 4 things which are the most common causes of writer's block, the next string of common causes is a work environment that makes it difficult to concentrate. For that, see the comments above. Most of them are already addressing the work-place distractions pretty well.

 

[greyblob]

Writers block has hit me pretty bad recently…

I have been working on two chapters for multiple weeks. I just can’t figure out what to write… My current speed is about one - 3 sentences a day. Then I just stop writing and start editing and transmuting the content of the chapter, only to do so again the next day.
I just don’t know what to write. I mean I know what I want to happen in the chapter, I just don’t really know what to write to do so…

So then, what should I do?

I have already tried taking a short (1 week) break from writing, and an outline for the chapters in question.

fix your sleep schedule.

 

[Astrokitten]

Try writing something else? Or read something or watch a movie, do whatever usually gets your inspiration pumping. Maybe learn about the Paris sewer system, that certainly worked for victor hugo