CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

I have writers block. Stuck. Stuck... like, um... glue? Or, more like a squirrel stuck to a matchbox covered in glue.

I'm writing a story- its like, a series of letters from people to other people, and it turns out to be plot. Lolz. But yeah. This one girl writes letters to herself from her "guilt conscience" and stuff, and her parents find these letters and send her to this renound shrink.

And I'm stuck from there.

Any help?

Try writing notes about it. Like work out the character's traits/abilities/personality/lifestyle/favorite flavor or ice cream/whatever, or the culture or setting of the story. I've been stuck for a little while, so I've been expanding the world and history of the story I'm writing. I'm glad I did, because I made it much more detailed and interesting, smoothed out future plot points, and got a whole new character out of the deal!

Edit: SirThinksTooMuch has a lot of good suggestions (I think). I just want to add that plot summeries are just to organise your thoughts on a story. You don't have to follow it point for point. If you believe that an event can be played differently than in your notes, go for it.

Try going for long walks. Note: I don't mean jogging, excercise, walks in the mall, because all those things can give too many distractions. I mean quiet walks along not too busy roads, preferably close to something to do with nature. Try to focus on your writing, where you want it to go, where you want it to start, what the characters are, what nuances they have, etc. Walking can be a very relaxing and produces chemicals in the brain that work against depression and anxiety, which can be a factor in the writers block. Not to mention its healthy. Get walkin'! If you've had any significant ideas after such a long walk, write them down when you get home, or you'll forget it. If possible, have a notebook with you and write your thoughts in it. And leave your iPod (if any) at home, since that's another distraction.

Reading stories in the genre of what you want to write can also help, especially darn good ones.

A more unorthodox approach is writing a fictional yet detailed review for your unwritten story. Essentially a very abstract form of making notes, by writing a long favourable review you can basically summerize the "look and feel" you want to achieve for a story, as well as your thematic goals (if any). It could also get your creative juices flowing in the right direction.
Edit: And you don't have to give it ratiings, because that would be silly. Reviews are not ratings.

Wow, thanks guys. I'll definetly try the walking thing. But I live in town, so... i could try walking around the block, or down some of the bear infested trails by my house... lolz.

What I'm really also stuck on is the fact that the notes... are sort of diminishing. Like, for the first part of my book, the main character and her best friend HAVE to write notes to eachother in order to communicate because her best friend has strep throat for a couple weeks, but her friend goes back to school, so why write notes when they can talk? So, my notes are becomming between the girl and... the girl. Yeah. And I still don't really have a plot. \

But I'll try the walk thing. Thanks!

does your character have a problem, does that need resolution?
you can always introduce a new problem a new challenge and spin the plot a little towards resolution, conflict brings plot and interest

She doesnt really have a problem... shes just going to this really expensive therapist because her parents thinks shes nuts.

I've introducde a new character, who's sorta her pen pal. Maybe something can happen with her pen pal?

yeah! the pen pal might ask for help, she might not even expressily state the problem at first and slowly reveals she is in trouble,
as the main character figures it out she can write letters to someone she trusts, whether its a teacher/mentor, someone in authority, a close friend etc.
giving your character some issue, some challenge some obstacle to overcome will generate more sympathy/empathy for your character as the reader will become concerned for their cause and end up chearing them on as they solve their problem/or someone else's problem
it could be mysterious, relationships, money, school, anything you yourself have experienced and felt was a difficult thing to overcome for example
there are so many different ways you can take this that it can be overwhelming and leave you with out direction
pick some cause that you yourself would want to fight for/work for or some goal you would find admireable

whew I know I talk too much but I hope something in there sparks your imagination and you can make your characters come alive!

Lolz, well you may talk a lot, but thats definitly a true literary standpoint of an artist or writer! And, yes, this really does help! Thanks!

your welcome! glad to be of help

If you haven't choose a direction...and your pen pal happens to be out of the country...say Iran or another Middle Eastern country...you can pull a "Behind The Son" approach in which the pen pal has converted to christianity due to the main characters letters and influences of other forces on the pen pal's end of the line. This will provide a crazy twist because in some Middle Eastern countries their are strict laws stateing that your religion must line up with that of your families, otherwise you can be sentenced to incarseration and even in some cases death. You could have a plot struggle where the Pen Pal needs a ticket for an airflight to America in an effort to escape from the government but does not have the money neccesary for such an action, you could even make things more interesting and have your Main character struggle to get the money, continually blabing on to her parents about her friend in trouble...and her parent thus think shes insane and tell the councelor...and....yeah....sorry, got a little carried away their O_O;

it sound like you've got a story there allpayed, maybe you should start writing it!!

Lolz. Thats a really good idea. I think I'll keep that in mind, definetly. But my book itself is really... um, teenageristic. Like, you know, boys and shoes and stuff. Thats kinda what the girl is like... BUT I'm starting another book with letters and notes and stuff, and I love that idea to pieces. It'll definetly be a challenge to write on a more serious note.

Yeah, I took the walk. I came up with a sorta idea too. I sat down in the middle of the street and thought about it. Then a car came, so I had to get up. So, then I went to the park and started swinging and thinking about it. But I was interupted because my sister said I was panting really loudly while swinging, so my train of thought was stalled. maybe i'll sit in a dark closet.

xblack_x_rosesx wrote:I have writers block. Stuck. Stuck... like, um... glue? Or, more like a squirrel stuck to a matchbox covered in glue.

I'm writing a story- its like, a series of letters from people to other people, and it turns out to be plot. Lolz. But yeah. This one girl writes letters to herself from her "guilt conscience" and stuff, and her parents find these letters and send her to this renound shrink.

And I'm stuck from there.

Any help?

Try using your own life experience and putting it into the characters, into the plot.