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When I spoke with a client the other day, she said she was stuck and unable to write. She told me she didn’t think she was good enough to write the story. She was mired in the bog of Writer’s Doubt.
Writer’s doubt strikes every writer sooner or later. Some writers run into it in the same place in every book.
I have a critique partner who calls me in a panic with every book she writes (and she’s written a lot of them). I always ask her if she’s in chapter six. She always is. When I remind her that writer’s doubt strikes her in chapter six in every book, she’s able to continue and write a wonderful book. I know she’ll call when she gets to chapter six of the next book.
Maybe you breeze through some books, but you’re trying to write a complex plot that has you stuck. Maybe you’re working on a series and have to keep the thread of your fifth book in your mind while you are writing your third book. Maybe you’re working on a continuity series with a plot you didn’t develop and characters you didn’t create.
When writer’s doubt strikes, what can you do?
- Study craft
- If a particular problem haunts you, see what techniques other writers recommend
- Try a different method
- If you are a plotter, try flying by the seat of your pants
- If you write in order, try writing some scenes from later on
- Try writing at a different time of day
- Try writing in long hand
- Try dictating your next scene(s)
- Find a critique group or critique partner
- Have someone you trust look over your work
- Enter a contest
- Get feedback from a contest judge
- WRITE!!!!
- Nothing improves your writing more than writing
What is your favorite method for dealing with Writer’s Doubt?
Write on,
Lynn
5 Comments to 'Are You A Victim Of Writer’s Doubt?'
June 12, 2010
Aloha Lynn,
I have you to thank for keeping me motivated and inspired.
All my tips for writing I got from you. Hopping ahead and then filling in the blanks is a great tip!
Thanks for being there to keep me writing on!
Many blessings,
Carrie
June 13, 2010
Great advice!!! Can I be so bold as to add one to your list? Brainstorming with trusted friends is something I use often to get me unstuck. Talking about the plot, characters or story (or all three) usually gets me unstuck. Sometimes it’s not what they say (but often is!), but in trying to make the story clear to them, makes it clear to me. When I have to say it out loud, sometimes what has me stuck becomes very obvious. The places I’ve gone wrong, if I have, or what I’m missing.
June 13, 2010
Darla, of course your can add to any tip you see here. In fact, I hope you (and everyone else) will.
Brainstorming is a wonderful tool for blogs as well as writing.
I think some (most?) of us brainstorm the entire book with critique or mastermind partners. However, we forget that we can also brainstorm during the writing process as well. Thanks for the reminder!
June 13, 2010
Yes writers block strikes us all, now I do not write books, but sometimes writing a series of reports I get stuck your “Try dictating your next scene(s)” is so true, I use Dragon Naturally Speaking software so I can dictate rather than type and I find the words flow in a different way. I go back and edit parts out but all and all it works well, sometime I ramble a bit too much but that is what cut and paste is all about right?
June 17, 2010
Hi Dale,
No matter what sort of writing you do, you can stall out any time.
I’m glad to hear your report about Dragon. I’ve tried it, but can type faster than it can transcribe. I’ve been thinking about giving the new version a try.
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