tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post6435606046665445506..comments2024-03-24T07:16:56.052-05:00Comments on PlottingPrincesses: @sloanebcollins Writer's Block is an Evil Thing #amwriting #PlottingPrincesses #MFRWorg #writinglife #SullivansofMontanaPlotting Princesseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04498235738737791614noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-75231306270895303142016-05-18T08:38:23.432-05:002016-05-18T08:38:23.432-05:00I walk away for a bit. Sometimes it's a long b...I walk away for a bit. Sometimes it's a long bit, lol! I focus on other things for a while, then I go back and read and reread. I get into the characters heads and try to find what will make them stronger, what will cause them anxiety? What will bring out the fire-the passion? What can the anti=hero do to cause obstacles? How would I react in certain circumstances? How would I want to react (because chance are the way I would react would not be the way I would want to, LOL)?<br />Sometimes reading someone else's work will also inspire me. Not scene stealing or copying, but getting inspired by their style of writing and the whole genre I am writing.<br />Good luck!<br />Cathy McElhaneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15617877660792352261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-50052447101407023852016-05-18T07:55:23.325-05:002016-05-18T07:55:23.325-05:00Thanks for sharing this, Sloan. I think every writ...Thanks for sharing this, Sloan. I think every writer has books that stop them cold. Or scenes that don't work. Or middles that loose steam. I know I do!<br /><br />The one thing that I have found most productive lately is to write out—longhand—what is the EMOTIONAL TRUTH of this scene? Often times I don't know when I start out! I just think, they need to flirt and dance. But what I really need to show is growing intimacy and attraction, which is the emotional core behind the action. I think readers read romance for the emotion and personal connection to the characters, so I find that most often, that's where I've gone wrong.<br /><br />And then I do all the other things y'all have mentioned. :) <br /><br />But I don't let myself stop until I know where I'm going. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03185937228176828094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-82777677617526009022016-05-18T06:33:52.536-05:002016-05-18T06:33:52.536-05:00This is why I plot heavily. If I did pantsing, I w...This is why I plot heavily. If I did pantsing, I would be so stuck so many times. Also, I've learned that never get away from the story for too long. If I take a week off or even a couple of days off, then it's hard to get back into the story. Even if I only write five hundred words a day, I'm thinking about the next scene. Kat Baldwin was so right. When I get stuck, it's usually because I went wrong somewhere and have to go back. I'm about to celebrate over thirty books and six box sets...and I can tell you which books were written with blood dripping on the keyboard. Sylviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08739086544916478044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-15682640023085544012016-05-17T18:52:22.817-05:002016-05-17T18:52:22.817-05:00Great post Sloane! I got totally stuck on my last ...Great post Sloane! I got totally stuck on my last book, which luckily I managed to finish. My thing is if I'm stressed over anything, even things that I don't particular think are stressful, my creative juices completely dry up. I find taking a break for awhile helps. Or getting rid of the stress. ha! Like that happens. Sometimes thinking of a scene while doing something else, like cleaning house, will make the scene happen and then I can write. Good luck with breaking through the block b/c your story sounds like something I want to read! :)Karilyn Bentleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04359102189839118744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-76739884432653625532016-05-17T13:36:32.881-05:002016-05-17T13:36:32.881-05:00Liese, good point. I'll look back at my Micha...Liese, good point. I'll look back at my Michael Hague notes - hopefully I can track it down!Sloane B. Collinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-58889852182481754762016-05-17T11:07:16.013-05:002016-05-17T11:07:16.013-05:00Great post, Sloane!
Anyone who hasn't been the...Great post, Sloane!<br />Anyone who hasn't been there is just blessed!<br /><br />I've found myself stuck about halfway through. Recently, I attended a Michael Hauge workshop, and he noted that when you get stuck about the middle, it's often because there wasn't a "change in plans" about 10% through the book. The original inciting incident isn't enough to sustain a full plot. Next time I get stuck, I'm going to take a look at that 10% mark and see if I've not added a twist that pushes the characters in another direction.<br /><br />LieseLiesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02966381021139898743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-61886077519688870832016-05-17T10:34:36.789-05:002016-05-17T10:34:36.789-05:00Thanks for sharing your struggles Sloan! It gives ...Thanks for sharing your struggles Sloan! It gives all of us hope. Great post.<br />When I'm stuck I analyze where I went wrong. Because the most common reason I get stuck is because I went wrong somewhere. I use scene & sequel to analyse the scene. That usually sets me on the right path. <br /><br />This was so helpful, I will tweet.<br />Hugs<br />Kat<br />Kathleen Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09568097102600913219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-7379463279608342172016-05-17T10:31:39.048-05:002016-05-17T10:31:39.048-05:00I'll have to try all those techniques! Thanks...I'll have to try all those techniques! Thanks, Ladies!Sloane B. Collinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-86664690595672965172016-05-17T10:29:07.773-05:002016-05-17T10:29:07.773-05:00writing a scene out of order is a great idea Vicki...writing a scene out of order is a great idea Vicki and Phyllis. When I'm stuck, sometimes I just sleep on it (literally). I lie down and close my eyes, and sometimes the characters just start talking. And once I have dialogue, I can usually make a scene.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006525007663830711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-91186095794850334352016-05-17T10:25:21.709-05:002016-05-17T10:25:21.709-05:00Glowing....lol! How about flowing...just too funny...Glowing....lol! How about flowing...just too funny.Phyllishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02842013659811431774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-62962412968251656662016-05-17T10:23:49.654-05:002016-05-17T10:23:49.654-05:00I'm like Vicki...just write a scene and figure...I'm like Vicki...just write a scene and figure out later where it should fit in...if it does, but you've got the juices glowing again. Phyllishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02842013659811431774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6028147191445531358.post-5222846363266479672016-05-17T10:11:18.435-05:002016-05-17T10:11:18.435-05:00Hi, Sloan! I had a problem and sometimes still do ...Hi, Sloan! I had a problem and sometimes still do with this current book. So I had in mind a scene I wanted and wrote it then found the right place for it in the manuscript. So much better. I even did a couple of more. And should do more. This is the first time this has happened to me. Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.com