Ten Ways To Cope With Writer’s Block — Kellyn Roth Blog Tour!

Hello, hello!

Guess what? I’m a part of Kellyn Roth’s blog tour for The Dressmaker’s Secret and Ivy Introspective!

First, however, a quick tip of advice for you. If you want your summer to be absolutely amazing… GO TO A ZOO AND WILDLIFE SUMMER CAMP! (That’s the reason I haven’t posted lately… been gone and didn’t get a scheduled post up in time). I had an absolute blast, made some amazing friends, and learned a ton! Go. Just go to one. You will never regret it!

Anyways. On to the blog tour.

Kellyn Roth was born and raised in the country outside a small town in North-Eastern Oregon. Ever since she could talk, she’s had a fascination with words, always coming up with songs, poems, and stories. Now a homeschooled highschooler, she spends her spare time penning historical novels, several of which have been published. Website · Blog · Newsletter · Facebook · Amazon · Goodreads

Before a guest post by Kellyn, I thought you’d all like to meet one of her characters that I absolutely fell in love with when I was beta reading Ivy Introspective. I’ve asked her a couple questions for an interview. I introduce you to… *drumroll*… Ivy!

• What is your favorite spot in the world?

I don’t really think I have one.

Comment from the author: Well, you really like that bench at McCale House, don’t you? Where you go and visit with Violet sometimes?

Oh. Well, that’s a nice place. But I don’t know if it’s my favorite place. I think the best place is where Mummy and Alice and Nettie are.

• What do you like to do most?

Just think. Sometimes people won’t leave me alone and let me think, but that’s my favorite thing to do. I also like listening to stories about princesses and from the Bible.

 

And then … there’s something else I like to do, probably even more than thinking, but I’m not able to say what it is ’cause Kellyn says it’s a … spoiler, whatever that means.

• Who is your hero?

My hero is a handsome prince on a chestnut horse.

Comment from the author: I think she means someone who’s actually real.

He’s real! I know he is. I’ll meet him someday. But … I suppose if I had to pick a “real-life” person, I’d pick Alice.

• Why?

Alice is strong and smart and talented … and she’s in control. Everything’s safe as long as Alice knows what’s happening.

• How do you feel about horses?

*shivers*

 

Comment from the author: I think you need to make an actual response.

 

I don’t like them.

 

Comment from the author: perhaps more details?

 

All right. I don’t like them one bit.

 

Comment from the author: *facepalm*

And now, I think you’ll all be interested to know how a published author combats Writer’s block.

Ten Ways to Cope With Writer’s Block

You’ve all probably heard of writer’s block. If you’re a writer, you’ve probably experienced it. (If you haven’t, please contact me. I’ve been looking for a new brain to experiment on …) But very few know how to overcome it.

Well … neither do I. Not completely. Writer’s block – a loss of inspiration in writers – is very hard to cure. However, I do know of a couple things (ten, actually … so, um, more than a couple) that have helped me overcome writer’s block in the past and continue to help me today.

1. Just write! This is the #1 way of getting rid of writer’s block. If you’re writing, you don’t have writer’s block, right (lots of writes in this sentence …)? So, just write. But … you don’t necessarily have to write on your current work-in-progress. Write poetry. Freewrite. Just ramble. But make those fingers keep moving on that keyboard. And don’t stop. Sometimes writing a ridiculously long, rambly email to my friends can help me! Just write.
2. Take a break. Sometimes writer’s block comes directly from a condition called ‘over writing.’ You’ve been writing for all day (or all month … or all year …), and your brain simply won’t do it anymore. So do something else for a while. Take a walk. Eat some food. Get away from your computer, though, whatever you do. (Yes, checking your Facebook page counts. Even on your phone. No electronics.)
3. Read. Preferably a book like the book you’re trying to write or about something you’re trying to write about. Reading is the #1 source of inspiration for most writers. And if you’re a writer and not a readers … there’s something wrong. Good writers are good readers.
4. Outline the next couple scenes thoroughly. Maybe you’re a pantser. Guess what? I don’t care! Outline anyway. If you’re a plotter and you already have a detailed outline, rewrite the outline of the next couple scenes in a different way. This really does help.
5. Brainstorm with some friends. Whether on or offline, this always helps me passion for writing be rekindled. Perhaps find an online writing group or simply get to know some other writers in your area. Social media, chatrooms, and all those other lovely internet thingys that you may or may not find addicting can help you now. Just don’t get too obsessed, mmkay?
6. Reread what you’ve already written. This one comes with a warning: if you feel like it’s only gonna depress you, don’t do it. But if you actually enjoy reading your first drafts (like me, crazy person that I am), give it a try. Maybe you’ll remember what your original direction for the story was.
7. Read about writer’s block. Like you are right now. *shrugs* Really, though, over the internet there are some pretty good articles about how to overcome this beastie. A quick Google search might help you.
8. Write about writer’s block. I don’t know why this helps, but it does. If you have a blog, do this there. Maybe *coughs* turn it into a post about how to cope with writer’s block. *shrugs* You could also just do a freewrite on your thoughts about writer’s block, etc.
9. Change it up. Introduce a new character, a new plotline, or a new writing style. Maybe even try a different POV (point of view). You’d be surprised how much a change can help!
10. Pray. If all else fails, this may be your only option. Even if you’re not a Christian. Like I said, writer’s block is baaaad …

And those, my friends, are ten ways to cope with writer’s block. I started out wanting to do five, but, um … I thought of more. Because there are many ways to conquer this monster. And then I came up with ten, and, um … the last one was … random.

Thanks for letting me post this on your blog, Jaylee, and thanks to you (whoever you might be) for reading it. 🙂