This week we’re talking about the dreaded five letter word:
STUCK.
There’s all kinds of stuck in writing. Yes, you read that right. There’s more than one way to be stuck, which means there’s more than one way to get unstuck!
Stuck in a Scene: commonly found in first drafts. This kind of sludge holds fast no matter which direction you try to go. Move left, you’re pulled right back where you were. Move right, you didn’t actually move, you just assumed you did.
Solution: in my experience, use the brackets. This is most helpful when applied to first drafts. If you know what point B looks like or where it is, use a set of brackets, like this [] to mark your place in point A and skip right to point B. Your brain will fill in the gap later on.
Stuck on a Name: commonly found in first drafts, but can appear at any time in the creative process. You try out one that starts with N only to decide it’s a no-go. You switch to a vowel, but that only makes you scowl.
Solution: IMO, give yourself a set amount of time to peruse the baby name book. Note—set a timer or risk becoming lost in research land. If you pick a name that doesn’t seem to capture the soul of your character, proceed writing and once inspiration strikes, perform a 'find and replace all' action. And if you really can't find the perfect name, it's okay, the vast majority of readers will never catch the nuanced meaning of a name that plays into the theme or supports their personality.
Stuck on a Blank Page: has numerous connotations. See: brick wall, empty well, plot hole, and burnout. Commonly found in first drafts, but can occur during revisions.
Solution: the origins of this are as varied as the solutions. What I’ve dealt with is stuck due to depression and stuck due to plot hole. The plot hole was solved by a beta reader and editing. The depression was solved by a healthcare provider and a lot of self care and self forgiveness. Possibly the most difficult writing stucks, please know you’re not alone.
Stuck on a Finished Manuscript: commonly found after first revisions, but will frustratingly pop up at any point following The End. When you finish writing a book you’re filled with euphoria and want to share it with the world! DANGER: sending out your manuscript before it’s ready.
Solution: take a breath. It’s a huge accomplishment to complete a novel, novella, or short story. Congratulations! If this is revision number one take a week or two, or more, away from your book. Come back, reread it. Fix the typos and plot holes you find. If this is revision number two: find some critique partners, beta readers, mentor, or freelance editor to read it and provide honest feedback before you take the next step to send it into the world. If this is revision number (x+2) and it’s gone through some great editing, proofreading, and you’re pleased with it, the book is ready for the next step in its self-publish or traditional journey!
I know I didn’t list them all. What are some writing stucks you’ve found?
