We've all been there - the dreaded writing slump!
No matter how long you've stared at the blank screen, absolutely NOTHING is happening. It's frustrating and scary, and you begin to question if you've really got what it takes to be a writer.
Well, here's some words of advice on how you can navigate your writing rut, from the creative genius himself - Stephen King!
1. THERE IS NEVER A PERFECT MOMENT TO START
While you're busy over thinking, over planning and worrying about the what-if. Somebody else is out there DOING.
Start now, right now! (Well, maybe after reading this post)
2. YOU DON'T WAIT FOR INSPIRATION
Start small, do a short writing exercise to get your creative juices flowing. Listen to some music that might inspire a scene you're thinking of writing.
DON'T wait on that oscar-winning idea! Work at the writing every day, the idea WILL come to you.
3. NOTHING TO WRITE ABOUT IF YOU DON'T READ
Writers experience things, they learn things, the world around us is always showing us something. This is available to us in so many ways via TV shows and books - but if you're not reading - then you're not learning the skills of a writer; description, narrative, characterisation etc. Enjoy the learning process!
4. GET PAST THE FEAR
Procrastination is going to rear it's ugly head - but prepare and embrace the uncertainty.
Whatever you're writing - a novel or script or short story- your first draft is JUST getting the words down. DON'T edit as you're going - the process will be never ending. Write it all down and once it's finished - onto the second draft and edit - and so on... but just START!
5. MAKE YOUR AUDIENCE PAY ATTENTION
If you haven't read any Stephen King books (seriously?!) than you're missing out on some amazing opening lines and first pages. You want to start with a bang - something that immediately draws the audience into your world.
One of my favourite openings is from King's novel cell which starts with a man walking down the road... the opening doesn't have to be action packed but what happens needs to set the tone for your story.
6. NOBODY IS AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS
Like King says, what's going to push you through the tough days when your inspiration isn't coming through?
HARD WORK! You're going to write because that's what you love, that's what you do. Inspiration is fleeting, it's the seed that starts it all. But hard work is what finishes the chapters and keeps you writing those scenes.
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