Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#1
I had been in a rut of writer's block for months with one of the stories I write. It was so conflicting with me, too, because it was one that was being received so well. That said, something was missing and it was making me stress.
It didn't help that it was a genre I have never written before (Scifi/Cyberpunk).
After talking to some writing buddies, I sat down and made myself plan the rest of the book. After I did this, I started writing for it again and it feels good. It's fun to write outside my comfort zone.
That said, it is nowhere near perfect, and those early chapters will still make me cringe because I don't like how I set up the story, but that can be fixed with editing later on :)
What do you guys do to get out of ruts (i.e. Writers Block)? And how good does it make you feel when you do?
It didn't help that it was a genre I have never written before (Scifi/Cyberpunk).
After talking to some writing buddies, I sat down and made myself plan the rest of the book. After I did this, I started writing for it again and it feels good. It's fun to write outside my comfort zone.
That said, it is nowhere near perfect, and those early chapters will still make me cringe because I don't like how I set up the story, but that can be fixed with editing later on :)
What do you guys do to get out of ruts (i.e. Writers Block)? And how good does it make you feel when you do?
Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#2
For me, I try writing other novels with similar genres to get some inspiration. It also helps me improve my writing.
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Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#3Jaxxson Wrote: For me, I try writing other novels with similar genres to get some inspiration. It also helps me improve my writing.
This is a nice approach!
Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#4
I just keep on writing until it gets good again. One thing I've noticed is that you only ever feel like your writing is bad when you don't know where it's going, but as soon as you know where it's going you realize how good it is.
Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#5Dubs Wrote: I just keep on writing until it gets good again. One thing I've noticed is that you only ever feel like your writing is bad when you don't know where it's going, but as soon as you know where it's going you realize how good it is.
I love that mentality. It's how I felt once I got past that bump in the road with my story.
Happy writing :)
Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#6
I don't get out of ruts since I don't do anything, so I don't know how it feels.

Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#7
Personally, when I fall into a rut, I really fall into a rut. Things that help me get out of it?
- Reading other stories.
- Watching movies.
- Pursuing new ideas. (Whether it be writing, drawing, or just imagining.) Basically just some sort of creative outlet.
- Rereading my own story. (This is also good because you refresh everything.)
Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#8
Mostly what I do is I read comics and books or watch movies or TV series in the same genre. I also listen to a ton of different types of music, so eventually I'm bound to hit on something that resonates with me.
One thing I do that I've mentioned on the forums before, is I'll watch a scene from a movie and ask myself, "How would I write this scene?"
How would I describe the character's actions/ feelings/ motivations in this scene?
How would I capture the ambiance?
What words would I use to describe what's going on?
Then I'll sit down and try and write the scene out, and see if it carries the same impact.
If it does, I'm good.
If it doesn't, what do I need to change so that it does?
One thing I do that I've mentioned on the forums before, is I'll watch a scene from a movie and ask myself, "How would I write this scene?"
How would I describe the character's actions/ feelings/ motivations in this scene?
How would I capture the ambiance?
What words would I use to describe what's going on?
Then I'll sit down and try and write the scene out, and see if it carries the same impact.
If it does, I'm good.
If it doesn't, what do I need to change so that it does?
Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#9
Sometimes when I am experiencing writers block and can't move forward with my writing but I want to work on the same piece, I try writing a different chapter/scene I have the motivation to write. For example, if I am stuck on finishing chapter two, but I know that somewhere down the line I want my characters to fight an enemy AND I have a pretty clear vision on how that is going to happen, then I will just skip and write it. Eventually, the creative juices start flowing again and I feel more motivated to join my current chapter with what I've just written.
Re: The feeling of getting out of a rut...
#10Briizy Wrote: What do you guys do to get out of ruts (i.e. Writers Block)? And how good does it make you feel when you do?
For me, and I assume it's like this with most people, but they don't know it, writing block is about the critical voice inside our heads. Writing fiction is a creative endeavor, not a critical process endeavor. When we turn it into a critical thinking process, it becomes scary, or boring, so we tend to stay away.
What I do is convince myself that I don't care about the story. I just want to have some fun. And so I do.