29 August, 2012

Writer's Block

So I reached a point in my novel where I knew I had to go from point A to point B. And I had no idea how to segue. I had opened my WiP day after day—and nothing happened. I fiddled with the wording in some of the previous pages, tightening stuff up here, expounding on stuff there. But I still had a wall that was keeping me from continuing on with it.

OH NO! I had Writer's Block! That dreaded malady that puts terror in just about any writer. I went to multiple sites that spoke on how to get past the block. I tried dozens of tips and tricks—to no avail. I still had a mental block that was keeping me from moving forward on my novel.

So I took it on the road with me when I went to work. Every day as I drove down the highways I'd let my mind wander a bit and hope that some spark would jump me over that block. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into a month. I was starting to think I might have to shelf this piece, and go fiddle with something else. Speaking of fiddling, my Bostrom Air Ride Seat in the truck wasn't quite right. So I reached down to fiddle with the switch to adjust the height to where I needed it. Great. It got stuck in the full up position and—*BAM* I hit a seam in the road from one county to the next and jammed my head into the ceiling of the cab.

The words began to flow. No, not profanities—new words. For my novel! New ideas! A smooth transition from where I was, to where I wanted to go! YES! I was past the block!

So the next time you have a bad case of writer's block, try this: Get in a 80,000 lb concrete truck, run it up to 65mph, and jack your seat all the way up so when you hit a bump you slam your head into the ceiling! Hey, if it worked for me, it just might work for you! Maybe...

0.o