Page 5 - The Dreadful Writers Block

Freewriting for Fun

I know what you are thinking, "I have writer's block; how do you expect me to
write?" It is easy, write about your day in a journal, write about your family, write
about your thoughts no matter how crazy they are, etc. The key is to just write.

Some of the best books started with freewriting. Freewriting is simple and idea.
You have this incredible story locked away inside you. Put it on paper even if it
does not make sense.

What sets a great author apart from other authors is they enjoy it. It is not about
fame, money, or just seeing their name on a book. It is about doing what they
love. This is one of the keys to overcoming writer's block.

Relax and Enjoy the Ride

Do not try to force yourself to write. When you write because you must, it does
not seem as right. Going back to the writing club, a teacher said they liked
another story or article they write. The response, I will never forget, "I wrote it
last night." The teacher loved it so much because of the paper; it was because
the student had a passion for writing and wrote for fun. They were relaxed and
enjoying what they love to do. That is huge and shows that this student will have
a fantastic writing career.

Create a Story Road Map

When you take a vacation, do you get in the car and start driving without knowing
where you are heading? If you do, I want your life of freedom. However, most of
us do not. We plan it out. You need to know where you will be staying, what you
will eat, how much it will cost, etc. There is a lot of planning. It helps keep you
on track for what you plan to do for a fun and successful vacation.

Just like taking a trip, your story needs the same road map. I mentioned earlier
how I start with a table of contents. This is the beginning of my road map. I also
use a program called xmind. This program on my computer allows me to map
out or do a mind mapping of my book or article.

The key is to have a plan. A story road map will help you stay focus on the story
and the direction you are headed. However, it is not something that cannot be
changed. It may change as the story progresses. Invite the change and
transform your road map as you go.