https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah Getting unstuck en-us 2022-05-10 17:32:17 UTC 2022-05-16 21:57:52 UTC hello@padlet.com carlyscott https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178032364 Frenzy: set a timer for 5 minutes and write anything. Write something that has nothing to do with your project. It could be absolute nonsense. Write something silly, something sincere. Use a prompt if you wish. Sometimes just writing something gets the inspiration flowing. The clock helps to get you writing without your brain getting in the way. Don't think, just write! Have fun.]]> 2022-05-10 17:35:29 UTC https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178032364 carlyscott https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178048951 List your characters' attributes. Take a minute out of your plot and focus on the character(s) you're spending time with. What are their interests and hobbies? What do they despise? What is their trauma, their past? Who are they close to? What do all these pieces mean for them, and how does it inform their actions and decisions? Come out of the narrative for a minute and do a character analysis on whomever you're writing about.]]> 2022-05-10 17:45:40 UTC https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178048951 carlyscott https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178060857 Own the moment. Accept that you don't currently know where your story is going, and do so without judgement. Do you usually focus on how many words you were supposed to have written? Degrade yourself for your lack of direction? Moan about the situation? Fight it? Stop. None of that is going to get you back on track. You cannot force it, and these reactions (while normal!) will just keep your brain locked. You can't brute force your way out. So, calmly tell yourself, without judgement, that you're stuck. Accept it. Open your mind by quitting the fight and inspiration will follow – at its own pace.]]> 2022-05-10 17:53:03 UTC https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178060857 carlyscott https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178068326 Words. Seems simple, right? Isn't that what we are always focusing on? Yep. But I want you to stop trying to put meaning or direction to them. Think about words not so we can write, but just out of joy and appreciation. Aren't there so many great words out there? No sentences. Bullet points. Get silly. Get kooky. Get interesting. List your favourite words, the zanier the better. Don't focus on sentences or structure. Just put as many wonderful words on the page as you can. Maybe when you come back to them (or even right then!), something will kick your inspiration into action.]]> 2022-05-10 17:57:44 UTC https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178068326 carlyscott https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178077028 Cause and EFFECT. Sometimes, we are stuck because where we have written ourselves to, or where we are headed, isn't truly organic. Or a character's actions and reactions aren't true to themselves. They aren't linked by cause and effect. Is there something that needs tweaking? Maybe a future plot point that needs restructuring? Consider what your story has already covered, and where it is going next. Consider character action and reaction. Dialogue. Can you make a linear connection between cause and effect? If not, that could be the fork throwing you way off the path.]]> 2022-05-10 18:03:34 UTC https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178077028 carlyscott https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178107048 I know it sounds silly, but as they always say, you can't give what you don't have. Restore yourself in different ways. For me, it's yoga, reading, maybe some time outside with family. Baseball! Whatever it is, get to it. Put some energy and love back in. Even if it takes a week or a month, when you're feeling your YOUNESS restored, try again. Whether you return to the computer or the page, I would be willing to bet something great is ready for you.]]> 2022-05-10 18:22:08 UTC https://padlet.com/carlyscott/mcm1atocpxkjjbah/wish/2178107048