Over thinking or writers block?

[Perpetual Man]

One of the ways I work is to have a vague idea of what is coming, with more concrete ideas closer to where I am.

For example, my current WiP is the first part of a trilogy, and I know basically what happens in the entire story, I know how it ends and I know the vague journey of how I need to get there.

Book 1 is slightly more fleshed out - I know how it ends, and have a rough plan of the path, while I know definitely what happens in the three chapters I am working through.

However, one of the ways I work is to think ahead, as I am walking, as I am resting, just planning the next few pages so when I sit down I know what to write.

However having had a fairly decent stint of writing, work has got on top of me a bit, and there is this 'Christmas' thing that needs to be addressed, so the writing has flowed to a stop.

But my brain hasn't. I'm still going over the next few pages, but because I haven't written them, I keep going back over them again, and again. It's driving me crazy, and I just don't have the time to type them... worse when I did have the time to sit down for 30 minutes, I kept putting it off because I've run them through my head so many times I can't bring myself to actually tell the story again!

Anyone else had the same problem? And I'll probably able to do it, but it's going to take a lot of concentration, discipline and will power!

Oh and time.

Any other ideas to help make it easier.

Or am I just mad?

 

[thaddeus6th]

You're mad, but I feel this is unrelated to the central thrust of your post

You're overthinking it. Try to write in a single sentence what the scene or next few pages is meant to convey. If necessary, add a small number of bullet points of important stuff to include.

And then, write it.

Use Occam's Razor to cut through all the fluff.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Would very much recommend "Save the cat" - it's a really good and easy to read writing book on how to set up structure and conflict. While intended for screenwriting, there's plenty of useful information in there for structuring a novel.

 

[SciFrac]

Do you have a mobile device you can write with? I've typed over 20,000 words on my phone for one WIP. A sentence or phrase here and there really adds up over time. Type while on a leisurely walk, while sitting in the bathroom, while waiting in line at the store, etc.

Or maybe you need to completely focus on something else. Actually try to get rid of the thought for a few days or a week. Then come back to it when you're fresh. I've done that on several occasions and made some progress.

 

[James Coote]

Or get a dictaphone? I know it is deeply unpleasant to have to type out later from listening to your own recorded voice, but it might let you either move on or at least get it out of your head so it isn't bouncing around there all Christmas.

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

I had a similar problem when I reached the final chapter of my WiP. Because I'd told myself the story on so many occasions, when it finally came to writing it, I, like you, couldn't bring myself to do it.

The way I overcame this particular affliction was to write something which had absolutely nothing to do with my story. Once I'd ploughed through a few paragraphs of the fresh ideas, I suddenly found the urge to return to my initial story, much to my relief.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

You have little Perpettes yes you are over thinking it. You have new dad brain .

Spend some time with a character - take them out of the story and go christmas shopping with them or ice skating or bowling etc - write about that for a bit. Have fun with your writing.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks everyone, some good advice and some great ideas.

I really like the idea of using the mobile phone for doing bits on, but mine is just a little too small I think. (Or more exactly my chunky fingers are too big.) My contract is up for renewal in January so I might be able to wangle something newer and bigger. Of course some of the other extras might help a little. The voice recognition on my current phone is not too bad, so something like that might turn out to be useful.

I might have had a bit of time tomorrow so I might just attempt to cut through it.

I do have something else I might be able to work on if it turns into too much of struggle, so I can give that a go.

Because as James said I don't want this driving me nuts through Christmas.

Brian the book is something that I may well have to look at at sometime - I've seen you mention it before - I'm not sure it will get here soon enough ...

Thaddeus I guess I must be.

 

[Reivax26]

I actually carry a tape recorder with me and when something hits me out of the blue I will record it for later on when I am in front of the keyboard. This helped me out quite a bit actually. I also have the outline set for my book and hopefully it is liked enough to warrant me writing the other two to make my own trilogy. A friend of mine gets over writers block by writing whatever random crap comes to his mind. He said that a professor in college told him the best way to get around writers block was to write whatever random stuff comes to mind until your block is gone concerning the story you are frustrated with. That also helped at one point early in my WIP.

Hope some of that helps.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Well I managed to plough on through, I'm not sure I'm happy with it, but the story has continued and I can reach the end of the chapter from where I am.

Thanks folks, I'll see what happens when Christmas gets in the way.

I do think I've noticed a problem - lack of character in the main character, or it might be me a bit close to him.

 

[Warren_Paul]

I wouldn't be surprised to hear the lack of character, Perp. I believe that often happens with protagonists. That's why we have secondary characters, to help liven them up and provide some character to the scenes they might otherwise be missing.

 

[Scott R. Forshaw]

This thread prompted me to search for an app I could use on my phone, and I think I've stumbled upon a little gem. For those of you on android who might be interested in writing on the go, then Kingsoft Office is definitely worth a look. The added bonus, as well, is that it's completely free. I'm certainly impressed, so far.