Mind is in chains, the plot is stuck....

[lonewolfwanderer]

Well, as the title says... I'm stuck. I ultimately know where I want to go, but I'm now at a point where I can't think what to do next. The next part of the MC's journey spans several months and it needs to focus on the initial development of the MC and his abilities (Not all, however) whilst still being linked to the main plot (maybe a few side plots?). But I just can't think of what to do next. My mind is empty. But I can't really ask for help, because I haven't mentioned the actual plot, and won't until I've completed the structure.


All I want to know is, how you guys overcome this "block" as it were?

 

[jastius]

i go to a theatre.. its dark and you can immerse yourself in someone else's plot... bring a pad of paper and a pen.. and when you get a glimmer of an idea, when your brian has time to breathe in the theatre, write it down..

as for your story.. why not try telling it from someone else's perspective for this bit.. since its not the main character doing this, an observer would be as good for filling in bits..

 

[lonewolfwanderer]

i go to a theatre.. its dark and you can immerse yourself in someone else's plot... bring a pad of paper and a pen.. and when you get a glimmer of an idea, when your brian has time to breathe in the theatre, write it down..

as for your story.. why not try telling it from someone else's perspective for this bit.. since its not the main character doing this, an observer would be as good for filling in bits..

ye with that idea, the majority of my story is spoken through the eyes of the MC. Only time it switches to 3rd is when a scene needs to be told that the MC isn't involved in. And, at the moment, that is usually implemented when I introduce a new character.
Also, right now, there isn't anyone to "Observe" him. The "important" people aren't yet aware of what he can do.
The next several months in the story needs to tell the story of how he goes from being a normal rebellious teen to someone who is trained in some form of combat (with the odd "tapping" in of his abilities). Which means training and challenges, with maybe a few minor life or death situations... this development will continue to grow until the end of the plot (where he will be at his strongest). But, I can't think of what to challenge him with. Well anything that isn't clichéd. In this world, at the moment, anything goes... I've just hit a blindspot.
And as I mentioned in the OP, these next several months is only the initial development of the character. As the story carries on from that, so will this development continue to build.


Theatre, huh? well, I do enjoy a good show... and I can see how that will work (gets your creative juices flowing)

 

[jastius]

usually things start changing for boys when they meet girls.. why not a romantic interest? throw her into the situation whenever you need to shake up the storyline. or a him if you are writing your character that way. but a friend or companion can add both interest to a situation and iron out some plot problems.

 

[sknox]

I write backstory. Tell the story of someone else. As written it never gets into the book, but I sometimes get ideas that get used. And since it's just backstory that no one will see, I don't fret over how it's written.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I go back to where I got tied in knots and then I write ideas on a notepad.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Make a note that something happens here, but you're not sure what yet.

Move on and write the next part that appeals to you.

Come back to this section when you have the inspiration.

I no longer attempt to write a story in a linear manner. If a scene comes to mind, I'll write it regardless of it's position in the story, then save that. Later on, I'll put these together in order in the MS.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Ask myself "What is the worst thing that could happen to my characters right now?" If that doesn't unblock the story then I do what Springs said and pull the story back,

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Take Jastius' idea of boy-meets-girl. Add in your own comment that he needs combat training. Combine the two.

Boy meets girl combat trainer. Girl ain't gonna take him seriously at least until he comes up to her level.

 

[Alexander Lesnoy]

I'd advise watching Batman Begins. The first act really keeps character development and plot moving forward as one, despite the split timeline. Movies are a great source of both inspiration and lessons in narrative structure.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Could one faction use genetic engineering to adapt to the toxic atmosphere? Then your conflict could be between the non-engineered who want to clean up the atmosphere, and the engineered, who would either die or have to go under domes of their own...

 

[sonny1022]

I no longer attempt to write a story in a linear manner. If a scene comes to mind, I'll write it regardless of it's position in the story, then save that. Later on, I'll put these together in order in the MS.

I hear that advice all the time. I am still trying to apply it. but its hard to let go of the linear mind of thinking.I think its because time and life are linear

 

[lonewolfwanderer]

wow, thanks for all the replies. Ye, there is currently a girl travelling with the MC, and she will become a love interest during the course of the story. She's needed for one of the scenes I have currently in my head.

But, I've overcome the block. It would seem the way the last paragraph or two was written didn't leave much to progress on. So, I scrapped it, and wrote something else. Now, I've introduced my next character, who intrigues even me. All I need now is to figure out who he is...

Thanks again all

 

[Abernovo]

But, I've overcome the block. It would seem the way the last paragraph or two was written didn't leave much to progress on. So, I scrapped it, and wrote something else. Now, I've introduced my next character, who intrigues even me. All I need now is to figure out who he is...

Thanks again all

Congratulations on beating the block.

You took a proven route. Ian Fleming (not the greatest writer in the world, but he could tell a story) supposedly always read over the last page of his previous day's writing with a view to keeping it, or writing something that moved the story on better. I think it was the only editing he did, whilst writing his first draft.
Good luck!