My Muse Tells Me a Story

So, my muse is a genius. It's funny, but I don't feel like I can take credit for those little sparks of inspiration that just fit. Does anyone else have that problem?

Anyway, I've been avoiding writing the last 36 hours or so because I have no idea what's going to happen next (a common thing with this book, I'm finding). So I read the last paragraph or two and just write. One more sentence. One more sentence.

And I get to a point where I realize my heroine has to leave the castle. I didn't intend for that to happen, but she has to. She has to help someone.

So as she's running (or, as I'm typing her run), I'm going through all the different things that are going to change because she left. I'm going through all the things that can go wrong for her, all the plot twists that are possible now.

And the possibilities are endless.

This was definitely the right thing to do. It's like I'm reading this book, not writing it. The surprises unfold as I go. I looked back to see why these great things have been happening and my muse answered: because the book belongs to the character.

I haven't had the plot set in my mind like I usually do. I normally have several plot points in my head and then as I write, I just make sure to connect the dots. The problem with that is that my characters are more like puppets. The story is plot-driven.

But with this one, my character thinks things through as I think through them. And then she chooses what to do next. It's like I don't have a say in it. She wouldn't just leave someone to die, so she's leaving the castle to go help them. End of story.

I love this.

RePost: Do You Need Some Motivation? What Writer Doesn't?

We all need a little boost every now and then. Most of the good stuff is posted in November, during NaNoWriMo season. (Let's face it, we need it.) But the summer months tend to dry up when it comes to mood-boosters.

Suzanne Young did a guest post on Delightful Reviews on How to Keep Writing. It's not easy.

Elana Johnson reminded her readers last month: You Can Do Hard Things.

If you tend to fizzle out in the middle of your projects, you'll appreciate Staying Faithful to Your WIP by Christopher Jackson. He helps writers keep the love for your story burnin' ;)

Writers can be insecure, especially with all the rejection we face. This article was retweeted over a hundred times and will be a classic go-to for me. Writer Unboxed: The Only Way to Know If You'll Be A Successful Writer

and

There Are No Rules: Read This and Tell Me What To Do (Same message, from a different perspective.)

This isn't exactly motivational, but it got my brain churning and thinking new ideas, so it still counts. Finding Your Perfect Writing Method by Jennifer Blanchard

Writers tend to be introverts, but staying indoors in our pajamas could hurt our creativity. Alexis Montgomery tells writers to Cut the Cord to stimulate that muse.

Lilith Saintcrow never ceases to inspire me and her blog post on the Importance of Dreams is no exception. She even uses one of my all-time favorite quotes:
"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of the dreams." (Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka)

and, from the same source:

If you want to view Paradise

Simply look around and view it.
Anything you want to, do it…
Wanta change the world?
There’s nothing
to it… (Willy Wonka)

Still Blocked? I Have More!

Like I said, there's a LOT out there about writer's block. These posts address some common issues related to writer's block or they analyze the process.

Beth Revis addresses the age-old, impossible-to-really answer question: Where Do You Get Your Inspiration? Maybe her answers can help you.

Stuck In the Middle: the Novel Doctor is one of my favorite bloggers. He posted about that ever-present hump that seems to pop up around 40,000 words with every. Single. Book.

Joanna Penn's blog is also in my top 5 favorite writing blogs. Ask Your Inner Voice: How to Call on Your Muse Just When You Need Her. This post is thorough and organized.

How to Beat Writer's Block

It seems like everyone has their say about how to beat writer's block. So of course, I'm going to post a bunch of opinions! (It's what I do.) There's a lot of overlap, but I wanted to post them all so you can see what works for a lot of people. (I'd try those first.)

Personally, if I'm a little blocked, I take a pen and paper and write whatever comes to mind. It's like my Muse is holding the good stuff hostage until I put down what she needs to vent. Or something.

10 Ways to Beat Writer's Block by Tina Morgan has some questions to ask yourself to help you figure out if you're really blocked or if you're just in a little slump. (I didn't even know there was a difference!) Then she gets into some ways to break through that block. I especially like that she says I should take a nap.

James from Men with Pens has some tips. (This post is short and sweet.)

Barry Lyga has some advice about writer's block: Don't Worry About It! (I love this guy's voice and sense of humor. It's worth a read, even if you aren't blocked.)

Write On…with Steve Gottry! gives 17 Sure-Fire Solutions to Writer's Block. He has a few I've never heard of, like listening to music or radio hosts that you don't normally listen to/like. Who knew?

Stick-with-it-ability on Genreality takes unblocking from a structural point of view. Good stuff, as always.



Amy and the Pen talks about what to do if you just don't know how to write something. She says: Write What You Know.