We all do it. You sit down in your usual spot, give your neck one last crack, hands poised over the keyboard, you’re ready to roll and – POOF – nothing. No words. No images to describe. No dialogue flowing in your mind. Nothing.
“Well, clean slate might be useful to try a new angle. Maybe introduce a new character!” you think.
Still nothing comes. It’s like your writing brain is frozen and instead the part of your brain that loves terrible television, snack foods, and new indie rock is soaring.
So, what to do? Write a list.
A professor in college suggested writing lists when stuck and I have never looked back. Now to clarify, I’m not talking about a grocery list or a to-do list. This will only distract you more and goodness knows you probably have plenty of those already. Instead pick a topic, anything at all, and begin making a list of items, images, sounds, and feelings associated with your chosen topic. It’s a process of unlocking your writing brain.
Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable. – Francis Bacon
For example, in honor of the change of season, let’s practice with Fall. Get out a pen and paper, write FALL at the top and immediately write the first ten things that pop into your brain.
As you create the list, pay attention to any scenes or distinct images that pop up. Finish your list and then revisit those scenes or images and expand on it. Write it out. It doesn’t have to be great or even half-decent. Just keep writing and keep moving forward.
What other list topics have you tried?
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