Writers block........ pls help

[Sadboihours]

Hm. D'yall got any recommendations for like, just regular conversations ig?

[WillowTree]

Like, how to write dialogue you mean?

[Phantomlight]

@WillowTree Ooh, I'll check that song out. I listen to these even if they sometimes do not accompany a part I am writing at the moment or the overall theme of the novel I am writing, instrumental music just helps my creative mind flow better

They're good if you can't sleep too ^^
@Sadboihours Yes, exactly I hope something helps

[Sadboihours]

Lol yeah pretty much.

[WillowTree]

How to Write Dialogue: Master List of Dialogue Punctuation & Tips

[Sadboihours]

Thanksss!!! Lol I hope I can write soon XD

[kmlangleyauthor]

If you’re asking about music, try putting on whatever music you like having on in the background while having a regular conversation. That’s going to be different for everyone.

If you’re stuck on writing the regular conversation and it’s not just about setting the mood, try adding a little something more to the scene. Describe more of what’s happening. Add in some lame jokes (always my fav option) or write about the food that’s being eaten. Always add a little more if you’re struggling to write it because you can always cut it later.

[WillowTree]

Ok, here's where I admit something potentially embarrassing...

I listen to the Zelda: Breath of the Wild soundtrack when I'm in the mood for instrumental. It's just SO peaceful and it makes me happy since I then remember all the time my husband and I have sunk into the game.

I'll add these to my list and try to branch out on my instrumental music!

[Phantomlight]

@WillowTree What do you mean embarrassing? That's what I do too. No shame it that! I think that's awesome

[kmlangleyauthor]

Two Steps From Hell is my current favorite writing music. It’s intense enough to get me pumped up without being distracting

[kmlangleyauthor]

Seriously? Not embarrassing at all. Movie scores are my absolute favorite How To Train Your Dragon would be my equivalent of doing that

[Sadboihours]

me who listens to Hamilton:heavy breathing

[WillowTree]

Ah! I LOVE How to Train your Dragon!! I still haven't watched the 3rd one because the idea of toothless and hiccup being separated makes me too sad! I

[Sadboihours]

sad noises
ITS SO SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD

[kmlangleyauthor]

It is so sad but I also thought they did a great job of rounding out the trilogy. I mean, it’s really hard for a second movie to live up to the first and I feel like the third managed to, as well. It’s worth watching (especially if you need to cry LOL)

[Dysis]

Whenever I had this, I used to go straight to the basics and ask myself:
1. What's happening in previous chapters (in one line)
2. What should happen next, logically, so that the characters can enter the scene of my last chapter.

First, I divide my story into a very, very basic layout of the beginning, the hotchpotch in the middle and the BAM ending. It's so basic that I leave the middle section with a single "She's gonna investigate what's happening" and move on to the end. The problem usually arises in the hotchpotch in the middle. So, I turn that into a very basic flowchart that shows me how I'm gonna lead the character step by step with her actions/ new discoveries and new challenges during her investigation until she meets the end. It's super basic, I don't go into the nitty gritty details of how she will react with words or expressions or whatever.

Usually I find that I'm stuck in that flowchart. And that happens because of a lack of idea on:
1. How they will act.
2. What problems they will face because of their previous actions/ creating an arc that's new but relevant to the ending.

For one, I look into the character's personality and let them decide what they will do. (If reckless: dives into a problem. If cautious: lays back and lets others mess the story up)

For the second problem, I look into the same sources that started my imagination in the first place, be it a few mangas of the same genre or a movie or a novel. Usually, my mind starts getting a few ideas again and I enter it in the flowchart, not the actual story.

Edit: What I mean is, the more you're stuck, the broader you should make your flowchart. Something like: Y is stuck in a scene A. Prota needs to save Y. Should prota go to the scene of action (A) / not go? Yeah. That basic.

Only when I'm entirely done with the flowchart, I subdivide it into sub-flowcharts where I take into account the responses of each character to the situation, the loopholes that I'd left open in the previous chapters and the single-chapter-plot. Often that builds up a lot of content. And then, I start writing the chapters one by one by putting the entries in the flowchart.

I wouldn't know about you all but it has worked for me so far. Hope this helps, friend.

[KRWright]

My cure to writer's block is twofold: the first is that I plan the hell out of everything using sheets like this:

These sheets help me know precisely what it is that I'm going to write. This is based on Save the Cat, but you can make them based on whatever works for you.

I then manage my time like so:

So I always know what I'm working on and when. I found it really helps because even days I'm really not feeling like writing, I can just force it knowing what's coming up in the plot and knowing that I have X amount of time I should do so.

[Dysis]

Wow. Where do I get this? I mean is there an app?

[KRWright]

You can download a copy from here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAEH9bujyKQ/7RJ4wq4_zldQKjduclxg1A/view?utm_content=DAEH9bujyKQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=homepage_design_menu

Probably should say - I made this for me based on already working extensively on lots of methods. You'll need to research Save The Cat and incorporate other stuff to stop the plot being paint by numbers/formulaic.

[domisotto]

I love Save the Cat!