5 Ways I Get Over Writer's Block

Hey y'all! Sorry my super long absence. This month has been crazy, between ice storms, 70 degree weather, last-minute road trips, free archery lessons, visits to the doctor for allergy shots and home school conferences. :D 

Well, as I've been having trouble with this lately, I thought I would share with you all five ways that I get over Writer's Block, and ask about your methods. I actually haven't heard mush advice on the matter, except for the two obvious ones: Take a Break and KEEP WORKING NO MATTER WHAT I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVE A BLOCK.


Anyways, here's my five-cents:

1). Sit down and write out all your favorite words.
             I was at a really desperate stage of writers block when I decided to do this. It was really late at night, everyone else was asleep, and my light was the only one on in the room I share with my three other sisters. On the edge of sleep, but unwilling to go to bed without scratching the itch I'd had all day to write, but hadn't been able to because of my Block, I rolled over, grabbed a notebook, and started scribbling down all of the words I loved most: shiver, mirror, winter, obsidian, shatter. The next morning I woke up and it was gone. 


2).  Reread a draft of a different book you haven't worked on for a while and try to identify mistakes in it that you could still be making now.
           I've done this several times, and it always helps. It reminds me where I've been and how far I still have to go, but it also helps point me in the right direction for fixing my old mistakes. And it keeps me humble. :)

3). Change the font, spacing, or coloring of your document.

          Seriously. I got this advice from Pinterest, and it actually works. When I get fed up with something, or get a headache, or even start out a story knowing it's going to give me a tough time, I change at least the color. Gray is usually my go-to.

4). Make a list of all of your characters, every single one. Then mark if they are good or bad. Then mark whether they live or die.

          *maniacal laugh* I have this old money ledger I got from my great grandmother. It has columns for expenses, income, taxes, etc. But they are unlabeled, so I made it into a "Death Book" and used the columns for Last Name, First Name, Good/Bad, Die/Stay Alive. Then I filled it out. (In case you were curious, out of all of the characters from the series I wrote down, only about half lived. :P) I know this sounds slightly psychotic, but it really can help--plus, it's kind of fun. :D

5). If you're having trouble describing a certain thing (an emotion, reaction, scenery) go to one of your favorite authors and read how they describe it. Figure out why it works for them, and then make it work for you.

           I usually go to Riordan or Rowling, as their writing style fits mine the best, and this has never failed me. I'm sure you all know the feeling, when sometimes, after writing for hours or even days on end, your patience gets so frayed that the smallest things will start to trip you up. This helps me quickly get back up without losing momentum. (I once got stuck for hours just trying to write the part of a scene where five people enter a room. Talk about stuck. :-/ )


So, what do you guys do? Any suggestions, hints or advice? I could really use it!

Hope you all have an awesome day, 
~The Scribbler in the Attic