Ten Weeks of Writer's Prep and Challenges: Week Five
Welcome back to Ten Week's of challenges! If you don't fancy yourself a writer and have no interest in beginning, scroll on down for your challenge.
Ten Weeks of Writer's Prep
Week Five: Combating Blocks!
Hey there Ramblers!
During our first round of Ten Challenges, we explored Conflicts. This time around, let us explore the most devastating conflict that can occur for a writer: writer's block!
It pops up out of nowhere and turns the free-flowing fountain of ideas into a white brick wall. Writer's block is a pain in the butt and there are two ways of approaching it: offensively, and defensively.
What do I mean?
Going on the offensive with writer's block means striking it before it strikes you. In order to do this, you must prep, prep, prep! In past writing posts, I've shared with you that my personal preference is to create a physical timeline and fill it with as many story components as I can. I put up a string, and hang the five key plot elements, then I hang various ideas, thoughts, memories, and character introductions all in order of when they will appear in the story. This way, whenever I feel a lag begin to develop in my writing, all I have to do is check the next paper on my timeline and get myself to that point. Dory in Finding Nemo had her Just Keep Swimming song, and we my creative friends, have to Just Keep Writing!
Now for some, going on the offensive simply isn't their way. They like to set pen to paper and see where it takes them. There's nothing wrong with that, it just means relying on the defensive when writers block decides to strike. For some, this might mean creating a jar of prompts: random scenarios to include in your book somehow. For example: write a scene where your character is enjoying a meal- write a scene where your character experiences betrayal- write a scene where your antagonist experiences a victory, etc. Sometimes, writing about anything allows you to get back into the groove for writing what you are trying to focus on. Now unfortunately, this method isn't one that works for me, I'm definitely better suited for going on the offensive, so I haven't many suggestions at the ready for this that I can personally recommend. However, with so many writers out there, you're never too far from a suggestion. The recommendation I can make, is to head over to the forums at NaNoWriMo and connect with other defensives there. Remember, a writing community is a tool of its own, and when all else fails, you can always turn to someone you trust to bounce some ideas back and forth with.
Good luck!
During our first round of Ten Challenges, we explored Conflicts. This time around, let us explore the most devastating conflict that can occur for a writer: writer's block!
It pops up out of nowhere and turns the free-flowing fountain of ideas into a white brick wall. Writer's block is a pain in the butt and there are two ways of approaching it: offensively, and defensively.
What do I mean?
Going on the offensive with writer's block means striking it before it strikes you. In order to do this, you must prep, prep, prep! In past writing posts, I've shared with you that my personal preference is to create a physical timeline and fill it with as many story components as I can. I put up a string, and hang the five key plot elements, then I hang various ideas, thoughts, memories, and character introductions all in order of when they will appear in the story. This way, whenever I feel a lag begin to develop in my writing, all I have to do is check the next paper on my timeline and get myself to that point. Dory in Finding Nemo had her Just Keep Swimming song, and we my creative friends, have to Just Keep Writing!
Now for some, going on the offensive simply isn't their way. They like to set pen to paper and see where it takes them. There's nothing wrong with that, it just means relying on the defensive when writers block decides to strike. For some, this might mean creating a jar of prompts: random scenarios to include in your book somehow. For example: write a scene where your character is enjoying a meal- write a scene where your character experiences betrayal- write a scene where your antagonist experiences a victory, etc. Sometimes, writing about anything allows you to get back into the groove for writing what you are trying to focus on. Now unfortunately, this method isn't one that works for me, I'm definitely better suited for going on the offensive, so I haven't many suggestions at the ready for this that I can personally recommend. However, with so many writers out there, you're never too far from a suggestion. The recommendation I can make, is to head over to the forums at NaNoWriMo and connect with other defensives there. Remember, a writing community is a tool of its own, and when all else fails, you can always turn to someone you trust to bounce some ideas back and forth with.
Good luck!
Ten Weeks of Challenges
Week Five: Make a Difference!
Last time around, week five was all about supporting a good cause. This time, the good cause is pretty well everyone-everywhere. Right now, we all find ourselves in a very similar mess, and we all have the potential to make someones day better, to make our own day better. This week, I invite you to discover new ways of making this happen. I've seen people singing to each other from their balconies, playing music together, having concerned, zumba workouts, etc! Where I live, social-distancing is the approach, so unless you're self-isolating like me, you're still permitted to go for a walk alone or at a distance from someone else.
I myself might not be leaving my apartment due to my current health, but that doesn't mean I can't have any interaction with the world outside! This week, I used window chalk to draw tic-tac-toe on my window. Now when people are walking by on the sidewalk below, I can challenge them to a quick game! I've also enjoyed plenty of video calls with friends, read a bedtime story to their kids, and gone live to share funny adventures I've had either from home or on my travels. All of these little things make a difference for my mental state, as well as for the moods of others who are in the same boat of just wanting to talk to someone, anyone at this point. There are so many options for you to explore, and ideas waiting for you to discover them, get creative!
So whether it's checking up on your extrovert friend, making a neighbour laugh through the window, or decorating a sidewalk with some inspiring messages, this week your challenge is to do something to make a difference in this dark time.
Best of luck to you and yours.
*****
Hey Ramblers! Whether you are a writer or not, I hope you enjoy week five of your challenge. As always, feel free to comment below or email me at thebrastreetrambler@gmail.com to share your experiences or feedback.
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
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