Tip: Writer’s Block

“Suggestions? Put it aside for a few days, or longer, do other things, try not to think about it. Then sit down and read it (printouts are best I find, but that’s just me) as if you’ve never seen it before. Start at the beginning. Scribble on the manuscript as you go if you see anything you want to change. And often, when you get to the end you’ll be both enthusiastic about it and know what the next few words are. And you do it all one word at a time.”
(Neil Gaiman)

Writer’s block will strike us all at some point. It’s annoying and frustrating. Sometimes, it feels like you’ll never get over it. Sometimes, you can’t. But that’s a last resort. Here’s my advice for overcoming that demon before you exorcise it with fire.

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Character Profile: Jessie

Jessie Stills

Character Profile: Kari

Kari Nava

Uncharted

My first draft of Uncharted took far more work than most of my first drafts. It’s been nearly two years since I had my initial idea. The story now is nothing like the very first scribblings I made for the project.

What I’m here to talk about is plot. I’m usually terrible at plot. I mean, once I get started, it all comes together nicely, but as far as planning goes… not so much. I usually start with a character rather than a story. This time, it was Luc. I knew two things about him: he was trapped in a forest and I needed to free him. That made me think about who had trapped him, why and how he would be freed. Kari came to his rescue.