Writer’s block. We all get it. So, what do you do when it happens? There are probably as many tricks as there are writers. Go for a walk, listen to music, watch TV or read a book. For me those are distractions, unless I'm reading a fantasy novel in which case I'm totally inspired. So, how do I break the block and get writing done? I use the old “What if” trick, but with a bit of a twist.
Many writers are comfortable with pen and paper, but I work on a computer using the Corel WordPerfect program. This method of breaking the block will only work for those who work on computers, unless you don't mind writing with coloured pencils or magic markers.
First open a new screen. Next, type up the last thing that happened in your story. If you know where you want the story to go, type up the possible ways of getting there. If you're not sure, simply type up possible plot lines (see Break the Block -pt.1) . As you type each one out, it will probably lead to another possibility. The best thing about this is that by the time you get to the end, you haven’t forgotten any of the paths. It’s there in front of you in black and white. Or – and here’s the best part – you can change your font colour and work in your favourite one. This isn’t going to be sent to an editor, so it’s okay to work in a rainbow of hues. You can even write each different path in a different colour or change fonts, if that helps. Have fun with it.
This colour technique can be used for other things as well. If you get to a point in your story and you realize that you need to add something in a previous paragraph or chapter, but you're on a roll and don't want to break it by going back to add it, just add a few lines about what needs to be added or changed. Make it stand out in red or blue or whatever colour you wish. I use this all the time and often have a rainbow manuscript.
Another thing you can do is try making a list of possibilities. Aim for twenty or more. Your first few ideas might be the usual list of suspects, but keep thinking. The more things you write down, the more unique they'll become. You may be able to blend certain ideas, but remember unique doesn't mean illogical. Your cow can't bark and your goat can't meow, unless you're in an alternate universe. In that case, this path becomes perfectly logical.
Finally, when you're editing and revising, make those revisions in colour. This will help you see where your story needs the most work. Plus, it makes new scenes or changes easy to find. If you belong to a writer's critique group and have the story critiqued, or workshopped, you can place comments for specific scenes within the scene. It'll stand out in purple, green or (insert favourite colour). But don’t forget to make sure your final copy is in black and white so it looks professional, and if you've used a fancy font, remember that editors prefer a *common, easy-to-read font.
*Generally Times New Roman or Courier New in a 12-point. Arial works as well. Some editors receive it in their own preferred font so it won't matter anyway.