Monday, September 20, 2010

Blastin' through the Block: FINDING A WHITEBOARD AND PUKING YOUR BRAINS ON IT

I know, I know I'm sure you thought your Blastin' through the Block episodes were over and done, gone off the this broadcasting channel but SURPRISE!!!!!


They're BACK!

For those who don't know, Blastin' through the Block is your one stop shop for the meds to Blast through the most stubborn case of writer's block you've ever had! Here's a complete list of other episodes that have run the past year. 

This episode features WHITEBOARD FUN!! (aka when you puke out your brain in an attempt to organize your WIP.) 

Sometimes the best way to get out of writer's block is to just spell it all out for yourself as much as you possibly can. (This is what I did this weekend, though I do not have the dreaded block at this time) This can mean that you create a post-it wall, a plot line, or some other random assortment of all the things swimming around your brain concerning your novel.
Mine turned out something like this:
Oh, right. Mine is the one on the right. The one that literally, looks like my brains rebelled against their confinement and decided to just hop on a white board. The one on the left is my writer buddy's (Hey Marin!). (Oh, and no, it's not your eyes going bad, I really did blur out everything. Sorry! Can't have you know all my secrets now can I?)  

The reason I wanted to show this particular pic was because organizing can be vastly different for different people, more on that tomorrow. (So be sure to stop by!) But, this means you don't necessarily need to do it on a whiteboard (though I must say, it was freaking AMAZING!!!!). You could use anything available. Post-it your entire wall if that's what it takes to finally get you out of your block situation. 
(Nope, not my post-it wall, but I've had my share.)

Add in colors, make it pretty (if that's your thing), add in arrows to each interconnecting plot idea, or just create a straight out outline. We all have different brains that work different, mine like's to splat out ideas and my writing buddy's likes things very symmetrical, but hey, writing it all out really helped both of us. It REALLY helped me cement down ideas and causes for characters' actions. It was AMAZING!!! 

So, here's my advice to you to knock that block outta the park! Go out and spill your brains!!!! Go on now, and have fun doing it!

8 comments:

Marin Longnecker said...

Too funny :] I still don't think I could ever follow your train of thought. I like my way better!

writergirl said...

That's so interesting! I think brainstorming is really important. I love capturing ideas and writing them down whenever I have them before they, well, get lost.

Going to read other "Blastin' through the Block" episodes now! :)

Patti said...

Brainstorming definitely breeds creativity.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I love love love the post it wall! I keep little note books for ideas...I have a huge number of them...blog ideas, pb ideas, poem ideas, season notes, mg ideas, family notes, words I like, misc ideas....and many more...I'm starting to think I have adhd???

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I always loved your writer's block posts - so glad they are back!!! These are great ideas, Bethany. :-)

Meredith said...

Oh, wow, that's awesome! Next time I have writers' block, I'm definitely trying the post-it method. Thanks for sharing!

Carolyn V. said...

Wow. I wish I had a post-it board like that. I'd never run out of ideas! (Well, I wish.) =)

VICTORIA SAAVEDRA said...

This was awesome!!! Love it!