Blastin' through the Block: HUNTING PICTURES EDITION!!!

It's that time again. The time where I give you my many (and I do mean...MANY) ways of combating writer's block. This week's edition?

HUNTING PICTURES

One of the best things that can give you a spurt of inspiration is a picture. They weren't lying when they said a picture's worth a thousand words....or several thousand in our case. Take a look at the pics below. 

 

Source

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Pretty intense right? They don't even look like they're from this world. There are thousands of other pictures on the web, just do a google search. See what inspires you. 

This is my favorite part: You can type in anything your want.

Try common words and uncommon words; use ideas from your story. You can even type in abstract words like hope, love, happiness, or cruelty. Go. To. Town. Have fun. See what you come up with. I'm sure the results will surprise you. 

Now, take the pictures that have really drawn your eye and think about why that is....is it the flow of the image, the bright colors, the lack of color, the idea behind it? What is it that really "speaks" to you. Think about how you can incorporate this into your book. Does it remind you of a character? A chapter? Or even an unwritten plot line? The pictures you've found is complete...now, you just have to make your WiP that way. That's the real challenge.

So, have you hunted for pictures? Plan to hunt for them? What have you found? Let me know in the comments!

Blastin' through the Block: YOUTUBE IT EDITION

Still got writer's block? Well, check this out! YOUTUBE.COM. It's probably something you've already heard about. Pretty much anything is on there. Book trailers, movie trailers, music videos, videos of people doing stupid things, you name it...you can find it or something close to it.

In the days of yesteryear (also known as the 80's and before) the internet wasn't really up and running. Any research for books was usually done with books, magazines, journals, and interviews. That was pretty good, but now we can take a fiction book and make it that much more AWESOME because of youtube.

Youtube.com is my go to for any sort of action/reaction of the human nature. It's also a huge source for abstract things...like the digestion system of a chicken. (Not joking, it's on there. Thank you people who put in on there for the good grade I'm going to get on my Poultry Production exam because of it)

Besides disecting chickens, you can also check out action scenes. Say you're writing a fighting scene, or a runaway scene. With normal research methods (including your own experience) you might come up with something like...

"Jared hopped from box to box, each one wobbling with his weight. In a dramatic jump, he launched over the barbed fence and into the junkyard. At the sound of barking dogs, he stood and began again."

Not that great. Check out this video though and see what you can add to the paragraph. (You don't have to watch the whole thing to get the gist.)

Pretty cool right? Most likely, if your character is really on the run, he isn't going to be showing off the like the guy in the movie, but you can see why some of the things he does can really help you character, especially if you're writing a distopian or apocalypse. (Also, if your characters are on the run, they might have to hunt. Finding "how to dress/skin animals" on youtube is a gruesome thing to watch, but it is helpful if you don't want to try it for yourself.)

With the new info you can rework your paragraph to something like...

"Jared launched off of the barrel. His back arched as he cruised over the barbed fence, it's metal teeth snapping at his shirt. The impact on the Earth vibrated up his body until his ears wiggled. The sound of barking dogs alerted him. The race wasn't over yet."

Still, it could use some fine tuning, but you're in a better place than you were.

Going to youtube is also a great way to get an action or reaction that you don't have experience with or seeing something that doesn't happen often. Unlike the guy in the video above, I have no desire to jump off a building or run up a moving car. My characters might have to and that's where youtube enters the scene.

Maybe you're having a problem writing a scene because you don't have enough experience with what your character is doing. You can look it up all you want in books and articles, but there are some things, like the way your body moves when you're fighting with a sword, that you need to see someone do (or do yourself) to understand and therefore describe.

One note: Double check references and information. Sometimes the people talking are experts, other times they're not. It's still up to you to do the basic research.

Check out the videos below. Any great sentences coming to you? I'd love to hear them in the comments.

Blastin' through the Block: EXPLORATION EDITION!!!

For those new on this scene, Blastin' through the Block, is where I give you my (numerous and sometimes crazy) methods for blasting through your worst case of writer's block. Today's edition is EXPLORATION!

Source

Remember those days when you were a kid, when you FINALLY finished your homework and you got to go outside and play? You had that tree-house high in the sky (or maybe just 4 feet) and there was that super, scary witch that lived next door and could curse you through her windows (aka your neighborhood babysitter), and can't forget your noble steed (dog) who was so brave he often dumped you on the ground so he could go after the dragon (bird) himself? Well, this is going to be a slightly less embarrassing version of the same thing. (Hopefully, no promises though :)

Not actual one in town, but scary similar. Source

What to do: Pick out someplace near that you've always liked/admired/thought was totally cool. I picked out the main street of my college town. It has this older/rustic type feel and on one side it fades into these huge houses with lots of columns and turrets. And start walking. (simple right) As you're walking, think about your characters.

What to think: Would they live in a place like the one to the left or would it be in a state of ruin? Do they live in a small town with eclectic little shops? Or maybe you're writing a dystopian? Imagine all of those places in your world and you're your character walking down the street wondering which house might have a couple canned goods left (BAM! Welcome to your setting.)

Hopefully, this will get your brain into gear. Let's think about this: generally, it takes little concentration to walk (unless you're me and you have to make sure not to trip over your own feet) this leaves your brain time to wonder = new ideas. Another plus is you get some exercise in. (Or you can take the kids out for a walk, they get tired, and take a nap longer than normal <--Hello more writing time)  

On a side note: If the place you want to explore is not on your own property or public property, as the owner for permission first! (Because I don't want you to get shot and because it's the right thing to do)

Any questions? Got plans now to explore? Any further suggestions for ways to blast through the block? Let me know in the comments! (P.S. Do you like the color "notice me" thing I've got going? Or is it annoying?)

Blastin' through the Block: MEET YOUR AUTHOR EDITION!!!

Okay, I'm going to come out and be completely honest. Ready??? Really..are you sure? This may not be pretty...well fine.

I haven't written anything in a long time....as in it's been about 2 months and some change.

*cringe*

Yeah, I'm definitely not proud of that. I'm in a slump for a variety of reasons but mostly because I lack the motivation. So here's what I'm going to do....revert to my old standbys, that's right, Blastin' through the Block. I figured well hey, maybe I'm not the only one who could use a picker-upper so I'm sharing with you. 

This edition is called meet your author. Don't take it too literally because I know it's not always possible for that to happen. I mean sure, if I had several thousands of dollars I could probably talk J.K. Rowling into tea as long as I supplied the crumpets :) but as it is, I am a poor college student. So how do you meet your author? By stalking them. *DISCLAIMER* I am not encouraging the actual criminal type of stalking.* I mean check them out. Do they have a blog? A website? What is their tour schedule if their touring? Do they have an extras like interviews or vlogs on youtube? Read it all. Listen to it all. View it all. 

Why? You ask. Well, because they're where you want to be, and in a sense who you want to be. 

Here's the thing: It has to be an author you admire, believe in, etc. It has to be someone stalk-worthy. It has to be someone THE bookshelf worthy. Why? For the simple reason that they will inspire you the most. Take in what they say, what they type, what they have done for others, and use that as your motivation. Absorb the inspiration they give you and stream it onto your paper in your own words and in your own way. Every author I've ever stalked has given advice to writers. Take it in. They say what made them start writing and what keeps them writing. Use it as your inspiration. 

Most of all. Listen to what they say when they're talking about themselves. You'll find a commonality (most likely) between them and you and in that moment they become human. You can take them off that divine bookshelf and turn them back into what they are: people who write. They're people just like me and you. That can empower you because as J.K.R. said, "If they can do it, why not us." And indeed, why not?

What did I just spend the last two hours doing? Checking out an author that I have spent very little time with: Lois Lowry (check here if you don't know what has made me love her as much as J.K.R.). I am really jazzed up to write something now...I don't know that anything will come of it, but you can bet I'm going to at least open a document and try. Which is progress for me :) I once told a friend that writing a book draft isn't more than just not stopping until you get to the end. I should probably remember that more often. 

So, what do you think? Have you actually met an author in person? (I want to hear ALL about it!) If not, have you *stalked* an author lately? Are you going to stalk now? Any other ideas of how to Blast through the Block? Let me know in the comments!

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!

Blastin' through the Block: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH REMINDERS EDITION!!!

Welcome to the lasted edition of Blastin' through the Block!

Many people know how important books are, and the magic they can create. They make universes, worlds, lives, and people. They also construct a bond that is immensely strong and unlike any other. When readers look back on books, they don't just remember the stories the books contain; they remember their lives. What they were doing when they read the book, who they shared its pages with, and what they learned about themselves from its words. Not many other things can birth such a powerful thing. But, that's just what books do for readers, they do much more for authors and writers.

Many writers are plagued with self doubt. I'm one of those writers. When I'm having a bad day, I wonder why I'm even trying so hard for something that may never, more than likely won't ever happen. I can never be as good as those legends that stalk my bookcase, so what's the point? The point is something powerful I just discovered.  My books are as different from theirs, as theirs are from each other. I probably will never be as good as those people I admire and it's unfair to judge myself based on them.

The authors I admire get a special place on my bookshelf, a place of honor at the top, the most viewable and easily reached place. Someplace, somewhere, there are authors who doesn't know they made it to the top of my bookshelf, that high place of honor. A place I hope to be someday. This doubt I am absorbed in isn't because of my hope to be as good as those writers. It's the idea that my book will never mean as much to anyone else as it means to me. It will never be at the top of the shelf for anyone.

It's the days I feel like crap, I head to my library. There is no proverbial higher shelf there. Books are arranged by the author's name. All are equal in their own right. They made it to the shelves. They made their way to readers' hands and they have an equal chance to create that special, magical bond. I'm on an even playing field again when I sit down and begin writing. The worries of being on the high shelf dissolve because here, the highest shelf is the dustiest and the one most people aren't tall enough to reach.

Here's my advice for Blastin' through your writer's Block: (1)Surround yourself with reminders that there's something magical about what books mean to authors and writers, more than any other type of person; write in place that reminds you of your goals to make it to a shelf, and never let the fear of the higher shelf win. (2)Sometimes you don't need to do anything other than change your scenery to get rid of the niggling feelings of doubt that make it hard to write. (3)Everyone starts at the same place with a pen and paper, surrounded by the magic of books.

*picture came from http://media.photobucket.com/image/books%20magic/Methos06/AvatarBooks2.gif?o=98

Blastin' through the Block:FINDING YOUR CHARACTER'S IDIOSYNCRASIES EDITION

That's right! Back your your viewing pleasure is Blastin' through the Block! The bi-weekly event where I tell you how I blast through my writer's block! This week's edition is finding your character's idiosyncrasies. 

Idiosyncrasies (according to dictionary.com) can be defined as:

1.	a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.

2.	the physical constitution peculiar to an individual.

3.	a peculiarity of the physical or the mental constitution, esp. susceptibility toward drugs, food, etc.

I happen to love these little things that make each one of us unique and individual. I think part of what makes characters come alive are those little things that seem like they don't matter. The face that your MC has a thing for mac n'cheese, a supporting character hates the color purple, or your MC's love interest's habit of wearing two pairs of socks because he's insecure about his foot odor, may seem like things that don't matter at all when first written. In the end those little things make them more that flat characters made of words. They pop out into fully fledged and believable people, readers can fall in love with. 

So, what does this have to do with writer's block? For me, everything. When I first start writing a book the characters seem flat and unreal. They are just words on paper and until I can flesh them out, it can be hard to stay motivated. So, I start making up quirks about them, little things that show who they are without telling. 

My favorite is of my MC, Ashleigh. She's a girl who puts very little value in the color pink, to say it repulses her and makes he want to puke would not be an exaggeration. Girlyness is a trait she'd rather trade her soul that to have. That said, she has an insane box of shoes in every style, size, color and variety. 

I really don't know how or when the idea she had a thing for shoes (that went so far against her personality) popped into my brain but in the end, it has a role in the story. It makes her who she is. I do know why I needed it. I was having a hard time writing a girl who dislikes almost everything about being a girl and wasn't athletic to boot. Giving her a girlish out was like breathing life into her. Sometimes that's exactly what we need...to breathe more life into our characters and let them step out of our words and into the hearts of our readers. 

*Picture came from http://media.photobucket.com/image/book/thebeautiful1s/art/book.jpg?o=3

Do you have a favorite idiosyncrasy of one of your characters? How do you breathe life into your characters?

Blastin' through the Block: TALKIN' IT OUT EDITION WITH A WRITING BUDDY!!!!!!

Some of my greatest moment have been with my writing buddy at McDonald's, no joke, McDonald's, and we aren't going there for the fries. (More on the issues I have with McDonald's fries later) Sometimes the best thing, for me, when I can't write is to just to talk it out.

Even though my writing buddy knows almost everything I do about my book, I can still talk to her about it. I can go through every event and explain how everything works out. This helps so, so much. I can refocus on the main points for the book I'm writing, make it more complex, and add in more connections between events. All of those come together to clear it all up for me. I can talk all around the area that is holding me up until I come up with some solutions (with my writing buddy's help of course). Before I know it I've got 5 solutions and the only problem I have is choosing just one.

Other positives of having a 3 hour long McDonald's lunch trip are:

• People watching: Literally, everyone is at McDonald's and that means every type of person imaginable (Hello Inspiration, yes, it's me again. Thanks for having me)
• Free drink refills: Yes, this rocks when you're a college student and need to save your cash supply, or just in general need to save your cash supply.
• Wi-Fi available: This could mean distractions, but if I go with a writing buddy, I find I can keep on tract much more easily. 
• You can sit there as long as you like with not a single crazy look, not very many crazy looks from other people. 

Having someone else listen to your plot lines, characters, ask questions, make suggestions, and show actual interest in this massive part of your life does a huge thing to your self esteem and confidence in writing. Having a writing buddy is priceless and I'm sure it would have taken me ages to finally do anything with the stories I had floating around in my thoughts if my writing buddy hadn't encouraged me. So much of doing this writing thing is stuff a writer must do by her/himself, but there are some areas where having other people go with you on your journey is a possibility, having a writing buddy and critique group are the most talked about and some of the most worthwhile, more on that in a later post. 

Of course, you could choose any place to go. Perhaps a place with better fries. Maybe the fries different in different parts of the country (or world), but the ones here are always soggy and thin and if they're not, then they're hard and thin. What it comes down to is the fries are thin, little soggy/hard things that would be easier to eat with a fork and resemble hash browns because they are so wimpy. if I wanted hash browns, I'd order them.  It's as simple as that. But, enough ranting...

Do you have a writing buddy you can talk things over with? Are they awesome at getting your mind in shape and out of a rut? And most importantly, what is your view on the McDonald's fry?

Blastin' through the Block: MUSIC EDITION!!!

Happy Thursday everyone! I'm at home now and the internet connection here is slower than molasses on a freezing, winter day, so I'm so sorry if I don't get around to everyone's blogs! I have plans to visit a coffee shop soon so hopefully I can catch up there. :)

Now, without further adieu, Blastin' through the Block: MUSIC EDITION!!! Music in every culture is a big part of life, so, it kind of makes sense that music is also a big part of writing for some people. I am one of those people. I always have music playing when I'm writing. It's like I can't form a coherent thought without it.  It certainly affects what I'm writing.

Different music helps me connect in a different way with each character. Like Reba McEntire's Because of You. The words and emotion in the song absolutely connect with my MC. A small excerpt is below. If you haven't heard this song you should really youtube it. It's a great motivator.

I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

Sometimes, just listening to the songs that are so like my characters could be my characters speaking the lines themselves, can pull me up when I don't feel like writing, but other times it takes a bit more. That's when I go on my song search.  I'm lucky enough that I have a friend that is obsessed with music. (Literally, I've never seen anyone else like her and I mean that as a compliment.) I always go to her if I need to write something with a specific emotion. She has a massive amount of music and it was she, who introduced me to the rock band, Skillet. Some days I think this band is the reason I write. :) Their lyrics nearly always make me want to write and nearly all of their songs can fit my book; just like the lines I've included below.

Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?
We're in the fight of our lives
And we're not ready to die

Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero, I've got a hero
Living in me

I don't know if it's possible to find a group or artist that fits your writing perfectly, I just happened on Skillet and they stuck.  Knowing how much they have helped me write when I kind of don't feel like it, makes me encourage you to find that band/artist that speaks the lines your characters could say. 

So, do you write with music? Do you have a certain artist/group that always seems to say the right thing? Who are they? (Hey, I'm always looking for new music) 

Blastin' through the Block: FURNITURE SHOPPING EDITION!!!

Okay, so I was out today with my writing buddy and we needed some inspiration (and were slightly bored)...well, that inspiration (and boredom) turned into an massive project that I am going to present to you every Tuesday and Thursday!

Presenting: Blastin' through the Block!

A series where I tell you what my writing buddy and I do to blast through those problem days when we'd rather become Chemistry majors than open our manuscripts. (Well, that's just me, she doesn't have nearly the issues I do about Chemistry) So, today's topic is...FURNITURE SHOPPING!!!!

This is one of our favorite pastimes when we need to kill an hour or two, or when we're desperate for some inspiration. There's nothing like going into a store and finding something that could fit in your story like candy hearts on Valentine's Day. When I go in, I can find something and envision it in it's place in one of my character's houses and their actions around said furniture piece.


For example, this lovely pale yellow lounge sofa has the following place in my book. It's small but it got me out of a small slump.
"  “We need to talk for a second.” Ausin replied walking into her immaculate white and pink bedroom to find her on a light yellow lounge couch.  " (Yes, the character's name is Ausin. It's like awesome, but with an n instead of m, long story)

Here's another that is similar to something I've written. Okay, I found it on Regis and Kelly, but it counts! It got me out of writer's block in a snap when I saw it because it screamed one of my characters and her couch plays a bigger part in my books than I could have ever imagined! 


Now, you can do all of this "furniture shopping inspiration" from your seat but it is so much more fun when you can go to a store and sit in the seat, imagine the character and feel that you are in your book. It gives you a HUGE connection with the character! There's no doubt I can find something that reminds me of my book in a furniture store and by just seeing it, I can get some inspiration. It's like seeing your book pop out in front of your eyes, and even better, you get to sit on it!! (another added bonus: you can close your eyes for a sec to think about all of this popping out of your book and no one thinks you're crazy!! unless you actually sleep, but that's never happened to me)


So, what do you think? Is Furniture Shopping a possibility for you? Do you already do it? Will you give it a try? What do you think of this new Blastin' through the Block idea? Let me know in the comments!