In 2015, I didn’t release anything solely because I wasn’t inspired and it became more of a job than anything. Once upon a time writing came natural and I was shelling out 90K word books like it was nothing. Until 2015 I was writing but not as much as I would like and then when I did write it didn’t read good or it wasn’t enough. I scrapped about 100K words of what I consider “not good enough” work. Writer’s block set in and I was desperate because like any other author writing is a passion of mine.
After googling and researching for countless hours I found remedies for this disease. The first was writing prompts everyday for 10-15 minutes with pen and pad. I backed away from the computer and found prompts that focused on setting, character development, emotions, scenes etc.
I learned that with this prompt no matter what trial you face or block you come to. NEVER STOP WRITING! Even if it’s a letter to yourself writing needs to become a part of your daily regimen. To help me I set alarms to do my daily writing prompt for 15 minutes and then I adapted a new routine to use a new word in my writing. So now I’m writing everyday and expanding my vocabulary.
The next thing I do is write about my day in a journal for 30 days. Soon after writing prompts, word of the day and writing in my journal become a routine I look forward to. At first this seemed boring but it helped as I started to get brilliant raw ideas from this. I keep a folder with all sorts of plot ideas so when I do get my mojo back I have all I need.
In October 2015, I received a gift of James Patterson Master Class and it comes with a handbook, assignments and James Patterson offering advice and tips to all who ask and attend the online class. My first thought was “Damn, this man is New York Times Best seller how many times!” but I quickly shut down all doubt and started. The class touches on EVERYTHING that pertains to writing a bestseller. I learned that all ideas can be used and research is required.
Most importantly to write a bestseller you need to plan. In order you need; plot idea (write 3-5 concise sentences of a plot and get honest opinions from people you trust), research (setting, characters), and outline story. Outlining a story/series helps you write the story faster and helps you build the plot. DO NOT let your outline get in the way of the story meaning if you can’t figure out how to get something to happen that’s in the outline. TAKE IT OUT/MOVE ON!!!!!! Don’t become a slave to your outline it’s only a rough guide.
Get the story down on the first draft. Write as raw as you can. Do not SOLELY count on the opinions of others but opinions are good. Write. WRITE. Write. You’ll write your best seller at LEAST three times before you get the final product. My advice is to get the story out with as many words before you ask anybody their opinion because you’ll spend more time perfecting 10K words. Trim the fat once it’s COMPLETE.
This is how I triumphed writer’s block:
- Daily writer’s prompt (10-15 minutes)
- Word of the day (define and use in prompt)
- Different music
- 30 Minute walk (2-3 times a week)
- Eat a fruit
- Write ideas by hand
- 30 day journal challenge
- Read books outside the genre I write and review them
Kindred Soul Publications 