Dealing with Writer's Block I know a lot of writers get stumped with what to do when the old "Writer's Block" gets hold of you, but I've got a couple of solutions for you that really aren't that miraculous when you think of it. There are several things I do as a matter of fact. Of course it depends on just how stuck I am on my manuscript. One of the first things I do, is turn to another manuscript and work on it a while. I like to have more than one going at a time. So if I'm bored or stumped I can always work on something else. It doesn't have to be the same genre either, just something to get you working is important. Working stimulates the old brain and that's what we want to accomplish, isn't it? Next, if it's really bad, and it's getting to you. You know, no matter what you do you are thinking about it, but still can't come up with what to do with the story you started. Try housework. Don't laugh, I'm serious. Now this is a very powerful tool to a writer. Why? Because most writers I know deplore housework. Almost anything is better than sweeping the floor or making beds. Most of us are allergic to housework. Martha Stewarts' we are not! But I guarantee you, if you bore yourself enough with housework your mind will kick into gear and start churning with ideas. So try boring yourself to death with housework to break that block. Let's face it we are all sort of "Walter Mittys". There's another easier method that I like to use--calling writing friends for some good ole brain storming. Ah yes, talking about that book and it's magnificent plot can sometimes make you see the light. Especially when your friends begin to turn weird on you and suggest you do something totally opposite of what you had planned in the book. What an eye opener a good friend can be. When all else fails, I pray. Yeah, I know you might think this corny, you might think the two don't mix. But you are so wrong. Just think about it, we create people on paper and computer. God created people. So don't you think we have a lot in common? My whole concept for Chief Cook & Bottle Washer came through a little talk with God I had. I'm not kidding. Okay, you want to hear what happened. I sat down in my recliner, leaned back, closed my eyes and told God, in about these words. "I haven't a clue what I'm going to write about next. I just finished my last book and I'm stumped for an idea. There's nothing there. Have I lost it? Yes, I know this and that sells. Yes, I enjoy reading it. But how can I make a story like that so different that it will interest others? Maybe you didn't mean for me to be a writer. Maybe I'm fooling myself here. I need some sorta sign."Hear that old negative thing kicking in. Oh yes, we are full of the negative. The answer came. Need I say more, then and there, it came. No, there is no logical explanation except that I prayed and God answered it. The old story of read what you like, write what you like thing works too. Sometimes we try to w rite something for the wrong reasons. Because it's popular, because it sells. Perhaps we should rethink that and consider what "we" like. Sometimes I believe we actually make ourselves do things we don't want to do. Now this is good in some occupations, I agree. But not in writing. If you don't love your characters, know them and yes, maybe even talk to them, maybe you are trying to write the wrong book. Or perhaps you are writing it at the wrong time in your life. So leave it. It'll be there tomorrow or next month or next year. Write something you like! Write something that means something to you. None of these ideas are brilliant. None of them are probably original either. However, they work for me and I wanted to pass them along to you.