Writer’s block (shudder). Nobody needs to tell us wordfolk how painful and frustrating that condition that freezes up our creativity can be. But you know the old saying: “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.” Yes, fellow authors, even writer’s block can be put to good use to further our literary careers! I’m not guaranteeing that you’ll thank the Powers That Be for a spell of block, but at least you won’t have to look back on it in teeth-gritting pain.
After all, writing is only a part of the business of producing books. Think of all the time you’ve spent querying agents, arranging publicity, doing research. And usually you’ve done these things simultaneously with writing. Two (or more) full-time jobs at once! No wonder you’re tired! Just as the body needs sleep to recharge its batteries, so the imagination is likely to beg for rest now and then so it can plunge into the fray once more, all fresh and bubbling with originality. If you won’t let it rest, it will take rest by force, just as the body will fall asleep over your keyboard.
Sure, we’re told to write even when we can’t. To put down something, even something bad, on that paper. But think of all the other writerly things you need to do. Might this not be the ideal time to get them out if the way without having to break the flow of your thoughts? Here are a few ideas to keep your writership alive and moving forward during a spell of blockage.
Look Who’s Here!
It’s you! But are your potential readers aware of it? Publicity is the most important ingredient of authorial success. Is that best-seller really so much better than all the millions of other books out there? Probably not, but somebody got it under the nose of the book editor at the New York Times. The Times may be out of reach for most of us, but the internet is alive with book clubs and search sites that run inexpensive ads, peppering social media, finding readers willing to review a free copy of your work. There are online radio shows that want to interview authors. There are blog tours, Facebook takeovers—you name it. And there are still face-to-face signings at libraries and bookstores. Now that you’ve stepped back from the manuscript, sit down and start contacting people. It takes time, but time is what you have.
Make a Noise
Rather than writing bad stuff for a novel that’s stalled, write good stuff in another vein. It’s golden self-promotion. Write an article for a magazine about something relevant to your work. Guest blog. If you have a newsletter, start planning ahead and stocking some blogs. Write some fun lectures that you might deliver at the library. Or write a some short stories or flash fiction, maybe using the characters from your novel. Write poetry. Any of these mediums will keep your verbal eye in without putting too much pressure on a tired imagination. And who knows? You may give yourself an idea!
Look It Up
It depends on your genre, but a lot of folks need to do research for their novels. Police procedurals, historical fiction—this is a good time to hit the books or do some interviews with specialists. Better now than when you’re in full flow and don’t want to slow your momentum, right? We all know what an excuse for not-writing research can become (ahem!), but right now the alternative isn’t writing, it’s beating yourself up. If you’re suffering from a paralyzing case of impostor syndrome, read a good book on the writing craft or attend a workshop. This will keep you moving forward. Needless to say, use the research card responsibly. Even lemonade can be abused.
Clean up your lists. “Like” your Amazon reviews. Get an author profile up on every website you can. There are so many tiny tasks that need doing. When you’re in full creative flow, they can seem like resentable intrusions, so now is the perfect time to get them out of the way. And then, refreshed and ready to imagine, the mental deck all cleared, it’s back to the novel.
