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I'm not a big believer in "Writer's Block". I am not saying that writers don't get stuck. I believe it is due to a possible host of factors:
- Life's Distractions
- Poor Planning--the writer has written themselves into a corner or a dead end.
- Lack of Confidence--finishing a project has its own implications.
- Not Enough Research--see Poor Planning
- Trying to please everybody with a particular piece.
- Trying to write, emulating someone else.
- A handy excuse to be lazy and not move forward.
- Tired or burned out on writing--life needs balance.
Posting writing pieces (stories, articles, essays, etc.) on blogs, websites and in open forums constitutes using up 'First Electronic Rights'. The work has been published.
- While not every publisher considers this true, many do and that is reason enough not to do it. If nothing else, it limits the markets that particular piece can be submitted to.
- Deleting a piece before it is submitted, or after it is submitted, does not change the fact that it was available online. If a novel goes out of print and is thus unavailable, does that equate to never having been published?
- Signing a contract that states the market is purchasing first rights (electronic especially) once a piece has already been online is being dishonest, and cannot lead to anything positive--with the potential of largely negative consequences.
Prewriting, plotting, outlining, before beginning a piece--especially a novel--is necessary. Knowing where a piece is to begin and the ending is minimum. Major plot points or events along the way are handy too. This will help avoid "Writer's Block" by giving a writer direction and something (a mile marker) to write towards.
- That doesn't mean what has been outlined cannot be changed--it will change during the writing process.
- Claiming that planning takes the mystery out if it...and if it's not a mystery or at least surprising to the writer, how can it be to the reader? That's a copout.
- Maybe a writer needs a mystery as they write. If so, expect a meandering novel, going off on tangents, and requiring excessive amounts of revision, editing and trimming.
- A director for a movie knows what's going to happen as he films it. Heck, it's usually filmed out of order. Does that fact make it any less suspenseful to the viewers later on down the road?
- True, there are some writers who can do it. They are the exception, and most of them are experienced writers with published novels under their belt. And most of those admit that they do the plotting and planning in their head and have a vague idea of where they're going, at least subconsciously.
- It's hard enough to get published, why add another hurdle by trying to write by the seat of your pants? Most often it ends in the writer bogging down and never finishing the project.
- Note: With flash fiction and short stories, it is easier to succeed without planning ahead and simply running with an idea, but it is still a good idea to have an idea where to start, where you're going with the story, and the ending--even if it changes by the time you get there.
A good crit group is worth its weight in gold. Note, I said 'good'.
- A crit group can provide support and market information.
- It can provide feedback and insight, and over time will improve a writer's work.
- Readers can do the same, but readers who are writers are often more articulate in the nuances and can offer concrete suggestions. That doesn't mean a good pool of readers of a piece in its first/second draft are not important.
- See my article on Crit Groups: Five Considerations Before Joining a Crit Group
Have a Thick Skin.
- The honest and sincere opinions of readers, crit partners, editors and especially rejections all can tear down a writer's confidence.
- It's a brutally tough and highly competitive business.
- Maybe you'll succeed the first time out...maybe you'll succeed every time out...maybe you'll win the lottery too.
- Hang tough, evaluate input provided and move forward.
Don't be offended if family and friends promise to read your work, but don't.
- They care about you, but nobody cares about your work as much as you do--not your mother, wife, crit partner, or even editor.
- Experience suggests that half the folks who volunteer or say they will read a near final draft of your novel before submission will actually follow through. And of those who do respond, many will not provide more than vaguely useful input.
- I'd suggest providing readers with a list of questions, if not a questionnaire to help them (contact me if you want a copy of my form). Tell the readers they don't have to use it, but most will at least use it as a springboard.
Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, word usage and common writing conventions (such as tense and point of view) are important to every writer.
- Having great ideas is not enough.
- These skills/tools are important if a writer wants to see their work in print.
- If one lacks the knowledge, while difficult, it is not impossible to learn.
- Don't expect editors to clean up a manuscript--they have too many other duties and submissions with potential to spend time on one that, while intriguing, lacks proper grammar and conventions.
- Paying an editor to clean up a manuscript, I believe is wasted money. If nothing else, spend the money on coursework or a tutor to get you up to speed. It'll pay off in the long run.
- Check out my article on this topic: Never Learned Grammar?