Writer's Block Remedies for Plotters

I just endured the worst spell of writer's block I've ever had. And I think I know why it happened.

The conversation on the online writing community sites such as tiktok, twitter, and instagram always seems to organize authors into two different categories: plotters or pantsers, with varying degrees of each. Plotters are those that outline an entire story before writing. Pantsers start a project that they like and see where it ends up.

I knew I was a plotter. Everything in my entire LIFE is plotted. Why I chose to pants just to see if I liked it is beyond me. I should have known better, but I went for it anyway, and I have to say. . . I hated the experience.

Don't get me wrong––I started off strong! 20,000 words (1/3ish) of an exciting time travel romantic comedy flowed from my fingertips, main plots, love interests, and subplots all appearing naturally, as if by my intuition. I'm always intuitive in the writing process, but relying on my intuition fully proved stressful. I was so stuck at that 20,000 word mark that I didn't know how to proceed. Plot points (since they weren't written down) flowed together, becoming jumbled, and I couldn't remember where the story was headed. I found that I had an idea for the climax of the book (80ish %) but I didn't know what happened from 50-75% to get us there. When I tried to write, I felt frustrated, discouraged, and like I had an arduous task ahead of me, instead of the joyous sprints I'd always enjoyed.

I started to feel like I'd lost my knack.

Enter new Christmas WIP [work in progress]. An idea hit me the other night, as inspiration often does, for the swooniest couple––an actor and a nurse––who are stranded due to snow. Each has other dreams they'd like to fulfill, and despite their chemistry, a few things are still keeping them apart. When the nurse discovers an antique that is related to the actor's great grandmother, solving the mystery behind it will bring healing to his family, but also might just open a place in the actor's heart for her.

OH GOSH. This was good! My mind was spinning. I knew all the things that would happen to lead up to that big holiday kiss, just like in a Hallmark movie.

But then. . . I couldn't write it. The leftover angst from pantsing had discouraged me and made me doubt myself.

So, I sat down to plot the whole thing. It wasn't fun. It wasn't exciting. It didn't flow. I thought maybe I'd never be able to write again. Thankfully, my husband talked me through the plot one night, reassuring me that I did in fact know what all needed to happen, and that I **COULD** put it on paper and make it work. (He's the best!) Over the next two days I was able to finalize my plot. I know where it's going, and I'm up to 8,000 words on my new Christmas romance novel. It's flowing and it's so enjoyable––just like I knew it could be!

Here are a few practical remedies for plotters to overcome writer's block, which helped me through this spell:

1. Plot it all first, even if it's hard. If I don't know where a story is going, I can't write.
2. Talk to a trusted beta reader or friend who can help you plot. My husband came in handy for this.
3. Read what you have so far. It's amazing how what you've written can remind you of the story ahead.
4. Calm down and remember that "the gifts and calling of the Lord are irrevocable". If you had it once, you still have it. If you did it once, you can do it again!

Hoping this helps writers in the same situation! Be sure to head over to the "contact" tab and join my newsletter for updates on new blog posts, my book releases, book signings, and more. It's the best way to stay in the loop!

xx
Audrey