Ways to Kill Writer's Block: Have a Plan.

Ways To Kill Writer's Block: Have a Plan.
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What is Your Plan? Having a plan, is like having a map. Or rather, not having a plan, is like trying to drive somewhere you have never been before and have no idea how to get there, and get there on time with out a map or any sort of directions at all. So next time you feel like you have writer's blockm ask yourself these questions and see what happens:
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Do you have a writing plan? If so, what's in it? If not, why? When did you write it? When did you last look at it? Is it still up to date? Do you need to make changes and revisions to it? If not, why?

Do you have target dates attached to the goals inside your plan? When does this story/article/piece of writing need to be finished? How many words per day do you have to write in order to get it done in time?

Did you write up an outline of your goals? Do you know how many chapters/pages/article you have to write this week/month/year? Do you know when each one needs to be written? Are the deadlines clearly marked?

Are there projects you take on that you wish you didn't have to write at all? Maybe that's a large part of your problem. Writing should be fun. Writing should be something that you enjoy. Writing should never become a chore. When writing becomes a chore it is time for you to step away and rethink why you are writing to begin with. Try to remember why it is that you started writing to begin with and than look and see if you can't find what it was that caused you to go astray from that path. Finding your way back to your roots, can do wonders to boost a stale writing career.

When you get busy with a lot of doing things, do you ever ask yourself, "How does this project fit inside the plan for my writing life?" If a project is contrary wise to you plans and goals, you should farther ask yourself if it is really worth your time to bother writing it at all?

If you had your choice (and you do) what projects and types of writing would you focus on? Who are you and what do you REALLY want to write? Fiction? Non-Fiction? Short stories? Novels? Articles? Chick-Lit? Horror? Poetry? Literary fiction? Editorials for the local newspaper? Book reviews, movie reviews, or resturaunt reviews? A new translation of the Bible? A play based on your favorite novel? The next big screen movie? Are you the dark and torment reincarnation of Edgar Alan Poe forced to walk these dreary streets of the modern world in vain attempt to finish writing all those unwritten poems?

Have you set aside time for writing? Most writers forget they have to do this. We writers are a scatter brained lot and do need to be reminded that it's important to set aside a clear and specific time hen which we are to do nothing but type or fingers blue, like it or not.

How are you doing with the word "NO"? In other words, are you too much of a YesMan, saying yes to absolutely every writing offer that comes your way, even those that make you wish you could flush them down the toilet instead?

Have you determined how many words you will write each day? Each week? Each month? Each year? Each hour? Each minute? Yes? No? Why?

What well you do to ensure that you reach your goal? Bribery works wonders for some writers. Are you one of those writers? How well you reward yourself for reaching your goal? Are you sadistic enough to punish yourself for not reaching those goals?

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This article was originally published in April 2007, under the title "Need to Kill Writer's Block? Kill a Character..." is copyright to Wendy C. Allen and The Twighlight Manor Press, and is reprinted here on ACwith permission.