Don’t let writing molehills become mountains: solve those microblocks and miniglitches!
by Ruth Harris
We’re not talking about soul-shredding writers’ block here or the kind of mega mess that requires major revision. Or professional editorial help. Or even a trip to the trash.
Instead, I’m talking about the no-big-deal, pesky little hold ups and hang ups writers regularly confront. Regularly meaning, like, you know, just about all the damn time! 🙂
These little glitches get in our way, slow us down, frustrate us, and interfere with productivity. Just what we don’t want.
The Culprits Include:
- Ugly, clumpy, cloddish sentences.
- The search for the perfect word, the one you know—but also know you overuse to the far end of tedium. Or can’t think of (at least not right now when you need it to get to the next word or sentence.)
- The scene that doesn’t get the job done. You know it’s a problem, but you’re batting your brains out and still can’t figure out what to do about it.
- A character who goes AWOL.
- Or goes rogue.
- A pretty good chapter that needs the extra oomph of a great first (or last) line.
- Dopey, tedious dialogue: boring-but-necessary-for plot reasons.
- The unexpected hitch you can’t quite define, much less correct.
You know something’s wrong. You know you’ve gone off track. Somehow. Somewhere.
You know that something else is needed, but the question is: what? And how do I fix it and get going again?
Here are 32 Mini-rescues for Microblocks and Miniglitches.
- Writing on your computer? Pick up a pen and pad and continue by hand.
- If you’re writing on your computer, print out the chapter/scene/paragraph that’s not working. Often seeing the words in print will lead you to the solution.
- Send your manuscript/chapter/scene to your ebook reader. Reading your book (or seeing a troublesome chapter or even paragraph) on a different screen or in another font can get you through.
- Sleep. Seriously, a second (or third) look at that annoying glitch the next morning will often let you see where you’ve tripped yourself up. How do I know? Happened to me this week.
- Naps are good, too. 🙂
- Somewhere in the middle of your book sand gets in your gears? Go back a chapter or two (or more) to find out where you got in your own way. Too much info? Or too little? Too soon? Not soon enough? The right scene in the wrong place (or vice versa)? A lapse in logic? In this case, analysis does not lead to paralysis, but to a solution.
- First sentence needs an upgrade? Ruth lays out the possibilities of the great first sentencewith examples from Sylvia Plath to James Ellroy.
- Last sentence falls flat? Jessica Bell gives instructions (with examples) on how to write chapter endingsthat sizzle.
- “Look Inside” a turn-off instead of a turn-on? Anne tells how to write a first chapter: https://annerallen.com/2016/06/first-chapter-blues-tips-fixes/
- Ruth chimes in, too: https://annerallen.com/2016/06/first-chapter-blues-tips-fixes/
***
- Have a cup of coffee. Or tea. A glass of wine. (Or champagne?) Anything that breaks the thought patterns that have you going around in circles only to find yourself back where you began can help.
- Go for a walk. IME a body in motion = a mind in motion.
- Head for the gym. Ditto.
- Call a friend. Chat, gossip, laugh. Distraction can help.
- Call another writer and hash out the issue: what’s “impossible” for one can be a snap for another.
- Do the laundry. Yeah, I know. What a drag. Still anything that gets you away from your desk might give you just the time and distance you need for a fresh look. Light activities like cooking, walking the dog, and weed pulling also qualify because when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy forming new neural connections that connect ideas and solve problems. Neuroscience explains why boredom leads to brilliance.
- Take a shower. Not because you need one. But because: How many writers have you heard say they get their best ideas you-know-where?
- Turn the good guy or gal into the bad/devious/murderous guy or gal. For some tantalizing ideas, see Anne’s post about personality disorders.
- Change a character’s name. Renaming the menacing tattooed gang member, Spike, to the professorial, somewhat prissy Percival might just give you the jolt you need. Easy to do on a computer and, if you don’t like your change or it doesn’t work, quick enough to change back or try again with a second or third attempt. Keep going until you come up with name that suits the character you have in mind.
- Extra tip: Baby name sites are a gold mine for writers in search of the “perfect name.”
***
- Extra extra tip: Keep a list of names you like. A name in a newspaper article, a movie, another book. First names or last. Boys or girls or gender undetermined. I keep a list of names that have caught my fancy in Evernote to refer to when in need.
- Speaking of which: Cormoran Strike, Leonora Quine, Lula Landry, Daniel Chard, “Digger” Malley—JK Rowling comments on the importance of character names.
- Perform a sex change. What happens if you change Mousy Melanie to Macho Mike? Or vice versa? Worked for me in our thriller, Brainwashed. The male senator who stopped me cold, became a fantastic dynamo when I turned him into her but kept the same take-no-prisoners attitude, foul mouth, stinky cigars, slobby clothes plus multiple marriages and divorces. Took me days to come up with this fix but now I always consider the possibility of a sex change when a character is giving me a hard time.
- Ask yourself what’s stopping you? Are you boring yourself? Don’t laugh. It happens. Upgrade your tools—words. See Kathy Steinemann’s suggestions for inspiration.
- Check your thesaurus.
- Consult wordhippo for synonyms, antonyms, rhymes and so much more.
- Turn a long, overly complicated sentence into two (or three) short sentences to up the pace and get things moving again.
- Or vice versa: combine two (or more) short, choppy sentences into a single smoother more expressive/descriptive sentence.
- Break up lengthy dialogue blocks into shorter exchanges. The characters will interact longer and in greater depth, the scene will pick up energy.
***
- Play with paragraphing. Long paragraphs tend to slow down the pace. Short paragraphs will speed up the pace. A single, short sentence (or even a one word paragraph) can change the way a scene reads and might be all you need to get going again.
- Turn dialogue that doesn’t work—too long, too talky, wandering, boring, banal—into indirect dialogue. See Anne’s post on indirect dialogue for specifics.
- Scene or chapter doesn’t get you where you want to go? Write a quick outline (or list) of what must happen in what order to get an off-track scene back on track. A reverse outline can come in handy here
***
Bottom line: Don’t make mountains out of molehills.
Let molehills be molehills. 🙂
by Ruth Harris (@RuthHarrisBooks) Sept 30, 2018
What about you, scriveners? Do you face these microblocks and miniglitches? Do you tend to think all is lost when your WIP feels clunky and wooden and irredeemable? Have you tried any of these solutions when your writing day is feeling like a slog? Have any tips you’d like to add?
This week Anne is talking poisons again on her book blog. Did you know that nicotine poisoning has skyrocketed in the days of vaping? You can buy a lethal dose for only $10!
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Now only $2.99!
With a plot that hurtles forward at electric speed, BRAINWASHED takes place on the beautiful islands of the Caribbean, in Damascus and Ireland, the Philippines, Canada, Washington, DC–and in an underground torture chamber located on Victor Ressid’s secluded private estate.
“BRAINWASHED delivers the goods: thrills, gut-churning suspense, nightmarish terror. Ruth and Michael Harris have delivered another great read and sure bestseller. I dare you to put it down!” –Bob Mayer, former Green Beret and million-copy bestselling author of AREA 51
Thanks, Ruth. I enjoyed your touches of humor on this non-humorous topic.
Re #17: I’d add “Make sure you have a supply of sticky notes sitting on the bathroom counter so that you can record your brilliant ideas before they disappear.”
Has anyone invented a slate that could be used in the shower? Maybe someone who reads this should .
Duh–a diver’s slate would work. As a former assistant scuba instructor, I should have thought of that.
Kathy—Yup. Notebooks everywhere! Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, dining table, porch, car, etc, etc. And, thanks to you, a diver’s slate in the shower! Bravo!
Laff! Love your last line: let molehills be molehills. I must remember that for my own good. Thanks for this post, Ruth!
Melanie—Perspective! It’s all about perspective. Problem is, when you’re in the middle of a snag, perspective is HARD. We need to figure out ways that work to help us get back on track—and stay there.
Now that’s a great list! I find exercise – walking or going to the gym – clears my mind. And certainly printing it out helps me see things I can’t see on the screen.
Alex—Thanks! Changing the font can help, too. Did I forget to mention that?
I would add reading the difficult passage out loud and reading the page or paragraph, one line at a time, in reverse order. Anything to shake up the complacent gray cells!
Hyper-Speller—Thanks! Excellent. You’re soooo right about those gray cells.
Come to think of it, you could also have your computer read it out loud to you. (Helps with proof reading, too.)
I have never had my computer read to me. I think I will try that. Thanks.
WOW! This post is a mountain made of molehills (if one considers a molehill a good thing). What a steaming heap of ways to kick oneself in one’s writerly derriere. Thanks.
CS—Molehills are definitely better than mountains! Especially when you have to climb them. 😉
Ruth,
Loved your blog–“32 Min-rescues.” As a newbie, I was not aware of “word hippo.” I am also going to follow up on the ‘great first sentence’ , ‘how to write a first chapter’ and ‘chapter endings.’ I feel like the the proverbial ‘kid in the candy store.’ You (and Anne) are so kind to share your experience with us. Thanks.
Ken Strange
Ken—Thanks so much for the kind words. I hope at least some of the ideas will work well for you. Anne and I share our own mistakes and glitches (minor and major) in an effort to help other writers.
This is an awesome list! Although I find chocolate more helpful than exercise, no idea why :-). My go-to process detailed in some of my how-to books, is to write 1 to 20 down the side of a page, then fill in 20 ways the scene or dialogue could be handled differently. The first few are those we all think of. Then you get silly, writing whatever comes to mind. The last few IME are the real gold. This has never failed me though sometimes it takes way more than 20 options to hit pay dirt.
I think that is a brilliant idea!
valerieparv—I agree completely with Mark. Just brilliant! Will add this to my go-to list when stuck. Love it!
Thanks Mark and Ruth. This always works for me. I find it works better in longhand on paper than on a screen or device.
#1 is one of my faves Anne and Ruth. Switch from digital to shorthand and those words flow more quickly. Fabulous post here.
Ryan—Thanks for the flattering words! I’ve seen research showing that writing by hand makes a different connection with the brain than writing via keyboard. Don’t know how true this is, but IME it does definitely help get past those mini glitches when we’re staring at the screen not knowing what to do next.
Thanks for the great list. Writing longhand has always helped me keep going. I only write on the front page of a spiral notebook. The reverse is for the forgotten bits that get added two days later, plus the fab ideas that come out of nowhere. I’ve also found that when the well is really running dry, simply writing dialogue helps. Write an argument or a love scene but only the speech–nothing about the setting. Voices full of emotion alway get the juices flowing again
Another brilliant idea!
Carmen—Ditto-ing Mark! 🙂 Thanks so much for the brilliant ideas!
Of course, readers may note that my characters are becoming progressively more cranky as the series goes on . . . LOL
I’ve been battling this WIP for awhile. I know where I need to go, but I’m having a rough time there. (Sory of like my town this summer– every road is under construction. But I digress.) I even have a pivotal scene started and outlined but unfinished. I’m going to try some of these ideas and get back to the happy place
Dominique—Hope some of them work for you and get you back on track! Soooo frustrating to know where you need to go but can’t find the path. Unfortunately being lost comes with the territory. 🙁
The good news is that we figure a way out whether through persistence—or just plain stubbornness! 🙂
Along with reading the sticky bits aloud…I call my obliging brother and read it aloud to him…his reactions always get me either defending something or saying ‘oh crap’ before he does. :O)
I also read those bits aloud really fast and see where I trip up — or in a silly voice. Anything to force my mind to see/hear it differently.
Thanks for this list, Ruth, very thorough and all can be applied asap. You and Anne always come up with the practical gems we all need.
hmmmm what about making a list of what is driving us crazy about the scene, story, character, etc? Maybe we secretly hate something and are rebelling with blockades…?
Maria
Maria—Maybe you could loan/rent out your brother? 😉
Love your idea of listing what’s driving us bonkers. Could certainly help us regain focus. Honestly, sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Aaaargh.
Thanks, Ruth — I do the bonkers list ever since I reviewed a make-me-insane chapter and asked of the main character: Why are you so stupid?! You make me crazy! And voila! I heard potential future readers loud and clear… lolol
Carmen—Yay! Let’s hear it for cranky! Cranky can be the spice of life. If you know what I mean. 😉
Great tips! I will slog through the mess. Sometimes I take long, long breaks and come back to it and that helps a lot.
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw—Thanks for the kind words. Thanks, too, for sharing what works for you.
You’re soooo right! Sometimes the slog does the trick. Other times, just walking away for a while is the perfect Rx. We need to keep trying. The break-through is the reward!