Cure For Writer's Block: Works Every Time

Hi everyone! Welcome to the first post of Behind The Krown with Krown Picture Books. In this series I'll be walking through the steps of how I published Princess Pretend and The Not Knight (including everything from developing a story to graphic illustration to typography). So, if you're interested, stick around because we've got a lot to cover. Now if I'm being totally honest this is not my first time blogging-I've tried blogging several times unsuccessfully, but you know what the say, the fifth time's the charm.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert by any means, I'm just trying to share my experiences with others to try and make this whole process even a little bit easier

Now if you're reading this, you're could be dealing with the intense frustration and melancholy that comes with "Writer's Block" but you don't have to worry because you're in good company. Every writer I've ever met (and lots I haven't) have had "writer's block" at some point. Of course, I'm included in this too so I know the feeling pretty well and it's something like this. You've been writing right? And you have this awesome story (or maybe idea) but then suddenly it's like the words just stop coming and no matter how hard you try, you have absolutely no idea what to write. The paper sits in front of you blank and/or unmoving. In your panic you do some or all of the following:

• Cry

• Try to find a muse by staring at the wall

• Mope

• Stress that your entire writing career is over and you'll never have a good idea again

• Scour the internet for a cure (Eh?)

Raise your hand if you've attempted any of these. Trust me, I've got both hands up. But here's the thing, none of those activities will help "cure" you because there's one crucial thing missing from all of them, writing.

Now I know what you're thinking "How can the cure for writer's block be writing? It literally means I can't write." Okay yeah, you're right, but bear with me.

When I first started writing Princess Pretend and The Not Knight, (back when it was just Princess Pretend) I only had half the story. I knew I wanted to have a little girl attempting different princess tropes "unsuccessfully" but I didn't know what should come after that. I had a serious case of writer's block. So, I stopped writing it and moved onto another story. I quit.

That is exactly what you shouldn't do.

A few months later, I stumbled across the Princess Pretend again and decided to give it another chance. Thankfully, I made myself finish the story, albeit was a much different story back then. In fact, that version was so different than it is today, it would be unrecognizable if it weren't for a beginning line or two.

The takeaway from this story? Writer's block is dangerous. It can kill an idea before it ever really sees the sun and that's a terrible thing to imagine. So, how can you overcome this? By definition, writer's block is the inability think of what to write. Therefore the only way to cure it would be to you know...write. Right?

Now, I would argue that the majority of writer's block cases stem from people getting so freaked out when the words/ideas don't come at the same pace as before that the psych themselves out and tell themselves they can no longer write, to the point that they convince their brain this is true, even when it's not. And when your mind believes that no good can come from it anymore, it's no surprise when nothing comes.

So here's a quick exercise you can feel free to try that should help "cure" your writer's block. Write this sentence down.

The beluga whale was the newest circus star.

Now, change "the beluga whale" to "Liam", "was" to "is" and "the newest circus star" to "five years old today." You should have something like this.

The beluga whale was the newest circus star.

Liam is five years old today.

Now there were two points to this. 1. Even when you have writer's block you can still write something

2. No matter what you write, you can always edit it into something else Isn't that amazing!

So let's review. How do you overcome writer's block? It's simple, you write. You write even if you have to force it out, even if when the words come out, they're the biggest pile of word vomit known to humankind. And at some point when you're writing-after you've regained your muse, you'll look back and see something you can work with.

I hope this helps! Thanks for reading! Make sure to check back Wednesday for a break down of Traditional vs. Indie vs. Self Publishing!

Have you tried this method? Got another tip? Leave a comment down below!