How to write like a Pirate, Get readers, and other inspirational crap

Here is a section dedicated to overcoming writer's block. First, I want to make clear that writer's block is a constant battle, and overcoming writer's block consistently is the difference between a person who starts a story and a Storyteller. You will have writer's block, don't beat yourself up over it, just beat writer's block. It's hard and it hurts, but you can do it.

For this, I'm going to assume you read my section on prewriting. Which means one of two things...

A) You have written under 50,000 words.

B) You have written over 50,000 words.

If A) then first ask yourself(assuming you haven't posted anything yet) if you should just drop it and move on with a different idea. Because that might be the best option. If not, read on.

If B) then you probably have more than a good chunk of your story worked out and are having issues getting from event 12 to event 15. And you have been posting some of your chapters a day at a time which means you have some time to work it out.

Okay, if A) it's okay to drop, and maybe come back later. If B) I have some important words before we move on.

You are going to get writer's block, it is a part of the process and one you'll have to come up with your own way of getting over. You should know that it's a part of the "blood, sweat, and tears" part of the process. You might and probably will hit writer's block many times before you finish a story. That's okay. It happens.

Hitting a bump in the road is fine, you're fine. Giving up on something you love because of a bump in the road is not fine.

So here are some tips. But read more chapters for more tips in context.

If you've hit writer's block, it may be because you don't know your characters well enough. Your protagonist should have wants, faults, strengths, weaknesses, and obstacles. But they should also have a whole character sheet of backstory that never makes it into the story. Develop them off camera.

Look up some character Profiles.

Here are some questions for your characters to ask and answer...

Name. Birthdate. Height. Weight. Build. Hair Color. Hair Style. Eye Color. Complexion. Birthplace. Where did you grow up? Describe your Childhood? Describe your home growing up. Education history. Father's name and profession. Father's background. Father's disposition. Mother's name and profession. Mother's maiden name. Mother's disposition. Sibling's names and information. Your marital status. Partner information. Satisfied with present relationship. How did last relationship end? If not involved. Would you like to be...? With whom? And why? Do you have children? Natural or adopted? How many? Their info. Who are you closet friends and why? Who are your enemies and why? What conflicts among your outside relationships concern you the most? Favorite food? Do you cook? Music you like. Movies/tv shows. Do you like to read? If so, what? Are you fit? Sports and exercises you enjoy. How often do you engage in these activities? Drinker? Smoker? Brands and Frequency. Medical conditions. Medications you use frequently and why. Do you worry a lot? About what? What are you afraid of? Why? Religious orientation. Why and for how long? Financial class, profession, salary. Work history info. Present address and description. How do you get around? Have you committed a crime? Arrested? When? Describe. Political affiliation, why? Basic ideology/beliefs. Clubs and organizations you're in. Hobbies and special interests. Do you lead or follow? In what areas? Practical or Dreamer? Why? What is your greatest achievement? Details. Unfulfilled ambitions or dreams. Talents. What is your nickname? Why? Personal slang/catchphrase you use. Other quirks and habits.

You may also want to try to write them in a short story in an event that may not take place in the story just to flesh out parts of the character you didn't think about before.

Also if you have 50,000 words and you've been posting, you have time to take a break, write a different or new story for a while. Get the creative itch out, it may be what you need and then take a fresh look at your story later.

This is what I do. I have so many ideas. They just come to me. sometimes they'll come at me while I'm just surfing the internet or while I'm driving. Sometimes I just want to write about my adventure with a character I like or how I might write someone else's story with my own spin or how I'd put my character in someone else's world.

There are many ways to overcome writer's block. Ever heard of "Freewriting"? It is where you literally sit down (Sometimes it's timed) and write whatever you are thinking about. Just let your pen go wild on the page.

Practice things you aren't good at... always. You'll never get better if you don't practice.

Are you bad are fight scenes? Dialogue? Descriptions? Go through and practice. Pick a scene and expound, pick a character and grow them, write a character's entire life story from start to finish, take a page or ten. Create limitations and push yourself. overcome your limits. I may add a list to this part later but for now I'll move on, I have more things to talk about. Some of which may also help you so read on.