One of the strongest bonds that link us to our favorite stories is the emotional tie, or books that sink a fist right into our guts. When you finished a book where you couldn’t let go of after the last page, chances are, the author successfully punched you in the spleen. If you’ve ever wondered how to do just that, here are some of my favorite methods:
Make your reader root for your main character(s). Make your character stretch out their arm toward their goal, as far as they can to reach, until their fingertips barely brush it. Make your character want something so much that your reader wants it, too.
When your character trips and stumbles and stops to question themselves, the readers will hold their breath.
Push your character to their very limit, and then a little further.
When your character hits the bottom, they should scrape themselves back together and get back up. Give readers a reason to believe in your character.
If your character is challenging your plot, your plot should challenge your character.
Leave a trail of intrigue, of questions, of “what if?” and “what next?”
If a character loses something (a battle, an important memento, part of themselves), they must eventually gain something in equal exchange, whether for good or bad.
Raise the stakes. Then raise them higher.
Don’t feel pressured to kill a character (especially simply to generate emotional appeal). A character death should serve the plot, not the shock factor. Like anything else in your story, only do it if it must be done and there’s no other way around it.
What’s the worst that can happen? Make it happen. Just make sure that the reader never loses hope.
Last week, I was so stuck on my novel. I knew where I wanted to go, but I just couldn’t get the words on the paper. Then, I found these cures.
Here’s some ways to cure writer’s block that work for me, and that you should try out.
1. Create a playlist for your book
This is one of my favorite things to do. It’s almost like a soundtrack for your book. I find it’s easier to visualize what you’re writing when you have something to enhance it. Plus it’s just really fun!
Alternatively, you could go a step further and make playlists for your characters.
2. Make character mood boards
Here’s a mood board I made for one of my characters!
As you can see, it gives you a glimpse into who the character is. This can be really helpful when you’re stuck with writer’s block. By looking closer into your characters, you get a better understanding of the book as a whole.
3. Read a book
Sometimes the best thing you can do is just step away from your book, and reading something else can help generate ideas. If you’re having trouble writing, shut your laptop, pick up a book, and read for 30 minutes. Come back to your book once your done, and see if it cleared your mind.
4.Work on characterization
Sometimes, building your characters is an automatic cure for writer’s block. By making your characters come alive, you create new ideas and it’s easier to imagine your characters in different situations.
If all else fails, just step away from your book. Sometimes you won’t be able to think, and that’s okay! Go easy on yourself. You don’t have to write constantly in order to be a good writer. Take a breather, step away from your book, and come back to it later.
Write when you want to. Write after that long span you’ve forgotten to write. Write out that great idea you had. Any writing is good writing. Love your work, and be proud of your ideas. Write on!
write write write 