Writer block

Discussion in 'Authors' Hangout' started by ACE THE GOON, Mar 12, 2021.

  1. ACE THE GOON

    ACE THE GOON Really Really Experienced

    I’ve had chapters in the works for months most of them super long, what are some good ways to overcome writer block, because I have the draft but bounce onto something new, leaving undone chapters to be finished one chapter Took me three months although I’m proud of it I’m been working on a super long chapter for months now and I want finish it but can’t get past my writer block, ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY Appreciate
     
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  2. chris_brown

    chris_brown Really Experienced

    What are you currently stuck with in your chapter maybe I can help
     
  3. gene.sis

    gene.sis CHYOA Guru

    Maybe you can break down the chapter into smaller chapters and publish the first of them.

    Getting some likes might boost motivation, so it might be easier to get inspired.
     
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  4. Zeebop

    Zeebop CHYOA Guru

    Switch to something else and come back to it is what I usually do. If you have an idea for what you want to happen, write up an outline or a synopsis, see if you can break it down into chunks. Go and do something else and write a chunk, go and do something else and write a chunk, try to nibble away at it.
     
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  5. insertnamehere

    insertnamehere Really Really Experienced

    Indeed, if a chapter is "super long" and "takes months to finish" then it's almost certainly too long. On a screen, smaller chunks of text are easier on the eyes compared to paper. Also, the vast majority of online readers have very short attention spans, and this is only exacerbated by the fact that few come to CHYOA to simply read, if you know what I mean. Chapters longer than perhaps one or two thousand words (depending on context) are simply not worth the effort.
     
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  6. ACE THE GOON

    ACE THE GOON Really Really Experienced

    Yes I’ve broke it down it’s almost the final chapter so I’ll grind through it slowly thanks for the advice
     
  7. Jaegarblk

    Jaegarblk Experienced

    As someone who has literally read War and Peace for fun, I strongly agree with this. My reading habits on CHOYA are very different to offline.

    Incidentally breaking up Chapters is also useful as a writing excercise and thinking what other things could happen or choices be made at the breaks. I find inspiration hits just by doing this. You don't actually have to add new branches. Often what happens is that I change the original Chapter.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2021
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