Feeling blocked? Write a letter

You're bound to experience Writers' Block at some point, it's inevitable, but you don't have to be subservient to it. It doesn't bind you to the ground, unable to pick up a pen. It just means your creative outlets are somewhat lacking. Don't try too hard to write on your current project while you're feeling blocked because the outcome will be forced, crappy writing which just doesn't flow.

Sit back. Relax. Pick up a familiar pen and a favourite notebook (or a keyboard for you technological types) and write a letter. Maybe it's to yourself as the author, or to one of your characters. You never know what you might find through addressing your characters directly. You may even discover a new voice, or perhaps the solution to a sticky situation. It's like whittling down the possibilities: try writing a letter and while it may not work for you, you're one step closer to finding a way to relieve this pain-in-the-arse of a problem. It might just be a confidence issue and in addressing your characters, you overcome your fear of writing. I know that that's often the problem with me. Push past those barriers. Voice your feelings to your creations.

Perhaps Jeff the librarian is really hindering your character's progress: tell him. Let it all out in a letter to Jeff, whining to him about how he's screwing things up. You never know, He might just reply.

Lydia