Tara Thomas | Top Five Ways To Beat Writer's Block
GIVEAWAY: be the first with Tara's new series!
February 9, 2018
Those who know me, know I am not a plotter. Not even just a little. I have some
hardcore plotter friends and I'm always impressed with their color coded
documents and the ease with which they fill out those conflict worksheets. And
though there's a part of me who will always wonder, "But how do you
know that happens in Chapter Six?" I'm always a tad bit jealous of my
plotting peers. I promise, I've tried to plot. I've been to classes, listened to talks, and even
fill out a document or two. But I eventually accepted I will always be a
pantster who flies by the seat of my pants. I love writing this way. It's what
allows the magic to happen. And it's comfortable for me. However, I've found
that when you don't plan out what happens next, sometimes you don't know what
happens next, and you find yourself staring at a blank sheet of paper, willing
the words to appear onscreen. Because I've yet have words suddenly appear on my screen, here's what I do when
that happens.
- Skip to the next scene
Or at least to the next scene where you know something happens. It's okay to
skip a part and come back. I promise, I do it all the time, but sometimes when I
mention it, people look at me like I've totally lost it. Seriously, put [finish
later] or [really good stuff happens here] and move on.
- Skip to the end
Crazy, right? Well, maybe not so much. It's like eating dessert first. There's
something very decisive in saying, "I don't know what's happening now, but I
know when it's all said and done, it's going to end like this." And oftentimes,
all you need to be is a little decisive to get the words flowing again.
- Rewrite the scene you're in
But do it a different way. Tell it from the POV of another character. They just
might have a secret or two they're hiding that will end being the exact thing
you were looking for. I've had fantastical things happen when I do this. Scenes
go from So Boring I Don't Want To Read to Smokin' hot, just by changing the POV
character.
- Talk it out
Brainstorm with your crit partner. Pick your editor's brain. Or be like me when
I was writing BROKEN
PROMISE. Go up to your spouse and say, "Tell me all about this mitochondrial
DNA.
- Take a shower
You laugh, but this works Every. Single. Time.What do you do to combat writer's block?
Sons of Broad
#1
In this first novel in the explosive, brand-new romantic
suspense Sons of Broad series from Tara Thomas comes a novel
of deadly secrets and hidden danger. In the sultry streets
of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful,
take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a
merciless enemy is out to destroy them…and everyone they
hold close… SHE THOUGHT SHE’D LOST HIM
FOREVER Tilly Brock has learned—the hard way—how to
take care of herself. Once a pillar of Charleston society,
her family lost everything in the wake of a shocking
scandal. And then Tilly lost the only boy she ever
loved. BUT NOW THAT HE’S BACK IN HER
LIFE Keaton Benedict is Charleston’s most notorious
bachelor. But in spite of all his advantages—the money, the
women, the family name—he longs for more: the heart of the
young woman he still can’t forget. THE DANGER HAS
JUST BEGUN… When Keaton re-enters Tilly’s life, after
all these years, she is torn between feelings of doubt and
desire. Can they put the past behind them and learn to love
again? Tilly is willing to try. But Keaton is afraid that a
vengeful enemy is watching—and waiting to destroy them. Can
the rekindled flame of their love defeat the deadliest rival
and light their way forward in the darkest night?
Thriller | Romance Suspense
[St. Martin's Paperbacks, On Sale: February 27,
2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250138002 / eISBN: 9781250138019]
Tara Thomas’s love of books and writing started as a child and though
she wanted to be an author, she decided a degree in science was more practical.
After fifteen years in the pharmaceutical industry, she returned to her first
love and hasn’t looked back since. She writes erotic romance as Tara Sue
Me. Her Submissive Series novels have been on both the New York
Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. Her novel THE MASTER earned a
starred review from Publishers Weekly and was awarded Best Romance of
2016 from Best Book Awards.
What would you do for writer's block? Or any other kind of blockage in your life (not house or you know, plumbing) Tell us below and you could win the first book in the series! WOO HOO!
Comments
15 comments posted.
Re: Tara Thomas | Top Five Ways To Beat Writer's Block
"What do you do to combat writer's block?" I write a bit every day--maybe I don't put aside a few hours in the morning to work, like a lot of professional writers do, but I try to set down my occasional brilliant thoughts, and over time it builds up! (John Smith 10:15pm February 9, 2018)
I take a long walk. Usually in the woods, or along some type of path. In the park etc... It really clears my mind. (Llnda Farabaugh 8:28am February 10, 2018)
I walk in the sunshine and this gives me great pleasure and energizes me. (Sharon Berger 12:33pm February 10, 2018)
Get outside for a bit-walk or garden or just breathe. Your list, too! (Kathleen Bylsma 4:31pm February 10, 2018)
I am not a writer but I imagine that what would work for me is to do something familiar that does not require mental focus and then to let my thoughts run free on the subject. It would get me away from the daunting blank page/screen while I gathered my thoughts. (G. Bisbjerg 9:16pm February 10, 2018)
I go to the gym. (Racquelle Robinson 3:04pm February 11, 2018)
Not a writer, well I do write reviews, but if I am stuck I usually walk away. Do something else, probably something I should have been doing anyway. After awhile I find the word, phrase or sentence I had trouble finding just pops into my head. (Annetta Sweetko 7:22pm February 11, 2018)
I would to to LA Fitness (which I am a member) and run on the treadmill (Shirley Younger 8:06pm February 11, 2018)
Not being a writer I can only say what I do to decompress I watch trash tv like reality shows. (MaryEllen Hanneman 12:09pm February 12, 2018)
Meditate. (Catherine Wolverton 4:50pm February 12, 2018)
I watch TV or read a book (Shelly Garnett 11:40pm February 12, 2018)
Go for a drive or a walk. (Melanie Rosen 6:17am February 13, 2018)
Yoga, it's easy and relaxing. (Rosemary Simm 9:04pm February 13, 2018)
Go for a walk with my dog. (Jackie Wisherd 11:20pm February 13, 2018)
I would probably watch television or go outdoors and find something that needs to be done in my yard. (Anna Speed 12:21pm February 14, 2018)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
|