• Home
  • Marketing
  • Publishing
  • Writing
  • Editing
  • Recommended Products
  • Contact
Resources for Independent Authors
  • Home
  • Marketing
  • Publishing
  • Writing
  • Editing
  • Recommended Products
  • Contact
Home  /  Writing  /  Writer’s Block and Survivor Skills
Writing

Writer’s Block and Survivor Skills

By Kathy Gaudry

writer's block, kathy gaudryWriter’s block. These are days that all writers have had. These are the days when the words just won’t come, the muse has left, the brain is empty. Survival skills are what you can use to break through the brick wall of writer’s block and begin producing words once again.

My son-in-law introduced me to a TV program that I would probably have never watched except for him. Cameron, an experienced outdoorsman, loves the program Survivorman and so, the other night, we sat and watched it together. The host, Les Stroud, goes to a remote location creating an extreme situation: boat dies in the middle of the ocean, he is stranded on the beach of a remote British Columbia river, his snowmobile is disabled on the Alaskan Arctic tundra—you get the idea. In every episode he has to figure a way to survive until he can get out of the situation. The host sets up cameras and proceeds to teach the audience what to look for and how to use it to their advantage. Really interesting, but I know that I will never be stranded quite like he is weekly. BUT. . .

Simple Advice for Writer’s Block

What can you use, as a writer, from the advice of Les Stroud? His first words: survey what you’ve got. It dawned on me that those are words which can break through writer’s block. Instead of struggling to get more words on a page that honestly are probably going to be garble, step back from your work. Go back to your basics: thesis, brainstorming sheet of ideas, plot or outline, photos, and so on. Let random ideas begin to form again.

One reason you might have writer’s block is because you have departed from your main thesis or plot line. Re-evaluate your direction, but do it from the very beginnings of the project and do it honestly. Look hard and critically at what you have written. You may have to toss some of those hard-earned words, but if that will put you back on track, so be it.

Another reason for writer’s block is that you simply don’t have enough substance on which to base your writings. Did you do enough research and have enough information about your topic? Did you develop the personalities and backgrounds of your characters before you started writing? It is similar to teaching. If you don’t know anything, you don’t have anything to teach. You have to have information upon which you then can base your writings. You need content.

Analyze what is holding you back. If the reason is not readily apparent, go off and do something else. Later, return refreshed and re-analyze. Sometimes, that reason can be right in front of you and you can’t see it. Survey what you have.

Writer’s block? Use your survival skills and break that wall down.

Tags: author non-fiction writing writer's block writing
Share on
Previous Article
copyright, Kathy Gaudry
The Copyright Monster in the Room
Next Article
writing, kathy gaudry, business of writing
No Two Alike

About Author

Kathy Gaudry
Kathy Gaudry

Writer, editor, book publisher. Early in my career, I found that I would rather be a kingmaker than a king. Hopefully, my skills and experience will help you to succeed!

Related Posts

  • idea void, kathygaudry.com
    Writing

    Fill Your Idea Void

  • culture-bearer, kathygaudry.com
    Writing

    Culture-Bearer

  • observe, kathy gaudry, resources for independent authors
    Writing

    Observe as a Writer

  • write, kathy Gaudry, resources for independent authors
    Writing

    To Not Write is Not Right

  • Word Count
    Featured, Publishing, Writing

    Word Count to Book Pages

  • writing your book
    Writing

    Writing Your Book

Recent Posts

  • Fill Your Idea Void
  • Culture-Bearer
  • Observe as a Writer
  • To Not Write is Not Right
  • Word Count to Book Pages
  • Writing Your Book

Subscribe to Email Updates

Categories

  • Editing
  • Marketing
  • Publishing
  • Writing

About the Author

Kathy Gaudry

Kathy Gaudry

Writer, editor, book publisher. Early in my career, I found that I would rather be a kingmaker than a king. Hopefully, my skills and experience will help you to succeed!

Stay Connected

Subscribe to Email Updates

© Copyright 2019 by Kathy Gaudry, Resources for Independent Authors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Credits