On Writing : Writer’s Block by Amanda Toney

I just wait it out.

Hi Amanda Toney I haven’t really hit writer’s block so far, but I truly believe a fresh mind is everything when it comes to finding original ideas—and actually enjoying the process of writing them. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away completely, not even try to force it, and just give yourself space to reset.

For me, that usually means grabbing my camera, wandering around, or checking out an exhibition. It helps me reconnect with that creative spark. But everyone has their own way of recharging—that’s the key. Ciao

Hello Amanda Toney

I hope you’re having a great week.

I experience a lot of writer’s block while writing The Silent PFC War. There is always something that feels missing, so I have to return to my cards and structure, reread everything, and think carefully about how to solve it.

Amanda, when I feel resistance in the writing, I often step away from the page and do something completely different — cooking, spending time with friends, or engaging in something tactile and grounded.

I’ve found that distance often allows the subconscious to keep working quietly in the background. When I return, the problem is sometimes less about “finding” the scene and more about recognizing what the story was already trying to tell me.

The pause becomes part of the process rather than an interruption to it.

ROAD TRIPS. One of my favorite writer's block drives is the 395 North from Hesperia to Bishop.

One way: a long walk to another writing location.

I always try and start with a very good breakdown of the action in the film. I then go and add an action between each action. i keep doing this until i have a (normally too) detailed breakdown of the script. this gives me something to fall back on.

then if I get a block i just go back to that, find the nearest point and write the next action even if it’s something simple or small.

or

just I just

write a complete brain dump even if I know it rubbish until I get back into a comfortable place in the story. you can always go back and fix it.

Throw away what doesn’t work and keep writing.

Michael Dzurak: Certified workaholic : )

Move ahead to another section of your screenplay or a new project and keep writing. Always keep writing!

Get on with something else and soon inspiration strikes again, then I return to the writing or penning development notes. The 'something else' could be recreational like a walk, or rest like a nap, and could even be chores or other work.

Amanda Toney I like to joke that I can't afford Writer's Block. But one of my favorite tricks is to never end a writing session at the end of a scene/section. Instead, I like to leave the next part dangling there, unfinished. That tends to make my right brain kick my left brain and get the juices flowing again.

I realized that I need to write only from a state of inspiration. When the text flows by itself, as if someone has turned on a tap. When the tap closes, it means it’s time for a break, for insights. I usually just switch to other hobbies that fill me with joy. And after a proper rest, ideas flow like a river again.

Amanda Toney I’ve started to look at writer’s block less as “being stuck” and more as a signal that something isn’t working yet usually at the character or emotional level.

When that happens, I step away from forcing pages and go back to the core of the story what the character really wants, what they’re avoiding, and what’s at stake. Once that becomes clear again, the writing tends to move.

Sometimes I’ll also switch the approach write a scene out of order, journal in the character’s voice, or even just talk the scene out loud. That usually helps unlock something.

And honestly, consistency matters more than waiting for inspiration. Even if it’s messy, staying in the habit keeps the connection with the story alive.

If I'm really stuck I go outside and walk my property. My "block" is usually over one small obstacle. I walk the property until an answer comes. I've logged many miles.

I end up doing the important work-- cleaning, dancing, sometimes watching a movie or going out with friends. Putting my mind into a different source- a creative filling thing helps a lot to not just work out the issues- but to get me pumped to go back to writing

Alena Karamazova I relate to that feeling of flow it’s one of the best parts of writing when it happens.

At the same time, I’ve found that if I rely only on inspiration, I tend to lose momentum. For me, it’s more about staying with the work even when the “tap” isn’t fully open, because sometimes the clarity comes through the process rather than before it.

Taking breaks definitely helps, but I try to balance that with consistency—so it’s not just inspiration leading the work, but also discipline supporting it.

Abhijeet Aade Yes, of course! You choose discipline and that's good. Your life, your rules. I am of a different kind and do not chase quick results. This is my favorite hobby, not the meaning of life. I simply enjoy processes out of a sense of "I want," not "I have to"! And that, too, is good! Because everything suits me. Have a wonderful mood!

I do not force it at all... I know the story will come to me, and if I force it, I most likely write something I despise. I know some people say "write badly, don't worry, fix it in edit"... but that to me is worse and more often than not -- I put the project on the back burner for months because I hate it, hahah!

I guess it's a good thing I'm writing my slate my way right now whilst seeking representation. By the time I eventually get an agent, it'll all be written to my bare minimum, if not better.

(And yes, I am my own worst critic!!!)

By having something worse to do.

Really. In my experience, writers will do anything to get out of writing. All of a sudden that yard work seems urgent. And cleaning the toilets! And the litter box! And, and-

The great author Edna Ferber summed it up best. "I hate writing. I love having written."

I either turn towards my keyboard and play some tunes or take a walk. That always cures it Amanda Toney.

Amanda Toney : Taking a step back, changing environment, or doing some fun activities(this most times sparks creativity)

Amanda Toney - I've never experienced it personally, for my music or books, (maybe back in school when I had to write things I didn't want to write? haha). I think that's because I don't force the creation. Inspiration strikes me, and I run with it. Or, if I've simply set the time aside to write, I go with the flow. Should something not be flowing, I go do something else until it is.

TAlena Karamazova hat’s a great way to look at it, honestly.

I think that sense of “I want” is what keeps the process alive in the long run. Even with discipline, if that feeling disappears, the work starts to lose something.

For me, I’m trying to find a balance between both staying consistent, but still enjoying the process and why I started in the first place.

Hope you keep enjoying it your way too

I just spend 4 days with no internet in western Queensland. At 1am I walked outside my tent to see the horizon divide the red dust from the stars. A reset that fuelled my soul and fed my imagination. Thank you Mother Nature - I'll be sure to thank you in a speech one day!