What’s the simplest solution?
This is the question that moves me forward when I get stuck. I’m not sure why it helps. Maybe it’s what my friend and writing mentor Susan Graham calls “making a decision.” Friends are a gift.
With this question, I move forward with the information I’ve already got. Information gathering stops. I try something out.
Do you have a question that helps you move forward when you get stuck? Share it in the comments below.
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I love this advice. That’s just what I did this summer when stuck on my current WIP. For some reason, first person felt like the easiest way forward, so I’m going with that. I feel a little like I’m cheating (isn’t writing supposed to be hard?), but I figure as long as I’m getting words on the page, I should just keep going.
Yes, keep getting words by all means! So glad to know that someone else does the same thing. Thanks for dropping by, Kate!
Laurel, can you share an example of this from your writing? You can change the info to keep it private – just wondering what this might look like.
Susan, Your question surprised me because I’m sure you’ve even helped me find the “simplest” answer more than once. 🙂 There was an example in The Wounded Book about why Mamma went to Constantinople and what Bella knew about it. In an earlier version, Bella didn’t know why. You suggested that Mamma tell Bella why she was going. Voila–simplest solution! Seems so obviously superior after the fact, but I made myself miserable beforehand trying to figure out how to write it. Now I’m curious–doesn’t this happen this way to you? Do you have a different way of “cutting to the chase?”