Five Ways to Conquer Writer's Block

How many of us are moving right along in our WIP, then suddenly the inspiration stops coming?  You're frustrated and ready to throw your manuscript across the room or out the window, but yet that's impossible, because... well, because no matter how much you hate it at the moment, it's still precious to you and you can't get rid of this story in front of you no matter how much you're convinced it would be good for your mental wellbeing.

So, you've got an unfinished document in front of you that won't leave you alone, yet you can't do anything with.  How to cure this?  Well, everyone has their own way of working through the infamous writer's block, and there's really no 'wrong' way to do it!  I'm here with 5 ideas that I hope will be some help to you.

1. Skip Ahead
I'm pretty sure a lot of people already use this technique, but it's certainly worth mentioning!  Pausing your work in the current scene and skipping ahead to a part that you're super excited to write is a great way to get motivated.  Then, when you're ready to get back to the old scene, it'll be there waiting for you to connect the gap between the two scenes!  Just be careful not to write too many scenes without knowing exactly where to put them.  I've done this, and wouldn't recommend—for me, it made my doc such a mess that it scared me off before I even started writing again.

2. Music
If you simply cannot concentrate on what is going on in your WIP, crank some music (preferably wordless) that will get your creative juices flowing.  Movie soundtracks have some excellent songs for this purpose.  Or, if you're feeling especially derailed from the tracks of writing and need an extra pick-me-up, make a soundtrack for your book, like I mentioned in our post about loving your story again.

3. Pinterest

Once again, this is probably a popular solution, and one that I talked about again during a previous post, but it's well worth repeating!  Whether it's simply to find that one picture that strikes you with creativity, or a story prompt, or creating an entire new storyboard—Pinterest is certainly a source of inspiration!  It's also a place for writers to procrastinate, but hey, anything that works!  If procrastination is the way to get you past writer's block, go for it!  No two writers are exactly alike.

4. Sprint

Now, I don't mean sprint literally, but in the sense which you writers all understand it: write as many words as you can in a set time frame.  Even if the words on the paper all end up deleted later.  Say, you decide to sprint for 10 minutes.  If you get 200 words in those 10 minutes, set your goal for 250 the next sprint.  You'll eventually get to a point where it doesn't even take any effort to continue your story.  The point? Just write.

5. Sprint

No, this is not a misprint.  This time I actually do mean literally.  Do some sort of physical exercise, whether you run for a mile or two or a marathon, or just do a few pushups.  Clean the house.  Wash dishes.  Bake cookies.  Do something, anything to get away from that screen (double points if you write on a healthy piece of physical paper with a pen or pencil and don't need a screen break at all.  That's not me, ha) and get your mind cleared.  Go take a nap if you have to.  What I'm saying is, put it down for an hour or two, or even a day or a week.  Just don't leave it for too long, or you might not want to go back!

Have you tried any of these methods?  Are any of these new to you?  Do you have any of your own ways to conquer writer's block that I haven't mentioned?

Also, don't forget that this coming Wednesday is the deadline for the NaNo challenge, so get your entries in quickly!

NaNo Challenge

We're right in the middle of National Novel Writing Month, the time of the year which every author dreads, yet looks forward to with great anticipation.  So we're here to add a bit more enjoyment to your month with a writing challenge!  This is geared more toward NaNo participators, but it's open to anyone with a work-in-progress! 

How to participate: Don't worry, no extra writing required!  Simply copy/paste a snippet from your current WIP into the form on the contact page.  Make sure it's no longer than approx. 800 words.

Judging: This is a readers' choice contest, so don't send in anything you don't want open to the public.  Everyone will be able to pick their favorite snippet.

Prize: Yes, there will be a prize!  The winner will receive a promotional graphic for their project.

You have until Wednesday, November 21st to send in your writing.

Let the fun begin!

Book Cover Challenge—Part 2

Time for part 2 of our cover challenge!  Thanks again to everyone who participated!

On a side note, I'd like to once more say that these covers will not be used for anything or any books.  However, if you would like to purchase one for our cover price, send us an email and we can work something out!

My Goodbye Summer

Once again, our first cover today is by Jesseca!  I just love the golden sunlight with the silhouette reflecting on the water.  Reminds me so much of summer.  Plus, the accents at the bottom add perfect texture.

Mercy Opens my Eyes

As I made this cover, my brother looked over my shoulder and said, "that doesn't look like eyes."  I think he missed the point.  This was probably one of the hardest covers to create, because the title didn't even give me a plot line to go with.  So after much searching, I found this picture and fell in love with it.  (Yes, it's totally possible for a graphic designer to fall in love with a picture.)

The Mystery of the China Doll

One of the biggest blessings, yet biggest curses, of a graphic designer, is that sometimes we know exactly what we want the cover to look like, and therefore, exactly what picture we want.  Well, in this case, I knew what I wanted—the blessing.  The curse?  Not being able to find the picture I wanted anywhere!  So I had to resort to taking my own picture.  I was actually quite impressed with my photoshop skills.

The October Horse

I actually had the photo for this one stored away in my stash, knowing it was one that I would definitely use someday.  And I couldn't be more thrilled with the way the colors worked with the title!  And we can't forget to admire the fonts, of course.

Sunflower Smiles

As is probably obvious by the design of the website, I love sunflowers.  So when Jesseca told me she would do this one, I was super excited to see what she'd come up with.  I wasn't disappointed!  The colors and fonts came together so nicely, I couldn't help but smile!

Waiting for Percy

This one though... what I had in mind at first was a romantic spin.  But after I created a cover and wasn't happy with it at all, my mind wandered to other aspects.  And when I found this photo, I knew I couldn't pass it up.

When Will the Storm Come?

Ahhh, I just love this one so much!  This is another picture I had stashed away, and as soon as I saw the title, I knew that this was the one I wanted.  Plus, I experimented with a new-to-me photo editing site, and it turned out amazingly.  The fonts just... yes.  So much yes.

Why Me?

Last but not least is another of the hardest ones.  I tried something new with the border, and I think it turned out really well!  The colors of the sky, plus the light filtering through the strands of hair, add an aesthetic feel to the cover.

What do you think?  Did you like these as much as the ones from last week?  Which was your favorite?

Book Cover Challenge—Part 1

Well, we certainly got feedback for our cover challenge!  Sixteen covers to create, actually.  Thanks to all you imaginative minds, I was hard-put to match your creativity.  So, to demonstrate her own graphic design abilities, I invited Jesseca, our formatter, to join in on the challenge!

After looking over the lot of covers, I decided to organize them alphabetically and then split them up into two different posts.  Part two will be posted next week.

All for You

Our first cover was created by Jesseca!  She put a sweet interpretation on the title that I never would've thought of.  It makes me want to step right into the picture and hug the people.

Almost Home

Next is a title that I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but I began looking for pictures, and once I found this photo I knew I wouldn't have to look any further.

The Boy no one Loved

When I created The Boy no one Loved, I couldn't pass up this picture.  The sweet, yet sad, innocence of the little boy drew me in, and I adore this one.

A Candle in the Darkness

Somehow, even thought there's no hint of it in the cover, this reminds me of Christmas.  Maybe it's the memories of candlelight services at church.  I must admit that this wasn't what was in my mind when I saw the title, but I think it's just as good—or better.

The Day the Soldiers Cried

This one low-key breaks my heart.  We can never thank the defenders of our country enough.  Because it's not only them, but those that love them as well, that make the sacrifice.

Follow Me

I was having a difficult time creating an idea in my head... but then it hit me—Jesus!  Many of His friends and disciples were fishermen.  He called them to follow Him, so that He might make them fishers of men.

Grab Your Umbrella

My favorite part of this cover is the fonts.  It adds a playful, almost childish, touch to the entire feel of the picture that matches the title.

I'm Part of the In-Crowd

Last but not least is a cover with a picture so epic that I hardly had to 'doctor' it at all.  A tiny bit of barely-perceptible texture goes a long way!  I also enjoyed experimenting with different fonts.

Did you enjoy seeing the results of the challenge as I enjoyed rising to the challenge?  Did I meet your tastes?  Which is your favorite?

Cover Love

Next week I'll post the results of the cover challenge, but in the meantime, let's enjoy some other creations, shall we?

Even though I sometimes slightly judge bad covers, I do have a healthy respect for well-made covers.  I know that I am far from perfect as a designer, and I hold in great esteem those who can create covers that make you pause and just say, "Wow."  Someday, I hope to be the creator of one.

So today I'll share a few of those covers.  If you love to squeal over—or simply admire—beautiful pieces of art like these, you've come to the right place!
NOTE: I have not read all of these, so I cannot recommend them as books, only covers.

The Accidental Guardian—Mary Connealy

The simplistic beauty of the cover really draws me in—it definitely looks like a book to pet!  The sweet relationship between the man and the little girl that it suggests is endearing, and the border along the top adds just the right touch.

Salt to the Sea—Ruta Septys

Being a novel set in the Word War II era, this cover naturally hints at the darkness of the times.  While complete lowercase letters tend to grate on my nerves, I believe that in this case it adds a perfecting measure.

A Distant Melody—Sarah Sundin

The font isn't overly dramatic, but the simplicity, added to the beautifully and perfectly shaded sky, not to mention the overall historical look, makes me, someone with an aversion to romance, want to read it for myself.

Gunner's Run—Rick Barry

What I appreciate about this cover is that the font is spot-on!  And I love the historical feel that the photos give.  Plus, the plane at the top gives credit to the title.

Fawkes—Nadine Brandes

Last but not least, one of my all-time favorites.  Once again, what I love most about this cover is the fonts.  They seriously tell so much about the book!  And the mask—intrigue and mystery, with the cracks in it hinting that those secrets are about to be revealed.

And there are five amazing covers all worthy of admiration.  Have you read them?  What are your favorite aspects?  What are some of your favorite book covers?

Writing Music

The doc sits in front of you, the empty white canvas inviting you to put down those words that you've ached to let bleed through your fingers.  Hands poised above the keyboard, you prepare to type... and a noice in the background leaks into your senses.  It might be the hum of a refrigerator, or the wail of a child, or simple conversation.  Some people's writing thrives in this type of environment.

Or, if you're like me, yours doesn't.

Sure, you get a few words down at a time, but to be honest, sometimes the story could do without those words.  Maybe a piece of the distance conversation will unconsciously appear in the book, or maybe you're really just typing and not even thinking through what you're saying.

Really, it's much like having a one-sided conversation with your computer.  Or pen and paper—whichever method you prefer.

My personal favorite way to drown out background noise is with wordless music.  I love music anyway, and to use it to get rid of distractions is a win-win!  The best kind of music to listen to while writing is the type of music that you don't even hear after awhile, because it drowns out all other sounds and gets your mind stimulated.  So I'll be sharing some music that I have personally found extremely well-suited for this purpose.

Believe it or not, that music is almost completely made up of movie soundtracks.  If you pay attention in the next movie you watch, you'll notice the music during the movie that you might not have noticed before.  It's the kind of music that adds to the atmosphere and feel of the movie without the viewers even realizing it.  The music is one of the movie's biggest punches. If the film were solely dialogue and sound effects, the movie wouldn't be half as enjoyable, nor would it have the same impact on your feelings.

It follows, then, that when you're listening to music while writing, it will affect your writing.  Listening to intense music during an intense scene will make it come alive in your mind, and conversely, listening to light, bouncy music during a happy scene will have a more real affect on you.  And the bigger affect it has on the writer, the more accurately the scene is written, and the more real the story becomes to the reader.

Here is a list of songs that I recommend. Note: If these are instrumentals to worded songs, I don't necessarily recommend the worded versions.

Chariots of Fire—2CELLOS

Fur Elise—The Browns

Breakpoint—Andy Leftwich

Ants Marching/Ode to Joy—The Piano Guys

Despacito—2CELLOS

Safe & Sound—William Joseph

Cooley's Reel—Craig Duncan

A Greater Love—Andy Leftwich

Clocks—2CELLOS

Celloopa—The Piano Guys

Ashoken Farewell—Craig Duncan

An Angel Forever—Andy Leftwich

Have you heard any of these?  Did they help you with your concentration?  Would you like some movie soundtracks that work nicely for writing as well?  Let us know!

Book Cover Challenge {Stump the Designer}

Today we're going to start a little game.  This is one that I made up, and I'll call it... the Book Cover Challenge.

What is the Book Cover Challenge, you ask?  Well, you could also call this 'stump the designer' if you like.  This requires your participation—and anyone else you think might enjoy it!  This won't be a big challenge if only a couple people participate, so feel free to share about this, or even use the post graphic if you'd like.

How it works:

You, readers, have two weeks to comment below with up to three different, random or creative titles.  I, the designer, will then take these titles and make them into a book cover of my own imagination.  I'll post these on the blog and you get to determine whether or not they fit the titles.  These will not be used for actual books.  This is simply a fun challenge, and none of these covers may be used by anyone for any other purpose.

You have until Saturday, October 20th to comment with your titles.  Depending on how many covers I have to make, I'll post them either that very week, or maybe a week or two after.  Again, this is just a 'stump the designer' game to help me hone my skills, and to see what I can do.  If you give me a title and you already have your mind made up of what it should look like, it might be disappointing if I do it differently!  So let's just have some fun and keep our minds open.

I look forward to seeing what you've got for me!

NOTE: I retain the right to refuse any title for any reason, so keep your title God-honoring. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  ~1 Cor. 10:31