Zen…

This might help with overcoming writer’s block.

To create a compelling story;

First, I THINK about it. Sometimes I sleep on it. Sleep Over it. Wait it out.

Till I could literally figure almost the entire story.

I think about how the story relates to me. Maybe a past experience. What I wish to fulfill in the future. Then I become the character itself. If it’s someone else’s story, I make sure to fit into the person’s shoe. To feel everything I need to put myself in the moment. Be in the moment.

For example, if I were to write about how a character’s parent died. I have to fit into the character’s shoes.

What happened? Did a car hit his father? How did he get the news? What did he do the moment he heard the story?

Then I try to be the person who lost his dad. When and where did I get the call? How would I feel if I received such news?

I have to picture every single thing. Then I put it down as draft. Work over it again till I’m satisfied.

I CLEAN. Yeah. Cleaning helps my thought process. It takes me away from the present to the moment where everything is happening.

You need to watch me clean. Focused, and I clean every single thing 😂 the body pains set in later when I’m back to reality.

I EAT. I normally eat fast, cause it shifts my focus to building a story. I make sure to eat only when I’m very hungry that’s when I have a huge appetite for it. When I say eat I mean actual food. And there’s this other thing I take (very obsessed with it black velvet tamarind fruit. Where I’m from it’s called “icheku” It really helps me focus I swear)

How is Benz related to Gonzalez? What’s the age gap? If they were brothers how did he end up getting Gonzalez crippled? What’s Gonzalez deal with Natasha and her dad?

What’s Natasha and Benz’s backstory? Did Diana die? How did Benz figure she’s Natasha’s mole?

These kinda thoughts pop up in my head.

EXERCISE. Sitting for long hours makes my back ache and it freezes my butt too 😢 but then I can’t stop writing.

Exercising in between writing and drafting really helps.

Instead of getting stuck on a chapter, I stretch it out. Sit that chapter up till I figure the next ten lines. It works really well for me.

DIALOGUE. This is my favorite strategy. Works every time.

Talking or having a chat with people I meet on a daily basis, gives me insight on building my characters or scenes.

For example if a friend of mine says

“He’s dick game ain’t that good bleh” it’s definitely going to workout perfectly as a line in my story. So I note it down and picture which chapter and who will use it. Who it’ll fit the most.

Having conversations with people in general, friends and family really makes the creative process of my writing flow.

MUSIC.

Helps me focus with background noise. If you know me, you’ll know I love loud music. If someone is talking on the background or cooking or chatting… the music blocks it out.

I’ll share more later.

Do you find this 👆🏾interesting ? Can you relate ?

What physical activities help you get through writers block?

And how do you build up your stories? 👇🏾👇🏾