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Not Writer's Block, Writer's Fear Maybe?
Tonight I sat down to write an important scene in my novel and was struck down by some sort of block. It's the death scene I mentioned on another thread, and even though I know what happens I'm struggling to find the words.
I don't know why this has happened, except that I feel overwhelmed by a feeling of fear. Not mine, it seems to be coming from the character. It's as though he doesn't want to let her go, doesn't want me to kill off the love of his life.
Has anyone experienced these kind of blocks? How do you get over this?
Comments
Don't resist it. Write a bit at a time, as much as you can bear. If you can, incorporate those fears into your writing. Work slowly and give yourself plenty of breaks. You'll get there and it will be worth it.
Maybe I could write a bit at a time and work on the next chapter which is from a different pov.
I thought the same Carol. I know she's dreading the ending of her book on Charles I. I was wondering how she deals with it.
You know what happens, so it doesn't frighten you.
The character doesn't, so it frightens him.
What frightens you is the thought of not being able to live his fear enough to do justice to it.
So, just tune in to his character. Pretend you're playing Mozart. The music will take over.
I might be on the wrong tack here, but you are right in aiming to write it in bits: writing it down is the main thing, eventually to be improved on your re-writes. And who knows, one 'bit' might extend into a good long section if you are feeling you have really got your characters going.
Characters take on a life of their own. Let the person tell their story line by line. It will work if you don't push them too hard.
I am dreading Charles' ending. Every death is personal, which is why it annoys me so much when it is dismissed in history books: 'XXX was executed'. It's as if they say: let's ignore the gut wrenching horror of walking out to your death, the whole 'this is my last drink, my last walk, my last breath...' The Earl wrote in his ballad "willing to die." I told him it was a lie and he admitted it was. Henry welcomed death, it was a comforter to someone very ill. Others fought it and fight it even now. Charles' was particularly poignant and that is going to be hard on our emotions.
Thank you for the advice Dorothy.