For sure. Other tricks that work for me:
Try standing. Try writing with your opposite hand (seriously). Try writing on the wall (I use a whiteboard). Try writing *about* the problem - like a journal entry. The point: USE OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BRAIN to get out of familiar channels.
Try standing. Try writing with your opposite hand (seriously). Try writing on the wall (I use a whiteboard). Try writing *about* the problem - like a journal entry. The point: USE OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BRAIN to get out of familiar channels.
https://twitter.com/gennhutchison/status/1124007730740715520
Also: Meditation, often w a simple suggestion at the end. Along those lines: actively *not* working on it - w the key being ACTIVELY, which means take time off while giving yourself an intention (Ie, “When I return tomorrow at 10 I will have an answer - whatever it may be”).
Another: WORK BACKWARDS. “This happens. Before it, THIS happens. And before THAT..” you can get a lot that way. Also you can skip it and write forward, and then often what you needed becomes clear.
And of course there’s always my favorite: “Okay, what’s the TRUTH here?” Ie: what would ACTUALLY happen in this moment, regardless of what I *need* to have happen here? And then there’s this: Imagine you are literally WATCHING the movie, Ie you’re not writing it. What happens?
Curious what works for others. Anyone?
Oh! From @phillbarron: CHANGE LOCATIONS. Actually having a (literal) different angle can really help. (Side note: do not READ your work on the same device - or in the same spot - or in the same medium - that you wrote it.)
Sometimes this works: Imagine it is literally due in ten minutes and you have to put SOMETHING - anything - there. What comes up?
Ask yourself this question: “What would (insert writer or director who inspires you) do here?”
Oh! This is a big one: rather than try to THINK through a solution, try to FEEL through it. Ie: imagine what you want to FEEL in this moment and just muse on the feeling, and the images that are associated with it.
From @ales_kot: try writing something else for a few days. Literally let go of what is troubling you and work on something different.
Some good ones here: 
From the brilliant @heyCasperKelly
https://twitter.com/heycasperkelly/status/1124064530177363968?s=21
More good ones:
And...
This one may sound easier than it is: try having patience with not having the answer. Learn to embrace and live in “not knowing.” Trust that you’re actually working on it even though you’re not “solving” it.
And...
This is a good one. Music puts you in a FEELING state and can really open you up.
https://twitter.com/kathygori/status/1124072374712905737?s=21
Here are some writers who I really admire and who often post really helpful tips:
@Massawyrm
@ChuckWendig
@GennHutchison
@briankoppelman
@johnaugust
@clmazin
@bergopolis
@Massawyrm
@ChuckWendig
@GennHutchison
@briankoppelman
@johnaugust
@clmazin
@bergopolis
My entire office is lined with whiteboards. Wall to wall.
https://twitter.com/writerlisamarie/status/1124212853886447616?s=21
More good ones
Clearly this rubber duck thing is a thing.
https://twitter.com/adaengine/status/1124191543412252672?s=21
And more.
This underscores exactly what the brilliant @GennHutchison said - which is what started this thread in the first place.
https://twitter.com/denshewman/status/1124184248859090944?s=21
Here’s one I forgot: when you’re taking time off, really actively take the time off. The more you have a full experience of what you’re doing when NOT writing allows the coming back to be cleaner & clearer. And don’t forget the power to telling your unconscious to do some work.
Verrrrry interesting.
https://twitter.com/wgladstone/status/1124335438297276417?s=21
Don’t forget: SOMETIMES JUST MULLING AND MUSING AND BANGING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL WITH NO “ANSWERS” *IS* EXACTLY THE RIGHT THING TO BE DOING
From one of the best (& funniest) writers ever. I’ll do this - but w a subtle “intention,” like “In the am, there’ll be a solution.” They key’s being open to the solution not being what you expect.
https://twitter.com/merrillmarkoe/status/1124349667343384576?s=21Sometimes it’s Hey, you gotta re-examine your assumptions
Which reminds me: sometimes the key is to step back one order of magnitude and question the ASSUMPTIONS that led you to this “problem.”
If your neck hurts, a good doctor looks at everything - your feet, your posture, etc. They don’t just look at your neck.
If your neck hurts, a good doctor looks at everything - your feet, your posture, etc. They don’t just look at your neck.
And finally: sometimes you gotta say “Hey, Ed, get off twitter and get back to work.” Hmmm. This one feels like it’s just for me.
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