Ok, so I haven’t written blog entries since I used Xanga soooooooo many years ago, but I think it will help me work through some writer’s block and connect to my readers. Fair warning: I’m naturally sarcastic, sassy, and a bit vulgar, and I won’t apologize for any of it.
Writer’s block. It’s a real thing and we all deal with it. Sometimes, when the story is getting good, I find a roadblock. It’s usually in the worst possible place too. Such as when the main female character is stepping into a steamy shower while her lover is hidden in the bathroom closet. Yeah, you really can’t get any worse than that when it comes to writer’s block. Oh wait, you can. Since I was stalled in that story, I decided to go back to one of my previously finished stories to do some editing. About 70ish pages in, it happens again. This time with the main male character grasping the shirtless main female character. So, right now I’m torn between skipping that scene for now and carrying on with the rest of the edit or struggling through it. I think I’ll go with the skip and come back to it later. I know where the stories are going, and I know what the end result is, but getting there is easier said than done.
Normally, I watch a cheesy Hallmark movie or distract myself to help with the writer’s block. As it’s a Thursday and I’m at work, that probably won’t happen until tomorrow right. In the alternative, I tossed my problem to one of my friends to see if they can be of any help. Sometimes, talking (typing) through the scene issue with a close friend works for me. I think it has to do with getting another person’s perspective instead of constantly hashing it out to myself. As much as I love talking to myself, I find discussing it with another person helps a little more.
This block usually happens when it comes to the more romantic of scenes. Not always, but it’s a fair amount of the time. I’m not sure why, but I have a few guesses. When I write, I try to plot out the story, but at times that only hinders me since I deviate from the stories 90% of the time. Also, it could be that it happens when I’m typing the story. My first draft is ALWAYS done with pen and notepad. I’ve attempted the computer route, but just cannot get anywhere. There is some connection I feel with the pen and paper that supersedes the typing. I guess I’m a little old-fashioned when it comes to that. So, you will never find me at Starbucks unless I’m picking up my favorite seasonal drink. We’ll discuss coffee at another time. (Yes, I am an addict.)
Back on track, I think I waver in the risque scenes due to my more conservative upbringing. I was raised in a very religious family that sheltered me from everything the world offers. Movies? Sure, but my magical Disney movies were taken away when I was five. Not exactly sure why, but I think the ‘magic’ is a big part. And yes, I get the jokes about being sheltered (blah blah blah) all the time from friends and co-workers. My first serious boyfriend was when I was on the cusp of 18 if that gives you any indication. Obviously, my stories entertain some scenes that are definitely not suited for under 18, but that is what naturally flows…until it doesn’t. I’ve written over 10 novels and I would say 9 out of the 10 are rated R to X for content. And the other one was recently re-written to include more of a romantic vibe if you get what I mean. I write these not because I think it’s what readers want to read, but because it’s what the characters want and where the story goes. To connect with my characters, I channel my inner actress (yep, we’ll get to that later) and become those characters. I want to feel what they feel and move the story along in a way the imagination only can. Sometimes, that means writing things that makes me blush when I re-read them. Other times, I’m stuck between wanting to move the story along and wanting to relish the scene.
All in all, I don’t know of any writer who has never come across the dreaded writer’s block. If they say differently, they’re either a unicorn or lying.
So, then my loyal fans, how does one move through sexy scenes without stumbling through them? It will come to me eventually and when it does, I’ll blush like a virgin. Until then, I’ll quote Dr. Derek Shepherd because I can….”It’s a great day to save lives.” And by ‘lives’ I mean my scenes 😉
~Skye~