Thriller Writer Gayle Lynds Shares Advice for Tackling Writer’s Block with GOTHAM Writer’s Workshop
Gayle Lynds, author of The New York Times bestseller Masquerade, shares her thoughts on writer’s block.  If you want to read more of the interview, then read it here on Gotham’s website.

(I’ve highlighted in bold italics the line that jumped out at me, see if helps you next time you’re stuck…)

Q: What is your method for overcoming writers block?
I wish there were a pill for this.  I find time is critical. Often a writer is simply creatively tired, or ones unconscious is working on character, plot, or somesuch, and that has brought ones writing to a painful halt. To remedy that, time is needed. On other other hand, I always ask myself, What is the villain doing? The villain drives the plot, whether its a minimalist literary piece or a grandiose potboiler. If you know what your villain is doing, whether it is man, beast, or god, generally you will be able to uncover where the book or story needs to go next.

I suspect the reason I’m getting a little distracted when I sit down to work is because my desk has started to overwhelm me.  The mess, which was once just mildly irritating, one more thing on a long to-do list, has become so messy I can’t help but see it every time I sit down.

Time to tidy my workspace, and get it ready for the messy business of writing.  What is your workspace like?  

The last couple of weeks, I’ve taken a break from posting and focused on finishing off a book.  The windows of time I’ve had have all been spent writing.  Lovely.  What breaks do you take from your life to fit in time for writing?  When was the last time you told yourself you were going to write for an hour (or even fifteen minutes)?

Gift yourself a writing window.  Remind yourself it’s important to you.  And get writing.