To write a novel well is a huge task, incorporating character, theme, voice and much more. Here's how to conquer the intimidation and accompanying writer's block.

The scope of writing a novel is huge: plot, character, theme, voice, description, action, emotion, dialogue . . . . The list of things to incorporate in good writing goes on and on, and that very fact can make a writer stall out. Here are some ways to deal with some causes of writer’s block.

Daily Writing Practice

Write every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Anyone can do 15 minutes, and it gets your mind used to writing when you say so. If it’s directly on your novel, great. If it leads to more time, great. But if you don’t know where to go with your novel, consider these ideas:

• When you’re stuck, write scenes that may or may not show up in the novel, or may get juggled or rewritten. The knowledge that it’s just practice, not part of a complete novel, can free your mind.
• Write a journal entry about a time that you experienced the same emotion your character is experiencing. When you identify and re-live your reaction, you can better describe your character’s experience.
• Write dialogue between characters that has nothing to do with the novel. They may react in ways you don’t expect, or your subconscious may actually lead it into part of the story. The trick is to not expect that –your mind should be free enough to let your writing go where it wants.
• Read more freewriting ideas here.

Know Your Characters

If you don’t know your characters well enough, you’ll have a hard time envisioning a scene showing their actions and reactions. Spend the freewriting time making your characters real, both protagonists and secondary characters. When you know them as well as you know your best friend, they will drive the story and you can sit back, observe and record.

Freewrite about characters: write a diary entry or letter from your character whining or ranting about something that happens in the novel; let your protagonist have a fight with a secondary character; in your character’s voice, write about a crucial childhood moment.

Know the Novel’s Plot

Sometimes what makes it hard to sit down and work on a novel is that you don’t know where the story is going. Brainstorm plot possibilities. Every time your protagonist hits a roadblock, think of at least ten possible directions he or she can go. Ratchet up the tension by continuing to block their goal, and brainstorm more possible reactions every time.

Create a Plot Outline

When you know (or as you figure out) where your story is going, write it down. Your outline is just a simple synopsis in paragraph form. Write in present tense and abbreviated sentences telling what happens and how characters react. You’ll likely find that at some point, you’ll shift from synopsis to actual dialogue or a complete scene. Let yourself make the switch, and when you stop, you’ll have a piece of the novel written painlessly.

Write When You’re Not Writing

How many activities do you have that don’t require much thought? Washing dishes, taking a walk, mowing the lawn, for example. Are you able to see the scene like a movie playing in your mind? Have you created a back-and-forth dialogue? Let your mind play with your story, and record your thoughts while you work or walk. Cassette recorders work fine, and digital recorders have become inexpensive. All you have to do is transcribe it later. Sometimes we’re more free with our words when we’re not trying to record them for posterity.

Write Badly

Often the knowledge of what it takes to write well can be so intimidating that it’s hard to even try. So don’t – that’s what revision is for! As children's writer Helen Brain suggested, give yourself the freedom to write badly. See her article, Overcoming Writers Block, for more tips on dealing with the intimidation factor.

Your Experiences with Writer's Block

For more personal reactions to the difficulties in trying to write well, read the discussion that led to this article. Feel free to add your own comments.