- Re-read one of the books that inspired you to write in the first place. My go-to sci-fi novels are Eon by Greg Bear and The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. The Talisman by King and Straub is another favourite. After a chapter or two I'm generally raring to go again!
- Do something tangential to the writing of the book like drawing a family tree, drawing a map, designing a building or a town. Imagine how you would describe it on paper as you're doing it. This puts your head into the right space to be creative about your theme, but takes away the pressure of having to write word-after word. If you're good at art and graphics you might even be able to use the resultant illustration in your book! The cube on the cover of my book The Magus Conspiracy was the result of one of those 'avoiding writing' sessions. http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Magus-Conspiracy/book-KeNuw-VqmUuRI1wr5EGObg/page1.html
- Drink a small amount of something alcoholic before you sit down to write. When I go out to socialise I'm a beer and whisky drinker (c'mon, I'm Irish!) - and I like an occasional glass of red with dinner - but what works for me to loosen the gears when I'm blocked is a chilled glass of white wine. Only white wine; all the rest just make me drowsy and distracted. And I'd almost never drink white wine otherwise. Strange, huh?
- When all else fails, grind the words out one by one. Even if it's horrid, turgid gunk that no-one in their right mind would read, even if it's written in kindergarten English (or whatever your chosen language is), you're writing and being productive. You can always go back and fix it later.
- Above all, never worry about it if you're blocked. Worry is pointless and it only exacerbates the problem.
Happy writing!!
