The Interview: Writers’ Block Cure #2

By Geo Holmes

Let’s face it: school is eating me alive at the moment and I’m cheating death right here by quickly conjuring up an article for this webzine. Also, I’m fighting off writer’s block once again—and if you’re bothering to read this, you probably have a similar reason. Either that or you’re amused by the fact that I fumble madly about when it comes to article attempts. Everybody stops to watch a train wreck. (Just kidding.)

Where was I?

Oh yes, a writers’ block cure. This month I’m going to stay along the same lines as the dialogue blitz, but going to go in a different and more direct direction this time. I call this method of fighting out the blankness in your mind “The Interview”.

The first instructions are quiet basic, a repeat of the intial steps of the first ‘cure’: get a notebook, find a comfortable and quiet location, and take whatever else you need to get cozy (pillow, snacks, etc.). There, have that done? You don’t? OK, just stay at the computer if you’re going to be lazy.

Now, choose a character from a story you have created in the past, preferably someone who you think is underdeveloped as far as their nature goes, and imagine them seated somewhere near by. Check that your pen has ink (or your pencil has lead), that your ‘tape recorder’ (ears) is on, and that your full attention is on the character by pushing everything else from your buzzing mind. Give your character a cheerful greeting, thank them for coming and begin.

Begin what?

Did I skip that little detail? If you read the title, you would know that you are interviewing the character. You are digging deeper into their soul and finding out what makes them tick, and the experiences they have had, and the reactions they have to the maddening array of questions you’re asking. It’s basic; write down a question, then compose the response that your character gives.

Pure clockwork.

If you want to add more to this you don’t actually have to be the person who does the interview; you can use another entity from your cast of characters. This can kill two birds with one stone, in fact. For example, when I do this method of writers’-block-breaking, I use my first ‘real’ character—Maxwell J. Sterling, a disjointed, slightly annoying web reporter who has a knack for doing interviews (go figure). This method allows you to develop both characters at once and also sit on the sidelines for an amusing show.

Don’t forget your snacks!