I Want to Write a Novel/Short Story, but Nothing's Coming to me?

Question

I've been in a bit of writer's block since summer started and I just can't seem to shake it. I love to write and read, and I've started something good after finishing The Count of Monte Cristo, but I just can't seem to come up with an ending. So, I'm shelving the idea. Maybe it's because I'm not in school, where I usually get a lot of my best ideas, but now, nothing absolutely nothing. School starts in two weeks, but I need a fix now.

Answer 1

Try out a few different endings.  It's easier if you aren't trying to make it fit exactly or worrying about keeping any of them - just brainstorm, but be sure to develop the best ideas that come out of it.  

Also, try not to put pressure on yourself, unless that really helps you - you could also read over the parts you've already finished and potentially spark some ideas doing that, without even trying.

I'd look at a few works you enjoy and compare the endings as well.  Maybe go back through what fiction you've studied in school, if it relates at all.

Alternatively, you could try to think of endings that would be terrible and analyze why they'd be bad, and maybe a good idea will show itself - reverse psychology.

Answer 2

Sketch the details of your main potential characters start with looks, mannerisms, background, etc. Write the details down - or even draw them if you are a visual person.

Then take your main character or characters and imagine them in some new odd/out of the ordinary (out of your current work's context) places or scenarios – anything goes! Write down ideas on what would have to happen to your type of character or how they would react to the scenario you placed them in.

This may seem futile, but it will help you flesh out your characters further and give you insight into what you may want to happen to this type of character in a potential story. You may even come up with multiple story lines and can see if one of them just seems to be the best or easiest to continue

Strong well-crafted main characters can inspire readers to love your story as well as drive you to write a great story for these imagined beings to be in! :-)

This should get you going. Then you may want to write an outline of you story (a kind of synopsis).

MAKE SURE YOUR OUTLINE HAS A STRONG ENDING.

I have heard that John Irving writes his endings first, down to the last line, and works backwards. The idea of the outline is to give you goals as you proceed. Writing the ending first may give you the "spark" you now need.

Answer 3

Start exploring places. And moving around your everyday area more. You'll find things you'd never expect, and it may inspire some ideas! It does for me.

Answer 4

In my experience you can not force anything where writing is concerned.  I've written two novels in what I want to be a trilogy but have not yet "received" the plot for the third.  I am confident that eventually it will come to me as has been the case with the previous pair.  I feel, when I write, as if the stories are coming to me, almost as if they are writing themselves.  I think that the identical situation will transpire with you when you are prepared to write what is in your mind.  Just be patient; as you say you may find yourself more motivated when you return to school.  Good luck!