Mervyn Whyte asked Will Once:

How do you deal with writer's block, Will?

Will Once Mervyn - I have three different tactics that I try in turn. First, I try and write anyway, even if it means writing rubbish that I'll later have to delete. It's amazing how often this gets you back on track. If that doesn't work I'll put the writing to one side and go for a walk. This clears my head like nothing else. Finally, if all else fails I will take it as a sign that I've written myself into a dead end. I will go back over the part of the writing before the block and see if I can change that.

I once tried to work out how to get a dragon to the top of a mountain. I couldn't work out how to do it. Nothing I tried seemed to work. I could write it physically but it seemed flat and boring.

So I rewound the story. I started the scene with the dragon already on the top of the mountain. Problem solved. And I started writing from there.

The other kind of block is when we lose confidence in writing as a whole. Then I just carry on with the thought that I enjoy writing even if I never get many readers. Write for the fun of it and then see what happens.

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