Goodreads asked Sidney Bell:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Sidney Bell Okay, I'm about to get super nerdy here, but in my experience, writer's block isn't about being stuck so much as lacking the raw materials needed to build a story.

If I get stuck on a scene, it's usually because the previous scenes are missing something. A character might not be developed well enough, or a previous plot point isn't working, or I've got dialogue that's running counter to the mood I want to build. If the previous scenes aren't stable, the current scene turns into a table with a shaky leg. Stuff's gonna wobble and fall. If you don't know your characters and the plot and thematic elements you're addressing, it's gonna feel like pulling teeth. 100% of the time, going back and analyzing what went wrong fixes the problem for me.

If I get stuck looking for new ideas, it's usually because I haven't had enough time lately to read. An infusion of fresh, challenging ideas is crucial to inspiration. Writers have to take in new stories the same way chefs have to try new dishes and doctors have to learn new techniques. It's the only way to keep progressing. In this instance, sitting down and running through some new books and noting things that I think a writer is doing really well or that I find original is all I need to get the juices flowing.

Either way, writer's block is all about finding laying a foundation, either within your own words or someone else's.

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