Your Fiction Novel and a Road Block

If you are stuck in the middle of writing your novel and you aren't sure where to take the story or how to end the chapter you're on or maybe even how to end the story, you can try a few of these ideas and see what happens.

The airport is one of the best places to people watch. I often try an exercise while I am waiting at the airport. I will take pictures of people as I walk to my gate (I use my Treo Palm cell phone camera) and then look at them as I wait for my plane. I evaluate what type of character they might be, like how they would react at a funeral or if they were handed flowers by a stranger for no reason. This exercise always helps me look at my own characters that I have created. I remember a character in one of my stories looking a certain way and without realizing it; I photographed a woman in an airport who matched the description I had in my head of that character. I still have that photo of that woman and it really helped me imagine her better, especially in certain situations.

Now I know you can't just go into the airport like we used to be able to but if you're in an airport with an hour wait or so, try this exercise but if you're stuck in your novel and want to try it now, try your local shopping mall.

Let's say you are writing a story about a police officer. Try getting in touch with a police officer and ask them to tell you the most fascinating stories he has seen or heard on the job during his career. This could help put a spin on your story no matter the type of situation. If your story is about a pilot, visit your local airport that has a flight instructor. If your story is about a corrupt mayor in a small town, call your local mayor, tell them you're a writer and you're doing research and you'd like to speak with them. You get the idea. Real stories have been turned into fantastic, sensationalized stories since the beginning of time. Talking to people that are close to your characters professions is a great way to start unblocking those thoughts.