# Writer's Block **URL:** https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/c/literaturewriting/writers-block/22.md [Latest](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/tags.md) --- ## [Proving that you aren't an AI/ Didn't use an AI](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/proving-that-you-arent-an-ai-didnt-use-an-ai/154430)
**Author:** [@Dart](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Dart)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/proving-that-you-arent-an-ai-didnt-use-an-ai/154430 "2026-11-11T16:52:34Z")
Of course proof is pushed a bit here. Evidence may be a better word. Showing how the book developed tp me would go a long way. Over on the Reddit subforum for scriverner, someone asked if there was an automatic way to… --- ## [Do You Ever Feel Like Your Brain Writes Better Than Your Hands Can?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/do-you-ever-feel-like-your-brain-writes-better-than-your-hands-can/153732)
**Author:** [@alexbrown](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/alexbrown)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/do-you-ever-feel-like-your-brain-writes-better-than-your-hands-can/153732 "2026-11-09T19:53:10Z")
I don’t know if this is exactly writer’s block, perfectionism, or just frustration, but lately I’ve been struggling with the gap between what I imagine and what actually ends up on the page. In my head, scenes feel cine… --- ## [Any Advice for a new film screen writer?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/any-advice-for-a-new-film-screen-writer/154018)
**Author:** [@Multi-CUBE22](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Multi-CUBE22)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/any-advice-for-a-new-film-screen-writer/154018 "2026-10-17T00:06:59Z")
I am a new writer who uses Google Doc. all the time but have not written a professional film or tv script yet to pitch to media companies, \[Indie or mainstream\] \[Production/ distribution\] Film Companies, or producers. I … --- ## [Visual or text while planning](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/visual-or-text-while-planning/154825)
**Author:** [@ptram](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/ptram)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2026, 11:17am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/visual-or-text-while-planning/154825 "2026-10-04T11:17:19Z")
Hi, Do you prefer to work on a diagram or a text list while planning your story? I’ve always been very visual when thinking. I’ve always scribbled, made diagrams, used mind maps since my early age. Diagrams can contai… --- ## [Writing while on vacation](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/writing-while-on-vacation/154362)
**Author:** [@ptram](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/ptram)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2026, 6:18am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/writing-while-on-vacation/154362 "2026-08-31T06:18:52Z")
Hi, Not sure at the moment, but maybe this year I will be able to take some days of vacations. After so many years. A luxury vacation: I’ll probably go in a camping with a new, technologically advanced tent. I plan to … --- ## [Ideating and Freewriting Techniques](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/ideating-and-freewriting-techniques/151383)
**Author:** [@SebastianLarrs](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/SebastianLarrs)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2026, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/ideating-and-freewriting-techniques/151383 "2026-08-02T11:14:53Z")
Hey there! I’m relatively new to L&L Community Forum. I’m a screenwriter/director close to finishing my degree at University, and I’ve been using Scrivener for about two to three years now. It’s a great program for both … --- ## [How Do You Structure Your Character Cards?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-do-you-structure-your-character-cards/153226)
**Author:** [@Page404](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Page404)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-do-you-structure-your-character-cards/153226 "2026-07-16T14:19:58Z")
Hi everyone, I’m relatively new to long-form fiction and trying to set up my process thoughtfully from the beginning so I don’t create structural issues later. I’m curious how people here design their character cards … --- ## [Do you ever outsource parts of academic writing when deadlines pile up?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/do-you-ever-outsource-parts-of-academic-writing-when-deadlines-pile-up/153836)
**Author:** [@alexbrown](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/alexbrown)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/do-you-ever-outsource-parts-of-academic-writing-when-deadlines-pile-up/153836 "2026-06-24T17:02:15Z")
I mainly use Scrivener for organizing large research projects, but during brutal deadline weeks, I’ve noticed a lot of students around me are also using outside writing/editing services alongside their own drafting proce… --- ## [Is Essay Writing Making Us Better Fiction Writers?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/is-essay-writing-making-us-better-fiction-writers/153997)
**Author:** [@ethanpaul](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/ethanpaul)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2026, 10:22am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/is-essay-writing-making-us-better-fiction-writers/153997 "2026-06-15T10:22:18Z")
I’ve noticed that essay writing teaches clarity, structure, and argument, while fiction often relies on emotion, character, and subtext. For those who write both, do you think essay writing improves your storytelling, or… --- ## [Good interview with Adrian Tchaikovsky useful to sf/fantasy writers](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/good-interview-with-adrian-tchaikovsky-useful-to-sf-fantasy-writers/154030)
**Author:** [@Ria13](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Ria13)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2026, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/good-interview-with-adrian-tchaikovsky-useful-to-sf-fantasy-writers/154030 "2026-06-13T19:04:21Z")
I’ve not read any of his works, but good interview. --- ## [Forms for Various Steps of the Writing Process?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/forms-for-various-steps-of-the-writing-process/153596)
**Author:** [@lolajl](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/lolajl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2026, 7:14am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/forms-for-various-steps-of-the-writing-process/153596 "2026-05-22T07:14:57Z")
Over the weekend I met the son of one member of my team working on a religious project. The son is 13 I believe, and has written and published a fantasy book which is EXCELLENT (Kunja Rindie and the Diamond Trident by Si… --- ## [Thoughts on Bickham’s Scene & Structure: Does it work for actual writing?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/thoughts-on-bickham-s-scene-structure-does-it-work-for-actual-writing/153663)
**Author:** [@1944187392and](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/1944187392and)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2026, 4:49am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/thoughts-on-bickham-s-scene-structure-does-it-work-for-actual-writing/153663 "2026-05-20T04:49:28Z")
Hi everyone, I’m fairly new to fiction writing. I’ve read quite a number of writing guidebooks over time. I recently finished Elements of Fiction Writing - Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham. Many of the methods in t… --- ## [How to overcome the fear of starting to write?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-to-overcome-the-fear-of-starting-to-write/152222)
**Author:** [@anon13690460](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/anon13690460)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-to-overcome-the-fear-of-starting-to-write/152222 "2026-02-11T04:01:48Z")
Hello, fellow writers, I wrote my first story when I was 14, then it took me four years to start the next one. Since then, I haven’t written or even started another story, but I’ve collected tons of ideas, and new ones … --- ## [Free (and I think useful) worldbiulding guide I found](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/free-and-i-think-useful-worldbiulding-guide-i-found/152759)
**Author:** [@Ria13](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Ria13)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/free-and-i-think-useful-worldbiulding-guide-i-found/152759 "2026-01-09T19:43:34Z")
https://zeruhur.itch.io/worldbuilders-fractal this specific guidebook talks about minimal worldbuilding geared towards optimizing conflict and story. oh, and one section mentions Scrivener! I haven’t tried it out yet bu… --- ## [Feedback exchange for short work of \<10k](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/feedback-exchange-for-short-work-of-10k/152659)
**Author:** [@lithality](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/lithality)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/feedback-exchange-for-short-work-of-10k/152659 "2026-01-09T19:36:26Z")
Hello, I’m a sci-fi/fantasy writer who has been out of the loop in online writing circles for a good few years. I have a fairly good support system, but I’ve come to the conclusion that having an outside source not in m… --- ## [Interesting](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/interesting/151098)
**Author:** [@Vincent\_Vincent](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Vincent_Vincent)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2025, 10:52am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/interesting/151098 "2025-10-08T10:52:06Z")
--- ## [What is the meaning of the word scrivener?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-word-scrivener/139878)
**Author:** [@rlilloy](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/rlilloy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-word-scrivener/139878 "2025-09-22T15:04:19Z")
what is the meaning of the word scrivener? --- ## [Scriptwriting advice (and AI) for a 14 year old](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/scriptwriting-advice-and-ai-for-a-14-year-old/150614)
**Author:** [@pigfender](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/pigfender)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2025, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/scriptwriting-advice-and-ai-for-a-14-year-old/150614 "2025-09-19T23:11:41Z")
I have recently been approached for advice by someone whose 14 year old son wants to be a screenwriter.\[1\] Their son has been writing as much as they can (including starting a sitcom!), but they (the parent) wondered wh… --- ## [Working on TV series project](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/working-on-tv-series-project/149664)
**Author:** [@JohnnyPena1990](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/JohnnyPena1990)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/working-on-tv-series-project/149664 "2025-08-07T15:04:00Z")
Hello, I’m new to the forums and am working on my first major project in Scrivener. It’s a full TV series concept based on childhood memories. I have a lot of documents to organize: a pilot script, a series bible, chara… --- ## [A writing coach?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/a-writing-coach/12819)
**Author:** [@tmanasa](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/tmanasa)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2025, 10:37am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/a-writing-coach/12819 "2025-05-16T10:37:23Z")
I’m about 50% of the way through my first draft and I have stalled. I’m having a hard time staying motivated to get the manuscript finished because of work and family duties. So I have been considering hiring a writing c… --- ## [What Details Should I Focus On When Creating Characters](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/what-details-should-i-focus-on-when-creating-characters/146545)
**Author:** [@jamesalery](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/jamesalery)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2025, 7:46am UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/what-details-should-i-focus-on-when-creating-characters/146545 "2025-05-09T07:46:42Z")
Hey everyone! I’m really new to writing and I’m trying to figure out how to create good characters for my novel. I’m not sure what kind of details I should focus on. I’ve heard things like birthdays, age, personality tra… --- ## [What does the sun do for shadows?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/what-does-the-sun-do-for-shadows/147050)
**Author:** [@pigfender](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/pigfender)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/what-does-the-sun-do-for-shadows/147050 "2025-04-28T15:22:10Z")
Okay, internet. My brain is letting me down so I need to use yours. I’m writing a thing, and have this sentence: The bright summer sun casts a human-shaped shadow across a coffee table. Except, the sun doesn’t cast … --- ## [Advice needed: Judging a book by its cover! \[Fantasy edition\]](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/advice-needed-judging-a-book-by-its-cover-fantasy-edition/146863)
**Author:** [@pigfender](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/pigfender)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/advice-needed-judging-a-book-by-its-cover-fantasy-edition/146863 "2025-04-13T14:12:01Z")
I’d like to crowdsource some wisdom, please! What would you rate as the best fantasy books of all time, if you could only judge them by the covers? In other words, which fantasy books have the best covers of all time, w… --- ## [Two excellent how-to books on writing ficiton](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/two-excellent-how-to-books-on-writing-ficiton/145847)
**Author:** [@Ria13](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Ria13)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/two-excellent-how-to-books-on-writing-ficiton/145847 "2025-03-21T18:06:04Z")
Very different books, both very useful in different ways. (I rarely use the word “very”, by the way.) Monkeys With Typewriters: How To Write Fiction and Unlock the Secret Power of Stories by Scarlett Thomas and Writing t… --- ## [How to shrink a synopsis to 600 words?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-to-shrink-a-synopsis-to-600-words/145627)
**Author:** [@auxbuss](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/auxbuss)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-to-shrink-a-synopsis-to-600-words/145627 "2025-02-01T16:07:54Z")
Publisher has asked for a 600 word synopsis of my 140,000 novel. I can’t get below ~1,100 words. There are four intersecting narrative arcs; two worlds, with completely different cultures; and a plot that bounces between… --- ## [Character Development](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/character-development/145757)
**Author:** [@botics](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/botics)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/character-development/145757 "2025-02-08T20:43:07Z")
Does anyone use a Word or other template or print sheets for character development? Where can I find these? Thanks! --- ## [How to organize a Multiple Book Fantasy Series?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-to-organize-a-multiple-book-fantasy-series/140059)
**Author:** [@R\_Kim](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/R_Kim)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/how-to-organize-a-multiple-book-fantasy-series/140059 "2024-04-13T17:27:00Z")
Hey all! I just finished the first novel of a seven book fantasy series (insert jubilant celebrations here!) — I have about 2.5 years worth of notes about the world, the peoples, concepts, upcoming events, plot, concept… --- ## [Dialog, telepathic dialog, and internal thoughts - Formatting question](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/dialog-telepathic-dialog-and-internal-thoughts-formatting-question/144988)
**Author:** [@MG\_Martin](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/MG_Martin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/dialog-telepathic-dialog-and-internal-thoughts-formatting-question/144988 "2025-01-04T16:59:03Z")
Ii have finished the first draft of my novel and have entered the editing phase. Yay me! One of the things I have to finalize is how to format telepathic dialogue and internal thoughts. This is essential as there are s… --- ## [Good alternative to "spells" or "cantrips"?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/good-alternative-to-spells-or-cantrips/142087)
**Author:** [@Ria13](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/Ria13)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/good-alternative-to-spells-or-cantrips/142087 "2024-12-02T17:40:56Z")
in my in-progress novel (to oversimplify) everyone can do magic, but (again, to oversimplify) I, and they, don’t use the word “magic”. for narrative purposes, I will have people specialize in paerticular fields of magic. … --- ## [Anyone Writing Novels Exclusively in Scrivener?](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/anyone-writing-novels-exclusively-in-scrivener/128557)
**Author:** [@olonoff](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/u/olonoff)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/t/anyone-writing-novels-exclusively-in-scrivener/128557 "2024-10-30T22:25:07Z")
Scrivener is, pretty obviously, intended to be a soup to nuts (nuts? no one eats nuts for dessert!) writing tool. Clearly the Outliner and Corkboard are intended to be brainstorming and first draft tools. But I’m getting… [Next page](https://forum.literatureandlatte.com/c/literaturewriting/writers-block/22.md?page=1)