Wednesday's Writers Block - Week 22

Got Writer’s Block?

Yeah, it happens to the best of us.  Life gets in the way and your brain is taken in another direction and before you know it, it’s been days or weeks since you last looked at that book you’re trying to write.  You’ve forgotten little details.  What eye color did you give your hero?  What town was your heroine born in?  Perhaps you need to jumpstart your creative mojo, and that's what this series is designed for. Not to explain writer's block, but to help you move in a different direction.

When The Walking Dead became popular, there was a burst of books about a zombie apocalypse. I read a few great ones (Jenika Snow, Kylie Scott) and even wrote one under my pen name.

They also provide a great opportunity to let your imagination run wild, because a zombie horde doesn't have to mean the undead. You can set the apocalypse in literally any situation: office, courtroom, military, highschool, etc. Zombies are a great metaphor. The more shit you thrust your protagonist into the better, because the drama writes itself.

#22 Zombie Attack

What would your hero do if confronted by a mindless, unstoppable horde?

>Brainstorm some experts your hero could consult. If this happened before, how did

they survive?

> Does the horde have a leader? Is there any way your hero could take over that spot?

> Make it personal. let someone the hero loves join the mob.

> Zombies wants brains. What does your crowd want? If they got it, would they disperse or grow stronger?




"Zombies" don't have to be the walking dead. From soccer hooligans to snotty seniors to social media swarms, there are mobs in every genre. Unlike individual adversaries, crowds can't be confronted or reasoned with. Your hero may need to flee or take shelter - perhaps with other survivors.

Whether real or metaphorical, all zombies have weaknesses, and it's up to your hero to figure out what those are. Perhaps there's even a cure. But finding it won't be easy.

Happy Writing!



***John August designed these cards to help writers fix plot holes, spice up stock characters and

rethink your themes.  They, of course, do not guarantee you’ll get published or that you’ll become the next J.K. Rowling, and of course they are only a tool to help you think outside the box. I make no monetary gain with them nor do I expect anything in return.  I do not own the contents in these cards. If you're interested in them, here's the amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Writer-Emergency-Pack/dp/B00R6ZLIOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502046610&sr=8-2&keywords=john+august