The current best way for me to get unstuck on a thing:

[spindizzy]

1. Get paper and a pen/a text doc.


2. Title it "WHY AM I STUCK ON [SPECIFIC THING]?"


3. Write down the answers until the page is full or I've realised what the actual problem is, because it's usually something very small and fixable.

It's basically rubber ducking on your own, but instead of explaining what you're trying to do you're going on a rant about how huge and scary this thing you're writing is and late you are submitting it and how FUCKING ANNOYING it is that you can't remember how to spell that one character's name – and then you go "Oh, wait, I can just put a post-it on my computer screen with the right spelling," and suddenly its easier, because the tiny thing was the grit in your shoe that made the rest of the walk unbearable. ... Or at least that's how it works for me.

Other ridiculous way to get unstuck is reminding myself that a review is BASICALLY three sentences. (Or three clauses, I guess, if you're like me and made entirely of run-on sentences.)

1. What this thing is!


2. What I think of this thing!


3. Why I think that!

Usually once I've got those three sentences done I either have my angle into writing more sentences, or I've gone "... Wow, I really have nothing to say about this book," which can be revealing enough on its own.I have no idea if these would work for people who aren't me, but this is what I've spent this morning doing!