Quackcast 783 - Where do we go from here?

Many times in your writing you reach a point where things just peter out and you can't seem to move beyond. We're not really talking about a traditional writer's block here though, it's more like running out of puff, "out of steam" so to speak… You get your story and or characters to a point and then "what now?". Maybe it's because the content of the current story no longer fits with the script you were working on because too many interesting things got added in as you were creating the pages, but now it's all falling apart because the story as it is now is too different from the planned one. Maybe it's because you lose enthusiasm for the current story. It could be that you've seen new trends and styles and fun things you want to include but can't fit them into your current story so you get tired of it. Maybe you don't have a script and can't really work out what to do next. It could be that you find a plot hole and know you'll need a rewrite to move any further. Or maybe you're starting a new chapter but can't work out how to do that. There are many reasons to run out of puff and we chatted about some ways around that in the cast. Again, this is NOT about blocks which are not really related to the writing and are more just psychological. One of the ways was to limit your scope right down: just focus on a few characters in a much more limited set of circumstances or maybe even the point of view of a single character and proceed from what interests and concerns them, what they like, need, and care about, what they experience etc. That means there are less things to worry about, it's easier to crystallise in your mind where you should go with things, and it's also way easier to get your audience to relate to and identify with what you're doing. Another key method is to rely on structure if you can. If you have an old script and old thumbnails and all that stuff, try and see if you can hammer your way back to it. You might not be able to because of later story changes or you may not even have a script, but if you do and you CAN go back to it, it's worth it even if you feel it's a bit old and boring, because it's all planned out already and when you move past the dull stuff you can write more interesting stuff into your script later. Finally another trick is to just jump to another scene completely. It could be a time jump, like two days later or earlier, or even a flashback. You can use dreams, visions, or a recounted story by a character. You can also jump to parallel scenes with other characters in other places, or simply a different character point of view… What are some run-out-off-steam moments you've had and how do you get beyond them? This week our best-off from Gunwallace is: Filaments a Kerbop Story - The mysterious, dark shadowy reaches of space, glowing tendrils of a pink gassy nebula, dimly seen, distant stars, shadowy pockmarked asteroids turning lazily… a happily little junty turn plucked out on strings winds its way through the gloom, spreading cheer and light! Originally from Quackcast 497, 22nd of September, 2020. Topics and shownotes Featured comic: No feature this week because I was sick so enjoy Kawaii's feature from last week: Summer to Winter - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2026/mar/03/featured-comic-summer-to-winter/ Featured music: Filaments a Kerbop Story - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Filaments_a_KerBop_story/ - by Caliway, rated E. Special thanks to: Gunwallace - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Gunwallace/ Tantz Aerine - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Tantz_Aerine/ Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean Banes - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes/ VIDEO exclusive! Become a subscriber on the $5 level and up to see our weekly Patreon video and get our advertising perks! - https://www.patreon.com/DrunkDuck Even at $1 you get your name with a link on the front page and a mention in the weekend newsposts! Join us on Discord - https://discordapp.com/invite/7NpJ8GS