fuonlyknew

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AUTHOR GUEST POST

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Writer’s Block—or My Characters Refusing to Cooperate?

Do I ever get writer’s block?

Absolutely.

Sometimes the words arrive so quickly that I can barely type fast enough. Other times I stare at the screen as though the next sentence has been hidden there in invisible ink.

During those moments, I usually discover that the problem is not a shortage of words. It is a shortage of trouble.

Thriller characters need problems. Serious problems. “The restaurant lost my reservation” may ruin an evening, but it rarely carries a novel for three hundred pages.

When I become stuck, I ask myself several questions: What is my character afraid of? What secret is someone hiding? What is the worst reasonable thing that could happen next? Then, because I write psychological suspense, I usually make it happen.

My characters must love me.

While writing ALTERED, I had a particularly useful source of narrative trouble: Frank Devlin and his alternate personalities. Frank enters the office of psychiatrist Justin Wright looking for help, but each alter brings a different voice, temperament, and possibility into the story. A scene can change direction depending on who appears, what that personality knows, and what Justin fails to understand.

Still, having several personalities available does not automatically eliminate writer’s block. It simply means more characters can refuse to cooperate at the same time.

When a scene stalls, I stop trying to force the plot forward and return to the character’s emotional conflict. What does Justin want at that moment? Why can’t he have it? What would he do that seems compassionate or logical but might make everything worse?

That last question is especially productive.

I also step away from the computer when necessary. A walk, a shower, or performing some dull household task often loosens the knot. Apparently, inspiration enjoys arriving when my hands are wet, I have no pen, and the nearest electronic device is in another room.

Most importantly, I remind myself that an imperfect sentence can be repaired. A blank page is much less cooperative. I write something, even when I know I may change it later. Movement creates possibilities, and possibilities eventually produce suspense.

The conflicts introduced in ALTERED continue to grow across the Justin Wright Suspense Series. Each book explores new threats and deeper consequences for Justin and his family, while building on the secrets, relationships, and emotional wounds established in the first novel. Readers repeatedly tell me they cannot put the books down.

So perhaps the best cure for writer’s block is simple: create enough trouble that even the author has to keep reading.

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Meet Author Rob Kaufman:

 

 

 

Rob Kaufman is a celebrated psychological thriller author, known for crafting emotionally intense stories that delve into the human psyche. With a degree in Psychology, he weaves his deep understanding of human behavior into gripping narratives filled with relatable characters and compelling twists.

 

 

Fascinated by what drives people toward darkness while seeking love and acceptance, Rob explores the fine line between good and evil. His novels aren’t just suspenseful—they unravel everyday events that spiral into extraordinary psychological dramas.

 

Readers become deeply invested in his characters, experiencing a range of emotions from laughter to heartbreak. His books have earned national and international acclaim for their unique, thought-provoking storylines and masterful plotting.

 

Beyond writing, Rob actively engages with readers, sharing insights into his creative process and the psychological depths of his characters. His commitment to authenticity and emotional resonance continues to captivate audiences, cementing his place as a compelling voice in psychological thrillers.

 

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