Can someone please help me with writer's block?

I am writing a historical novel, a husband and wife (Edmund and Ardellia) go to his acquaintance's home in hopes of a desperately needed business proposition. During an evening when Ardellia and the host meet for the first time. He behaves very antisocialy. Now I have the scene mapped out but Ardellia needs to complain or rather comment on the man's behaviour. Edmund practically worships him and subtly defends and rationalizes, waving his wife off. Read it, and please give me ideas on how I can write out the res of it. I'm not looking for critique.and am unwilling to change any of these events that I have written already...

Heavy footfalls announced someone's entrance. Glancing towards the sound, she saw that Edmund had joined their little group. He took a seat next to hers. Behind him was another man, presumably the host. Who went directly to the windows on the shadowed western side of the room, he neither sat nor spoke throughout the evening. The day passed, the people eventually scattered. Ardellia and Edmund left for their apartment, with their son and her young brother at their side.

In her room, Ardellia was not quite sure of what to do; it was far too early for sleep and the new atmosphere 's unfamiliarity had her nervous and filled with anxiety. She wandered outside and into her husband's room.
"How long are we staying?"
"I am not quite certain."
"Well what of the business proposition?"
"It is fine, all is going quite well." He answered flippantly,
"And what exactly does superintendence entail?"
"Paperwork, archiving, keeping properties in check."
" "
Ardellia needs to comment on the snub.

2013-04-03T17:22:41Z

The snub I referred to was the host who never spoke a word to Ardellia.
The 'who' sentence was a typo, it is supposed to be the host not Edmund.

?2013-04-02T20:50:13Z

Favorite Answer

The main reason why most people get writer's block is because they don't know what they're trying to say, or where their story is going. This happens to us all. The best way to get the creative juices flowing is to do a whole heap of brain storming. How I do that is to open up a new word doc (or note book if you prefer to handwrite) title it Problems, and then ask myself lots of questions.

What is the consequence if my character does this....?
My characters need to be here, how can I get them there logically?
Why would my character save the world, when she wants to go to the pub?
What motivates my characters?
What are my characters' worst fears? How can I use that in the story?
Where do I want my characters to be emotionally/physically at the end of the book?

Tailor your questions to the problems you’re facing in your story. For example, do Edmund and Ardellia argue often? When they do have a disagreement, how do they normally speak to each other? What is it about the other man’s behaviour that has upset Ardellia so much? Is she worried her husband will dismiss her reasons? Is she concerned about the business deal not going through?

You'll find that the more you know about how they behave and think the easier it will be to know how Ardellia will respond.

Good luck.

Leslie2013-04-03T03:18:20Z

First off I like what you've done and leaving comments on forums like this sometimes seems too harsh, but I don't mean to be harsh at all!!!

I'm not sure what is happening in this line or who it is,
"Who went directly to the windows on the shadowed western side of the room, he neither sat nor spoke throughout the evening...." This might be a typo, but this isn't a complete sentence and I'm not sure who the "who" you are talking about...Edmund or the host?

And this line has 2 different...I'm drawing a blank for the word..two different subjects/pronouns isn't right...but you are saying "they" were leaving and then "her" brother?
"...Ardellia and Edmund left for their apartment, with their son and her young brother at their side. .." See how you have xxx their xxx their xxx her xxx.

Now to your question...I don't understand the snub..if she had asked him, "what does superintendence entail? and he said, "superintending." Then he would be making fun of her and it would be a snub. If you want her to insult loudly her husband you could have her say something like, "Well, If you have any questions, just ask Steve for help. (If "Steve" is Edmunds rival) Have her make a back handed snub to Edmund by making him feel stupid. And she can do that by comparing him to someone he doesn't like.

I'm sorry if this meanders around.

Lynn2013-04-03T03:09:28Z

How long have you been trying to figure out what she says next? 5 minutes? An hour? A day? A week? A month? Until it hits over a month, it's not writer's block. After a month, it can be considered writer's block, but it really doesn't matter. Your story. You figure it out and take as long as you need to do it.

I've been stuck for a mere five days. My record is six weeks. J.K. Rowling's record is 3 months. This is what it is to be a writer. Deal. Don't deal. But don't get other people to do it for you. That's cheating and not nearly as satisfying as you want. Besides, no one will ever figure it out as well as you can, because it's your story.