Stuck in the muck (Julie)

Have you ever gotten a creativity block while writing? I've been knee deep in one lately while trying to plan out the second book in my fantasy series. I have a very basic outline of the plot points but couldn't seem to get my creative juices flowing as to how the characters would get to each one. For weeks I've been trying to think creatively, but it's like I'm stuck in the unimaginative sludge pond. Until today.

Because I couldn't write anything, I decided to take a break and work on something I've been putting off-creating a map of my fantasy world. So with book one's manuscript, a copy of Tolkien's Middle Earth map as a guide, and the LOTR soundtrack playing in the background, I got to work.

The more I worked on my map, the more my creativity surfaced, and I soon found myself plotting places and ideas on the map for book two and then making a bunch of notes so I wouldn't forget. There's still a few murky areas,  but that can be where my panster side comes out.

Being in a creative/writer's block, I had to step away from writing and do something else that was creative. Writer's Digest discusses doing something else creative to help with writer's block in their article 7 Ways to Overcome Writer's Block.

This has really helped get my creative juices flowing, in fact I had to make myself stop to write this post.

What about you? I'd love to hear what you've found that works.