Dealing with dead ends and doubt

Dead-ends and doubt are inevitable parts of the creative process. Some of my favourite plot twists have even grown out of the worst of my creative struggles.
My solutions for pushing through usually involve:

• a walk or run
• researching semi-related scientific facts about time, sleep, biology, the cosmos
• jotting down themes and emotions and linking them with doodles and ideas
• doing the vacuuming (surprisingly productive).

But the main way I keep going is by picturing a future point when I’m out the other side. With the Lifespan of Starlight trilogy, it’s been the moment when I could hold all three books in my hands – when all three parts of Scout’s story have been told.

Author copies of Edge of Time arrived today. Such a good feeling. Finally, this day has arrived.