When I say that I don't particularly believe in writer's block, that's not to say that I've never had a dry spell with regards to ideas, motivation, etc. I suppose it all boils down to understanding your muse and what it's trying to say.

I'm not entitled to the muse's favor so I don't try to force it. If something just isn't coming, then that's all right. But I have hit my share of dead-ends so how do I get over them?

With truth.

Here are some of the reasons a story can't continue:

- It's got nothing to say. A fluff story can be fun. It can be charming and uplifting, too. But it can also be empty.  Therefore, a story with no clear substance isn't going to fly far.

- Too much of a switch up. More than once, I'd grinned with quiet glee at my 'clever' plot twist only to grimace a day later when the story begins to unravel before my eyes. Truth is, genius moves are subtle and often subconscious. Let the reader tell you what they see. You don't have to dictate every aspect to them. That plot twist needs to make sense or it's going to block your story. Cut. It.

- Fatigue. For all the young and invincible, this still applies to you. Going full tilt on a story might seem like the right thing to do, but what happens if you bang your head against a wall, no matter how softly? You'll feel it later on elsewhere. Give yourself enough rest. Let a story rest. If it can't continue after you come back to it, maybe it's time to give it a mercy killing and let it die quietly.

- Paper-thin characters. Trying to make your character perfect? Cute? Fun? Dangerous, adventurous? A bad*ss? That's boring. OP (overpowered) characters are forgettable, especially if they are strong from the get-go. There's a reason why Goku gets a new hair color every few seasons. Progression. Let the reader reach Super Seyan levels with your character. GIVE THEM FLAWS. Oh, and if your character's an adult but has no mention of a job, you've failed.

- You don't have an ending in mind. I, too, would get into a car and drive down a street that doesn't seem to have an end in sight, comforted and in no way panicked when I see that the bridge is out down yonder during a flash flood and I don't know how to swim. Aim for a destination and if you can't, at least aim for a scene at the climax.

- You have an ending in mind. You can struggle. You can put up one hell of a fight if you want to but should this story be taking you places beyond your outline and you attempt to rein it in, you deserve every tear soaked biscuit you have to eat while struggling to get it back on track. Let go. Let it lead you sometimes. When a story is writing itself, why wouldn't you let it?

- READ. When you can't write, let your muse rest for a bit and start reading. You'd be surprised how fast you come back from a mental getaway.

Grab the ideas quickly, but don't be afraid to let them go....