Have you ever felt stuck by writer’s block? If so, you’re in good company.

That’s exactly the state the members of the legendary rock group Guns N’ Roses found themselves in one day in 1987. They were recording songs for their album Appetite for Destruction and had been working on their song “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” They had written the verses and chorus, so they had a complete song on their hands. However, producer Spencer Proffer suggested they add a breakdown at the end of the song.

As he was listening to a loop of the demo, lead singer Axl Rose began singing “Where do we go now?” as a filler lyric. However, it soon caught on and the band recorded the breakdown with these lyrics. The song was released in 1988 as the third single from the album, and was named by Billboard magazine as the #5 single that year.

When you feel stuck in your writing and you’re asking yourself “Where do I go now?” … do what Axl did. He incorporated his question into his lyrics.

Maybe you feel frustrated. Lost. Scared. Intimidated. Confused. Tired. Observe what you are thinking and feeling, and use that data to give you insights to get you unstuck.

When you don’t know where to go, go inside yourself and you’ll find your pathway forward.

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One of the most interesting characters in literature is the unreliable narrator. This character might be delusional, a liar, or is simply prone to exaggeration. Or, they might not have a firm grasp on reality because of their personality or mental state.

The unreliable narrator is so effective as a storytelling device because you don’t know what to believe as a reader. Therefore, it keeps you guessing the whole time.

Some examples of the unreliable narrator in literature include the character Alex in A Clockwork Orange, the unnamed narrator in the short story The Tell-Tale Heart, or Pi Patel in The Life of Pi. You can also see the unreliable narrator archetype in movies such as Fight Club, Gone Girl, or The Usual Suspects.

Each of us has an unreliable narrator in our heads. This is the voice telling you you’re not good enough, you’re not gifted, or nobody will like your writing. It is telling you lies and trying to give you false information.

At the same time, you have a reliable narrator in your head. This one tells you the truth such as you can make a difference, habits are the gateway to success, and you can achieve much more than you ever thought possible.

Your task today is to drown out the unreliable narrator and listen to the other voice that is telling you the truth.

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