Today is a quick blurb on writing. I have reached the black moment where my heroine is about to do the worst possible thing. I hate writing dark moments, and I’ve avoided successfully now for three hours. I wrote 20 blogs for the month of April, and you’ll see what’s coming for writers soon. Next on the list is to take more medication for the finger. Attaching picture of how they sent me home from the hospital after almost cutting it off with a paper slicer.
Minus the index finger and a writer has drama. It will heal though.
Now after this I’m off to take meds, take out the trash, go to Publix, make lunch, then be back to write that dark moment. I do swear I will accomplish the goal today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do writers avoid writing difficult dark moments in their stories?
Writers often procrastinate when facing emotionally intense scenes, such as a story’s black moment. Common avoidance tactics include blogging, running errands, taking medication breaks, or doing household chores like grocery shopping and taking out the trash. Recognizing the avoidance pattern is the first step — setting a firm commitment to return and write the scene that same day helps overcome the block.
What is a dark moment or black moment in fiction writing?
In fiction writing, the dark moment — also called the black moment — is the point where the protagonist faces their worst possible situation or makes their most devastating decision. It is considered one of the most emotionally difficult scenes for writers to draft, requiring them to put their characters through maximum conflict before any resolution can occur.
Is it better to push through a difficult writing scene or take a break first?
Taking short, structured breaks before tackling a hard scene can help, but extended avoidance — like spending three hours on unrelated tasks — delays progress without eliminating the discomfort. Most writers find it more effective to acknowledge the scene’s difficulty, set a clear return deadline, and commit to completing it that day rather than indefinitely postponing the emotional work.
