Writer's Block

The best advice I read of late for curing writer's block is a technique that can be encouraged to children. Children will often whine about not knowing what to write about, or use characters that already exist. Try this exercise. Tell them to choose not one, not two, but THREE characters they know and like. BUT, they have to go further. For one, choose a strength. For another, choose a flaw. And the last, use their looks. Combine the three elements and you'll have a new character. Of course, Dear Editor explained it a little better.