Visualising
When consider myself as as writer I often think that description is perhaps my weakest area - especially when it comes to describing things that naturally don't exist in the real world. At times, when writing The Powers that be trilogy over the past few years I've found myself hitting serious brick walls when it comes to sections I know needs a certain thing described when I haven't yet decided what it's going to look like in the first place. A good way round this I've found, is to draw pictures.
Now I'm by no means the greatest artist in the world, but the simple process of drawing out basic diagrams, plans and pictures really does help me when it comes to settling down to the writing process. It's also a remarkably good way of getting over writer's block. Whenever I stumble across a problem in my writing, other than the usual 'give it a few days' thing, drawing small pictures - often covered in words or phrases that link to the image I'm forming in my mind - really is a fantastic way to keep on top of things.
I've scanned below a small sketch I did ages ago now of 'Aldwyn's Magic Emporium' - a shop my characters visit during my book.
.JPG "Aldwyn's Magic Emporium by M.J.Ryder")