How to write when you don't know what to write

There's this impasse that all authors hit when they're writing. I'm not talking about writer's block. I'm talking about substance block.

I just made that title up, but it's real. I've struggled with it. My friends have struggled with it. It's real.

In essence, it's what happens when you have a great plot, but it's moving too quickly. When your characters have just done something awesome, and you want them to do something else awesome...but it's only been a page since the last awesome thing happened. Basically, you need substance that isn't too action packed. What do you do?

Well, there are two ways to deal with this that I would recommend, so here they are.

1. Plot it out

The one big problem with the substance block is just that - you can't think of substance. Just action. One of the best ways to fix this is to plot out what you're going to write.

Basically, plot it out.

For example, say my main character is eating lunch, when a group of Agents from a secret association come and try to kill him. He manages to escape against all odds, showing his amazing skills.

And the next thing I have in my plot is he goes to the main bad guy lair. Only problem is, I don't have anything in between these two.

What do I do?

I would add an extra scene. Either I would make a scene out of his journey to the lair, or I would add a scene where he goes to a pet store and buys a dog for his brother's birthday party. Or something like that.

2. Add Character Development

This is an interesting one. If you need some filler, make your character do some mundane things. Ride a bike, do something he/she loves, meet a hated character.

And when you do this, make sure your characters have some flaws. Make them subtle, but there. If there aren't any, the character will not be believable.

One of the things you could do to really develop all the flaws/awesomeness of the character is to meet another character. Either one that's already been introduced or a new one.

That's it! Hope this was helpful for everyone with substance block.