To plot, or not to plot

So I've been reading a lot about story construction. It appears to me that either you plot out your novel, or you don't. Some authors just start writing and see where the story takes them and others tightly structure every major twist and turn. So now I ask you: What works best for you? Do you plot, or not? Do you keep tabs on your story in your head or do you draft an outline?

B.L.O.C.K.

Have you ever had so much to write that nothing comes out? You know what I'm talking about. Your mind is cranking at a bazillion miles an hour, you're uber-excited about all of the new developments in your story and as sooon as you sit down to let the magic flow, THUD.


Nothing.


Nada.


Zilch-o.


Not a sentence. Not a word. Not even a friggin' syllable.


What do you do when you hit the wall? How do you manage to push past the THUD so that the fantastic story living in your head actually materializes?

Ready, Set, Go!

I'm a starter. I start work-out programs and craft projects and books that are quasi-interesting. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I don't qualify as a finisher - as evidenced by the semi-finished bar-b-q grill cover sitting on my back patio, the P-90X workout program that never progressed past four weeks and the stack of half-read novels by my bed (although, I did finish my daughter's Halloween costume last year so I'm not a complete slacker). So you'll understand why, when I declared I was going to write a novel, the world raised a skeptical brow. However, this is more than just a fleeting obsession. This is me.

Thank you for joining me as I embark on this fantastically terrifying journey. Please feel free to comment and share your tips for maintaining some level of sanity throughout the writing process. I'm going to need every ounce of it!