1. What is one way to beat writer's block?

My general approach to writer's block is: get a general picture > ask questions about the scene > answer questions whether or not answers seem meaningful > start writing with what I now know > let the details develop. For example, in a recent chapter 3 I was working on, my main characters were delivering invitations to several rich wizards for a grand banquet. Overall, the chapter sounded like a snooze fest. So, I started asking questions. How did the wizards get their wealth? Were they moral, or corrupt? What rumors or scandals surrounded them? and so on. As my main characters started to deliver invitations, I could get into the details. Does this wizard, for example, flaunt his wealth? Does he talk to lesser people? It turned out that wizard was an egotistical jerk, and that was one kind of conflict that livened up the chapter.