I admire people who can make the brackets method work for them! I've tried it a few times, but having the brackets there distracts me so much that I really can't concentrate on writing.

Writing sequentially ends up boxing me in sometimes. I get stuck in this mindset that I "have to" write scenes in order, and it's always miraculous revelation for me to realize that actually, no I don't. I think sequence might be what's causing my problem at the moment; I'm finding myself bogged down by introductory exposition, and I want to get away from it for a while.

Thanks for the great advice! :)