At some point in every writer's career, they will experience some form of writer's block. Whether it is the inability to come up with an idea, struggling for the right words or a lack of motivation to write at all, each writer must learn to work through the difficult periods. Having a handful of tips and tricks to help get back on track is the best defense against these times.
Just Write
This may seem simple enough, but often, writers bring themselves to a point where nothing they put on the page will make them happy. When the pressure is heavy, deadlines are near, or you've written seven articles in one day, sometimes even the word "and" is enough to make you throw your laptop against a wall. In these situations, the best solution is to stop thinking about it, and just write. Write everything down. Thoughts, recipes, baby names, an idea for another article or story. Every time another line is written, it brings the writer back to focus. The less you stress about writing, the more ideas will come out. Before you know it, the article/story/poem/technical manual will be done, and you can take a nap.
Walk Away
The toughest thing about deadlines is that often you're dealing with no time to take a breather from what's going on. But at times, that may be just what is needed. If you've been sitting in front of the computer for three hours and written one sentence, it may be the best time to go for a walk. Is it a nice day? Maybe the fresh air will bring out a positive vibe and in turn your inner muse. Is it raining? Walk around the office or house and listen to the sounds you encounter. Or go outside and jump in puddles. The important thing is to walk away.
Inspire Yourself
Anything can be used to inspire you. Playing with your kids or dog, browsing the internet for funny pictures or the latest news, or going shopping can all be great ways to get inspired. Many writers get their best ideas when they are no where near a computer, typewriter or notebook. When you do have a genius thought, write it down, tell someone or call yourself and leave a message. When you get home, you might just have enough to complete that masterpiece.
Writing Prompts
No one wants to say that they need writing prompts to get their juices flowing, but the fact is, many, if not most writers will, on occasion need to use them. They offer a great chance to get away from having to think up ideas, as well as giving your brain a vacation from whatever else you're working on. Many book stores offer writing prompt books, and several internet sights will also offer different subjects to write about. Who knows, maybe a prompt could turn into the next New York Times Bestseller, and have your name on it.
Keep a Journal
Yeah, yeah, all the writer's block articles include this one. And there's a reason for that. It works. Having a journal gets you used to writing everyday and can spark story ideas and writing sessions. And who knows, maybe your journal would make a fine memoir someday.
No matter what method you choose to cure your writer's block, remember, it's about breaking through the fear. Be confident, write without editing, and remember, even Shakespeare was a flop in his time. You never know if you don't write it.
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