Overcoming writer’s block

Many of us have experienced it: the urge to write, but nothing – no words, no ideas – bubble up like a shaken soda ready to burst forth. Writer’s block can be compared to a slump, or a rut, or the doldrums. It can be debilitating for a writer. When strickened with writer’s block, many of us turn to other outlets to release our pent-up creative energy. Much cleaning, exercising, and reading is accomplished in an effort to avoid facing the block monster. This procrastination often just makes the block monster more threatening.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Writer’s block will happen. It’s just a fact of life. Rather than turning and running from writer’s block, meet it head on. As the Nike slogan goes: Just do it. One way to combat the lack of fizz in your writing juices is to just sit down at the computer. This first step goes along way to overcoming writer’s block. It’s much easier to write with the proper mind set than when you’re distracted by outside “noise”. Obtaining the proper writer’s mindset is often easier to accomplished at your computer or with pencil and paper. If you intend to write, the odds are better that you will write. Raking the leaves holds little promise for penning your prose.

Brainstorming is a useful tool. Just jot down all the ideas that come to your mind. Some find it helpful to set the timer for five minutes. The trick is to keep writing – don’t stop – until your time is up. Even if you have to rewrite the last word multiple times while waiting for your next thought. This tactic often forces or cajoles your memory and your imagination to spring forth with forgotten memories and new ideas.

Some find it helpful to categories all your words after brainstorming. This is called focused writing. The act of sorting terms into categories is creatively stimulating and may be motivational. You may be inspired to write your next post.

Hey, I just did.