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Writer’s Block – 10 Tips to Combat It
By Deb Gallardo
What To Do When You’re Suffering From Writer’s Block
This post was inspired by an article from a 2005 writer.com newsletter by Paula Guran. I was surprised by her title: “Top Ten Not-Exactly-Guaranteed Methods of Combating Writers Block (with Comments),” since this came from a writer’s site that’s been around a long time in cyber years.
Did you catch the error in her title? Six times in the newsletter she spells it “writers block.”
*Puts on teacher’s hat and begins lecture*
- Writers = more than one writer
- Writers’ = something that belongs to a group of writers
- Writer’s = something that belongs to one writer
The correct term is either “writer’s block” OR “writers’ block,” but NEVER ”writers block” unless you’re writing about a group of writers who are actively blocking an intersection.
Egregious errors aside, Paula’s actual advice wasn’t bad, although it didn’t break any new ground, either. In fact, you can probably list a few tips yourself without even seeing hers. You may even be doing many of them already. If not, consider incorporating them into your writer’s routine.
What?! You don’t have a writer’s routine? Well, right there, you have the first of
Deb’s 10 Ways To Defeat Writer’s Block
1. Establish a writing routine.
Create a series of things you do to PREPARE to write, to train yourself that when X, Y and Z happen, it’s time to write. Use this to trick, cajole or otherwise lure yourself into writing mode. Light a scented candle, turn on your mp3 player or the stereo — being respectful of others — adjust the lighting, arrange your writing area (without getting obsessive about it) along with any other little things you can do to set the tone for getting down to business.
A man in Japan wrote an entire novel on his cell phone while commuting via subway. For him, stepping into the subway car was part of his writing routine. Create your unique routine.
2. Make an appointment with yourself.
We’re all busy people. Finding time to write isn’t going to happen on its own. You must carve it out. Only you know your schedule and only you know how important writing is to you. If this is something you have always wanted to do, then prove it. Find at least 20 minutes a day. In 20 minutes of focused time you can accomplish more than you might imagine. Don’t believe me? Well, prove me wrong.
Note: Be sure to keep these daily appointments with yourself. An accountability partner may be necessary if you’re not tough enough on yourself. Remember, it takes up to 21 days to form a new habit. Beware of giving up too soon.
3. Go do something else.
(If you only have 20 minutes a day, move on to number four.) The idea is not to just sit staring at a blank screen or empty page when you’re stuck. Some people think best when their hands are immersed in warm, soapy water. Others need a cleaning rag in hand or a lawn rake.
Personally this technique only works for me when I need to work out a problem in my story, as opposed to fearing that this blockage will go on forever. See the in-depth article from “The New Yorker” archives about celebrity writer’s block here. (Link opens in new window)
4. Start a journal.
Write about your frustration, your desire to create a book, to make a difference, to gain recognition. You can pour all of this and more into a writing journal. Don’t worry about format, order or relevance to anything around it. You can make lists (linear ideas) or create a mind map (clustered ideas). This is your journal and there is no wrong or right way to do it. The important thing is that the simple act of self-expression will eventually unlock your creativity.
5. Read voraciously.
If you want to write a mystery, by all means read mysteries, but don’t neglect other genres and non-fiction. Read the newspaper — you may get inspired with an off-the-wall idea that destroys your writer’s block. Read cereal boxes, comics, biographies and classic literature. Whatever you do, read.
6. Watch movies and TV.
This kind of screen viewing is not purely for entertainment. Stories are everywhere. Allow yourself to be open to all kinds. Pay special attention to those offerings that are “based on…” novels or true stories. What events in your life could you base a story on?
7. Take a hike.
Go to the gym. Walk around the mall before it opens. If you’ve been sitting for hours on end, you need to remember that your body was designed for motion. And exercise sends oxygen to your brain — a necessary ingredient for creativity.
8. Shake up your routine.
I know this contradicts number one, but if you’re a methodical, habitual person, you may need to stir things up a bit. Go to a local coffee shop to write. You may find it too noisy at first to work on your prose, but if you combine this with journaling, the noise shouldn’t matter.
9. Have more than one writing project going at once.
This technique may not work for everyone, but if you suffer from “shiny object syndrome,” going between two projects should keep you from being totally blocked.
10. Be a people watcher.
Find a busy eatery, a mall, a park — any place you can observe people. Make notes on physical descriptions, snippets of conversation, social interactions. Then speculate on the stories behind these people. Does the bag lady have a PhD in philosophy? Is the sad-looking new mother suffering from postpartum depression? Create a mini-biography for at least one person every time you venture among strangers.
The key with all of these methods is to do something. No, I’m sorry. Moping, complaining and whining don’t count. I’ve done all of those at one time. I’m now learning to take action, because as Tony Robbins says, “Nothing happens until you take action.”
RESOURCES (Links open in new windows)
To read the archived writers.com newsletter that inspired this article, go here.
http://www.sff.net This is a genre fiction site which may specialize in science fiction and fantasy BUT it has much to offer all writers in the way of tips, tricks, articles, advice, forums and even story idea generators.
http://www.sff.net/People/LisaRC/into2.htm This sff.net page has links relating to writer’s block.
Celebrity writer’s block here.
Related Posts
- Writer’s Block: Fight it with Block Writing
- Writers – Boost Your Creativity & Overcome Writer’s Block
- Creative Writing – Break Through Mental Blocks to Release Your Creativity
- Writer’s Block – Another Kind?
- Having Trouble Writing? Work on Yourself First
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