Today, scheduled on my to-do list, was to write an article for one of my blogs. Normally, this is a task I get through just fine and have no problems with. This time I found myself bopping between each blog, browsing for ideas, and coming up with nothing.
I’ve already written on so many topics for my hobby blogs, that it takes a bit of creativity to think up a new topic. I’m in the ‘dry’ phase for blogs however, and nothing came up no matter how much I thought about it.
That’s when I realized that writer’s block is a great topic to discuss here on my writing blog.
For the cause of writer’s block, I’m going to pass on a really great link from writers.com about writer’s block in general. The first section talks about a Yale study on writer’s block and what it’s composition is. I don’t think I can do better, so read it here.
On how to fix it, here’s my best tips.
Free Write
I am actually currently doing one of the best ways to end writer’s block right now. You set a timer, and for that amount of time you write something, anything, even if it’s just “I don’t know what to write” over and over again.
There’s something about the physical act of writing that can break down that mental block and free you up for the serious writing. It’s working right now, is it not? Here’s half an article right here.
Free Yourself from Editing
Admit it. There’s an author you read who you know no matter how hard you strive, you’ll never touch their feet in skill level. Jim Butcher is that author for me. When I read his Harry Dresden series, magic felt so real that I had to give his signature fire spell a try to see if it would happen. (No, it didn’t. Sigh.)
When we’ve seen the beauty of another person’s polished draft and then look at our own draft—well it kinda looks like a dumpster fire. It can stagnate our writing because we want the finished draft to flow from our finger tips right now.
Lock that editor up in a closet, and just write. Earnest Hemmingway famously said, “The first draft of anything is shit.” He’s not wrong. Let it be a dumpster fire. Let it be messy. Leave those plot holes. Don’t question why your character walked into a dark alley by herself. Embrace it.
Plenty of time for editing later. For now, just write!
Prompts
Finally, using a writing prompt can often spark something if nothing else works. I used to have a wonderful book shaped like a block, that was called…The Writer’s Block! (I actually dug around on Amazon until I found it again. It’s here. Yes, it’s an affiliate link. No, you don’t have to buy it.)
The book was packed with incredible prompts, and you could choose one and write on that to help jump start things.
What are your favorite ways to get over writer’s block?