How to Avoid Writer’s Block

As a fellow writer, I’m sure you’ve experienced writer’s block at some point in your life. And it’s the worst if you are on deadline. The blank page stares at you, and you simply cannot think of one thing to write down.

Then, you get sidetracked by your kids, a snack in the refrigerator, doing laundry, the phone, e-mails, etc. Basically, every activity can seem more important than your writing obligations when you have writer’s block. But I have a trick I use if this happens to you:

Write down anything that comes to mind!

That’s right. Just start writing down anything and everything that comes to mind. You’ll end up with a lot of gibberish on your page. But suddenly, your brain will kick into action and be ready to write your assignment.

It also helps if you have some kind of outline handy. This way, you can skip to a different area on your outline that may flow a little more freely from your brain. You can always come back to the portion you skipped on another day.

And if this doesn’t work, maybe you are just burned out. Perhaps you really do need to take a break from writing for a while.

If this is the case, try to take a quick nap (be sure to set an alarm) or spend some time in a quiet, outdoor setting. By taking a moment to yourself to recharge, you will be more likely to return to your keyboard or pen with fresh thoughts, ideas and energy.

For more helpful tips on overcoming writer’s block, take a look at these sites:

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/block.html

http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/writingroadblocks/tp/block.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer's_Block

And if you have questions, comments or suggestions, feel free to contact me below. Thanks!