For writers, the beauty of creating a free-flowing stream of words is both a skill and an armament sharpened by experience. Every creative mind that offers a fresh perspective, however, also packs a drought that hangs behind its usually sunny outset.
Prevalent reasons for writer’s block are born out of characteristics or expectations such as perfectionism, fear, distractions and even anxiety. In this article, you’ll read tricks to guide you when the pen runs out of mental ink.
Brainstorm
Some people think that writing is smooth, that all the words to frame a story can build itself in a creative whim, but writing is not that at all. Writing takes a lot of deleting, rewording, and picking apart idea after idea.
Brainstorming is an excellent exercise to refill the jug with creative juices. Ask yourself questions, and work around possible answers and scenarios for this idea to grow. Do a little research while you’re at it. And don’t forget, jot down those notes.
Write in the Best Place and Time of Day
Don’t develop a hanging-over-your-head attitude of “I have to finish my writing very soon already!” Instead, say “I’m so excited to write about this!” Your mood influences a lot of what you create, so always look forward to taking on a challenge.
The environment can influence the attitude. Greet the time of day at your springiest disposition, and begin. If you’re the type who lives for a cup of coffee at 7:00 a.m., write at your peak. If you prefer a chill, ease-into-the-evening ambiance, prepare your trusty smart typewriter, and build your mind.
Don’t be afraid to move away from your writing space if it doesn’t help. Who knows, maybe the weather can moonlight in on a new idea by the porch or drop by in the form of a cruising bird over the balcony.
Defeat Distractions
Distractions impede responsibility. And because your passion is a craft, don’t allow minor disturbances to turn into major roadblocks, whether it’s a quick game break or a phone chat that eats up an hour to most of the writing hours.
To help maintain mindfulness and concentration, do away with the miscreants. If your mobile phone is distracting you, keep it out of sight. If daydreaming trails you off, cease and desist.
While you’re getting there, keep a lookout on the time you’ve consumed from when you were supposed to start writing to the amount of work that’s accomplished. Time tracking will help you be more conscious and cautious of the objects and abstracts that tend to dominate your area and mind.
Have a Good Conversation
Contrary to chatting on the phone for the sake of a distraction, a good conversation will involve input that stimulates new insight shared by you and a friend.
In fact, go ahead and have lunch with one friend, and share your thoughts on what you want to write about. They’re more likely than not to be able to add to something you haven’t thought of yet, and you’ll glean a different perspective on the subject or rework it altogether. Either way, a good bond can create an entirely new scheme for a writing topic or add a creative touch to what was still perching.
Do Something You Love
Passion is an impetus. From food, to walks, to coffee, to music, to a short TV episode, if you’re not able to pluck the idea from its unmotivated state, get motivated first. Of course, this should not be mistreated as a form of distraction, so with doing something you love to do, always manage self-control.
Do what you love in doses. Listen to pleasant music for thirty minutes, or go walk your dog. Your brain will be chock full of dopamine by the time you’re set to work to the typewriters.
Some Incubation Required
Neil Gaiman has this to say about writer’s block: “Suggestions? Put it aside for a few days, or longer, do other things, try not to think about it. Then sit down and read it (printouts are best I find, but that’s just me) as if you’ve never seen it before. Start at the beginning. Scribble on the manuscript as you go if you see anything you want to change. And often, when you get to the end, you’ll be both enthusiastic about it and know what the next few words are. And you do it all one word at a time.”
Writing should never be a chore if it’s the art you intend on mastering. A revitalizing wordsmith is hiding behind every stationary one, and many a time, all you need to do is to spark a few plugs.
