That Darn Writers" Block
Writers Block. These two words alone can bring fear to any writer in the world. When you sit down to write and no words come to you... an hour goes by and the blank page is still staring at you. It's every writers' worst nightmare. There is some good news - it doesn't have to be this way.
First off, never berate yourself or your writing ability. You will find that when you sit down next to write that the "block" is worse than before. You are putting too much pressure on yourself, and your writing. Look back to a time when the words poured from you pen - when you are relaxed and calm, your writing flows from you naturally. It's never forced.
Keep a notebook with you at all times to record any thoughts or ideas you may have throughout the day. This works well if you don't have much time to write, you are easily able to write down any inspired thoughts so that when you next sit down to write, you will have somewhere to start. Once you start writing from one of these reference points you will find that you will ease up, relax and the words will start flowing again.
Another trick in the war against Writers' Block is to just start writing when you find yourself staring at a blank page. It doesn't have to be about anything in particular or even related to the story or article you are stuck on. Just start writing. Even if you just write something along the lines of "Have no idea what to write. Haven't been able to write in ages - in fact it's getting a bit annoying".
You see once you start to write (even if it is just random thoughts at the time), you are in the process of writing. You may continue on from there to recount something that happened earlier in the day or even write about a childhood memory. Whatever you write, it is still 'writing' - even if it doesn't relate to what you want to write. You may find that after a few minutes that you are able to move onto a story you are working on or you may even be inspired to write something completely new.
I find that writing like this every day is a good way to "keep up" with your writing, even when you have nothing to write about. At times it may feel as if these writings are like a journal. In fact, in a way they are. They are your personal thoughts and feelings about various topics. Save these writings for another time you feel as if the dreaded Writers' Block is sneaking upon you. You never know, hidden inside you mundane observations of 'being unable to write' you may come across a hidden gem for your next masterpiece.
First off, never berate yourself or your writing ability. You will find that when you sit down next to write that the "block" is worse than before. You are putting too much pressure on yourself, and your writing. Look back to a time when the words poured from you pen - when you are relaxed and calm, your writing flows from you naturally. It's never forced.
Keep a notebook with you at all times to record any thoughts or ideas you may have throughout the day. This works well if you don't have much time to write, you are easily able to write down any inspired thoughts so that when you next sit down to write, you will have somewhere to start. Once you start writing from one of these reference points you will find that you will ease up, relax and the words will start flowing again.
Another trick in the war against Writers' Block is to just start writing when you find yourself staring at a blank page. It doesn't have to be about anything in particular or even related to the story or article you are stuck on. Just start writing. Even if you just write something along the lines of "Have no idea what to write. Haven't been able to write in ages - in fact it's getting a bit annoying".
You see once you start to write (even if it is just random thoughts at the time), you are in the process of writing. You may continue on from there to recount something that happened earlier in the day or even write about a childhood memory. Whatever you write, it is still 'writing' - even if it doesn't relate to what you want to write. You may find that after a few minutes that you are able to move onto a story you are working on or you may even be inspired to write something completely new.
I find that writing like this every day is a good way to "keep up" with your writing, even when you have nothing to write about. At times it may feel as if these writings are like a journal. In fact, in a way they are. They are your personal thoughts and feelings about various topics. Save these writings for another time you feel as if the dreaded Writers' Block is sneaking upon you. You never know, hidden inside you mundane observations of 'being unable to write' you may come across a hidden gem for your next masterpiece.
