So you are having a writer's block.
If you are working on an article and just can't make yourself finish it or if you want to write a new article and just can't think of what to write about these simple tips just might be your solution.
20 Tips on How to Overcome Writer's Block
by samsara
Having a writer's block? These tips will help you relax and get your writng juices flowing again!
1. Reboot your brain with a cat nap
As any computer your brain sometimes just needs a reboot. Take a 20 to 30 minute cat nap (power nap) in a dark silent place and when you wake up your brain will be fully operational and you will feel revitalized.
 Cat Nap |
2. Give your brains some oxygen
Get out and run! Have a bike? Go cycling. Take your time and have some heavy exercises to get your blood pumping.
 Yoga |
3. Relaxing workout
Yoga or Tai Chi can be great for relieving stress and get your body into the balance.
4. Choose not to write anything
Decide not to write anything! Don't think about writing anything. Just enjoy the day and ideas might just come to you spontaneously.
5. Draw a doodle
Take a piece of paper and a pen. Start drawing lines and just let your hand take control. This is very relaxing and you might just get an idea out of your doodle.
6. Concentrate on your other hobbies
There must be something besides writing that you enjoy doing. If you like fishing, take a day of and go for a fishing trip. If you like painting, take your easel, canvas and brushes and go out and paint. You might start writing a new article about your hobbies soon.
7. Brainstorm your article
If you have an article already but just can't make yourself finish it, take a piece of paper and a few pens (the more colorful the merrier). Draw a bubble chart of things you need to do and write down your ideas. Sometimes putting things on a piece of paper is easier than writing it on a computer or a typewriter.
 Keep it lively |
8. Experience your articles
You probably are writing about subjects you are familiar with, but some things or memories of experiences can get a bit vague. Re-experience them. Foe example if you own a dog and are writing an article about how it was when you had a puppy it might be the right time to visit the animal shelter and ask if you can offer your help for a day.
9. Stumble upon new article ideas
And you can literately use StumbleUpon. Browse through random articles on-line. Read what interests you and you might get some fresh ideas on what to write about.
10. Writing a novel? Give it a read!
If you are writing a story or book and you got stuck give it a read. Sit in your favorite chair, pour yourself some wine (or any other favorite drink) and read your novel as you would any other book. Read it slow and enjoy it. You might get a way on how to continue it when you reach that point.
11. Read other books
Read books. Reading will open up your mind.
12. Talk with other people
If you are writing about specific topics it is always good to get more viewpoints, and where better to get them than from complete strangers! Go to online chat-rooms and chat.
13. Call a dear friend
Talking with friends is a good cure for almost everything.
 Call |
14. Change your environment
Always writing things in the same room at the same desk? Try something new, go write at an internet cafe, your porch or even on the mountains.
15. A cup of coffee or a cup of tea
Sometimes that's all you will need.
16. Eliminate probable causes
Do you have an idea on what could be causing your writer's block? Eliminate it (and I do not mean destroy)! It could be noises outside, stress, lack-age of time. Whatever it is think more about the solution rather than the problem itself.
17. Observe and get your inspiration
If you lost your inspiration and have an idea block take a stroll to the city and turn on all your senses, smell, feel, watch, listen and well taste too. Go to your favorite cafe order your favorite drink sit down enjoy and observe. People are amazing you can see tons of situations, behaviors, interactions and emotions if you take your time to observe
18. Stop thinking about it
The fact that you know you have a writer's block only makes it worse. Stop thinking about it.
19. Write!
Might sound silly as you have writer's block but one way to unblock it is to simply write. Write something completely off (your) topic. Start a blog and make random posts.
20. Write a comment
You could start on this page :). Writing a comment is writing after all. There you have it your writer's block is cured :).
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Comments
Number 11 always worked for me. A good book always gave me inspiration for at least three stories.
Since i stopped writing full length novels I never experienced real block. My biggest problem in last years is lack of time, so a lot of ideas can't be realized and inspiration simply vanishes...
Thanks for the list. It can certainly come handy at some point:)
Good tips, Samsara!
We all need a little bit of inspiration sometimes.
21 sounds rather familiar :)
21, Spend three days writing about something that you personally enjoy, but don't think anyone else will. Then be sad when no-one else does. LOL Ok, that's a silly addition, but it's precisely what I did when I had writers' block last week.
Your suggestions are much more sensible! Thanks for writing this.
You're right with number 20. Sometimes, I try to make myself think hard when writing a comment. A downfall is that a more extensive comment takes more time up, especially during my morning routine, but sometimes, it's worth it.
Most of these tips I have seen in one place or another, but I really need to try StumbleUpon one day, even if it is for only a few minutes.