6 Easy Strategies For Chipping Away At Writer’s Block
It happens to everyone, but that shouldn’t stop you.
Stuck sitting in front of a blank page? Or perhaps worse…
Perhaps you’ve got a story or an article well underway and then suddenly —
BAM.
Stopped. Stuck. Mired. Blocked.
Take heart. We’ve all been there. Here are six simple strategies you can put into action right away to get past writers’ block.
1. Don’t wait for the right time to write
Many folks put off writing until they “feel ready.” The cruel irony then reveals that it’s fairly common to never reach that “feel ready” point.
When that happens, write whether you’re ready to or not. Write nonsense. Write a grocery shopping list. Just get momentum moving forward. Editing a rough draft — even the roughest of drafts — feels better than facing a blank page.
Don’t allow excuses to get in the way. Don’t wait until you’ve finished all your research. You can always incorporate research and other details into your piece after you’ve pushed out that first rough draft or two.
2. Don’t get bogged down with overpreparation
I know a lot of writers who start with an outline. Outlines can be incredibly helpful in keeping your thoughts on track. Just the same, there’s no iron-clad rule that says you can’t begin writing before you know everything that you intend to say.
The writing process is creative and interactive. Your ideas will develop and grow as you get the writing in motion.
You can always go back and edit later.
3. Write in mini-bursts
Too busy for long blocks of time to write? Does your attention wander too much over a stretch of time? Try working in short, mini-bursts of time spread out over the day. By the end of the day, you may find your productivity hasn’t been hurt, and you’re writing more.
How long is a mini-burst? Let’s say more than one minute, but less than five. At least start with that. You can fine-tune and adjust your mini-bursts as you see fit. If you find yourself on a roll, who am I to say stop?
4. Set a regular writing time
Still feeling stuck? Instead of the whim-like approach of mini-burst writing, try to avoid treating writing as an optional activity. Approach it like any other job you have to do — something that can’t be postponed. If you work from home, designate a work area that is dedicated solely to writing. Treat it like an office.
Set a daily alarm to remind you, if necessary. Put the block of time (like an hour at least) into your planner or calendar. Notify roommates, partners, children, and other pets that you’ll be busy for that hour and are not to be disturbed.
5. Talk it out
Don’t look at writing as a purely solo activity. If you’re stuck, getting an outside perspective may help. Find someone you feel comfortable with and have a conversation about your work. It could be general or very specific — whatever suits you best. This could be the very thing you need to return to your writing with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.
Depending on the conversation, you may even learn something new you can use or get some new ideas on how to handle your topic.
6. Stay fresh — mix it up
Everyone gets a bit worn out after a while.
Unfortunately, fatigue can have an impact on your writing and result in low-quality work. If you’re feeling like you need a change, switch up the time of the day you write. For example, if you’re beginning to find that writing late into the night isn’t working for you any longer, try waking up early and getting in a few hours in the morning. If working from home isn’t yielding results, try the library or local coffee shop (it’s a cliche for a reason).
Writing can be a challenge at times, but a lot of that challenge is in how you approach it. Try these simple, quick tips and see where they take you.
Have a great writing session!
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