Summary

The text provides strategies for overcoming writer's block, emphasizing the importance of daily writing practice and self-awareness.

Abstract

The article addresses the common issue of not knowing what to write, a challenge faced by many writers. It suggests four strategies to overcome this hurdle: keeping a journal to reflect on daily events, writing about memorable personal experiences, using the uncertainty about what to write as the subject itself, and taking a 'cheat' day to rest and replenish creative energy. The author shares personal experiences and emphasizes that writing about oneself can be a comfortable and insightful topic. The article encourages writers to embrace the process of writing without pressure, suggesting that even on 'cheat' days, engaging in activities like reading or spending time with loved ones can inspire future writing.

Opinions

Journaling is recommended as a method to maintain a consistent writing habit, even when lacking specific topics to write about.
Reflecting on and writing about personal, memorable events is seen as a valuable source of writing material.
Writing about the struggle of finding a topic can paradoxically generate content and help to clarify one's thoughts.
The author believes that it's acceptable and beneficial to take occasional breaks from writing to avoid burnout and rejuvenate creativity.
Writing is viewed as a process that should not be rushed, and taking time off can lead to new ideas and perspectives.

What do I write today?

A question we ask ourselves at least once in our writing career.

One day, you sit down in front of your laptop. You are ready to write something. Maybe the writing is not for publishing, only for your practice. You look at the blank page on the screen. And you don’t know where to start.

Some days, we don’t know which topic we should pick. Sometimes, we get stuck with ideas to write.

It is normal. I believe many of us have been through this problem at least once.

For me, I like writing, and I practice it every day. Sometimes I feel like this when I don’t know what I should write. Then I find out four ways below to overcome this problem. It can help me to solve the puzzle.

#1: Journal

Writing journal is an excellent way to start if you don’t know what to write about. You can spend 5–10 minutes to think about what happened around you yesterday. You can think of how you feel during the day. Or you can express your feeling to the main events that occurred as a new pair of shoes were delivered to you and you love them.

Journal is an excellent way to keep you writing. I have started writing journal for several months, and I found it helpful to me. When I don’t see any new insights to write about, I only need to type a few paragraphs about what happened the day before. Then I could start expanding each section with some sentences about what I think about that event. Sometimes, I got a new idea for my next posts from my journal.

#2: Write about the most memorable events

It is similar to the first solution, but not writing journal. I always tell myself that I am still a topic to write about. I don’t find anything more comfortable than writing about myself.

I chose the most memorable events of my life to think of and to write about when I don’t know what I should write. It can be the best moment when I graduated or my wedding. It can be the saddest moment when I was refused to be granted a scholarship for my further study. It also can be the most embarrassing moment when I was a child, and I stepped on the stage to receive a prize with my class in an art contest without pants or shorts.

When thinking about the chosen moment, you can start thinking of who was there, what happened, why do you think that is the most memorable event in your life.

We are always a topic of ourselves.

#3: Write about you don’t know what to write

It may be silly. But I think it is an excellent way to start when you want to write. You can start with “Today I don’t know what to write”. It is one sentence.

Then you leave a question in your head that why that happens. Or you can write down that question. Then you have two sentences. Put other questions to expand the story. Questions by questions, I believe you can write at least 200 words with that. Just a short piece of paper, but it is a good way to reinstate your ideas. Based on how I feel on that day, I can explain why I don’t have anything to write. It can keep me writing.

#4: Take your ‘cheat’ day

I am a fan of writing daily. But, when you don’t find anything to write, that can be a sign your brain wants to tell you: “Hey, give me a day off”. If so, don’t push your mind too hard and allow it to take a break.

It is good to refresh your mind. One day off is not a big deal. It is similar to when you work a 9–5 job, you have a few leave days per year, or when you follow a workout program, you have your rest days, or your cheat day. It is always fine to have a ‘cheat’ day for your writing.

It is a good time for you to recreate your productivity like you recover your muscles after a long week of intensive workouts. You can spend your day with your family, your love, or your friends. You can go somewhere to discover new things. You can use the time to read books, or blog, or listen to the podcast or any other things that may interest you, or you feel they can educate you. Or simply, have a cup of tea and enjoy the day.

During the ‘cheat’ day, you can find something interesting and maybe the next day, you have new idea(s) to write.

Writing is not a tournament. It is a long process. Don’t rush to write when you have nothing in your heads. One day off is a fantastic solution.

When you do not know what to write, it is similar to you do not know what to do at the workplace, or do not feel like doing anything on a random day. Finding solutions for that is not difficult. The importance is that for each solution, you can find joy and happiness when you do that. You can smile when you write journals, or when you think of the funniest moment of your life. You can feel enjoyable when you take one day off from writing to refresh yourselves.

All is what I wrote today. So, how about you? What do you write today?