Knock Your Writer’s Block Off

How Do You Write Around the Block?

We’ve all been there, staring at a blank screen, wondering what to say. In that moment all I can think is ‘perhaps this is it, perhaps I’ve emptied my brain of words for good this time’. Writer’s block comes down to a low point for inspiration and creativity, both of which humans possess in endless supply.

I did some research and compiled a list of tips to help in those moments of blank-screen panic.

5 Tips to Subdue the Block

1. Try the web – My personal favorite is Stumbleupon (fellow Safari users, in order to use Stumbleupon you need to download a hack at Toolbarless Stumbleupon), there is an endless supply of entertainment online, try Google video and flickr too.

2. Travel – Getting outside of your comfort zone sharpens your mind and encourages growth. Go as far as you can, because seeing, experiencing and appreciating new things never fails to inspire the creative soul.

3. Collaborate – Working with another creative mind is never easy, but nothing good ever is. If you can find the right consort the results are usually worth the bother.

4. Alter your state of mind – Sometimes it takes a chemical change. Soda, coffee, even a beer, whatever gets your brain firing.

5. Fake it ’till you make it – There is power in positive thinking, and writer’s block is ultimately a dip in creative confidence. Trust in the concept of a self fulfilling prophecy. If you think it is so, than so it shall be.

10 More Tips to Loose Your Writer’s Block

1. Write one word – Sometimes all it takes to get the juices flowing is to have something, on the page in front of you.

2. Write about the frustration of not being able to write – Turn it into something constructive, find a way to build a post (or even a book) around it.

3. Try writing the old fashioned way – Switching up your routine can inspire growth, sit someplace different with a pen and paper and see what comes to you.

4. Talk to someone who stimulates you – Exchanging ideas with someone whose brain you admire is challenging and encourages development.

5. Read something – Seems obvious enough, if you are empty of words that means you need to fill back up, read anything you can get your hands on.
5a) Or you could take it a step further and read something that you know will rub you the wrong way. Emotion creates inspiration.

6. Write an email – Writing a chatty email to one of your pals can get the words flowing and warm your typing fingers up.

7. Exercise – I compose some of my most influential writing when I’m putting my running shoes to good use.

8. Look through your half-finished work – We all have it, sometimes finding a good idea left half-finished can renew interest in its completion.

9. Play some music – Music has immense creative power, try streaming Pandora on your computer.

10. Walk away – If all else fails, sign off. Don’t torture yourself, that won’t create anything but an unhappy you.

If none of the above work, perhaps this will:

Bonus tip number 1: Check out Free Rice to sharpen your word skills.

Bonus tip number 2: Tip number 5 is to read, try subscribing to my feed to help knock the block off.