8 Ways to Overcome Writer's Block
April 22nd 2010 13:14
There it is again -- the brick wall we can't knock down. Mental block happens when we're exhausted, when we're at a dead end, when we're stuck. A simple refresher is all that's needed.
My work involves a lot of writing. The following tips work great for me. Here are eight ideas to help you overcome writer's block. Hope this helps get your creative juices flowing too!
1. Take a shower. Water helps cleanse the mind. Being physically refreshed may help shake off that rut you were in to. I find that some great ideas come to me while I'm showering. Maybe it's because I'm not thinking of anything else, just enjoying the water, and then boom! Perhaps the best ideas come when we're not thinking about them. Ideas can be sneaky!
2. Take a walk. Go for a stroll around the neighborhood. Keep the senses open to what you're experiencing. Perhaps something will strike your attention and inspire you. Sometimes all you need is fresh air too.
3. Nap. Rest those eyes, rest that brain. RECHARGE.
4. Brainstorm. Two heads are better than one -- sometimes. With cases of mental block, having a chat with someone else can help get those juices a-flowin' again.
5. Refer to your Idea Journal. This assumes you have one. If you don't have one, create one! An Idea Journal is precisely that -- a collection of random thoughts and ideas you may have. Jot down stories, quotes. Doodle. Cut out images from magazines and paste them into this notebook. When you're stumped, go through this journal. I carry mine everywhere I go!
6. Do something else! Finish your chores. Play a Facebook game. Play with the baby. Read a book. Feed the dog. Do cartwheels. Run naked through the woods. Okay maybe not that last one. Just get away from wherever you are and do something else. Forget about that piece you can't finish and just put your mind someplace else. Go back to your piece later.
7. Listen to music. Step away from anything in the written form. Put on some songs, close your eyes, and let your thoughts get lost in the music. I find that alternative rock (specifically from the '90s) helps me write better at work, and classical music helps with my creative pieces. Finding out what specific genre helps you makes for a fun experiment.
8. Change your writing environment. Getting away from your computer can help get rid of writer's rut, but so can changing your location. New places can provide fresh perspectives. Quiet mornings at a coffee shop near my office works for me.
How do you get rid of writer's block? Share your tips and tricks!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrgh!
Image by e-magic
My work involves a lot of writing. The following tips work great for me. Here are eight ideas to help you overcome writer's block. Hope this helps get your creative juices flowing too!
1. Take a shower. Water helps cleanse the mind. Being physically refreshed may help shake off that rut you were in to. I find that some great ideas come to me while I'm showering. Maybe it's because I'm not thinking of anything else, just enjoying the water, and then boom! Perhaps the best ideas come when we're not thinking about them. Ideas can be sneaky!
Image by Toni Blay
2. Take a walk. Go for a stroll around the neighborhood. Keep the senses open to what you're experiencing. Perhaps something will strike your attention and inspire you. Sometimes all you need is fresh air too.
Image by MorBCN
3. Nap. Rest those eyes, rest that brain. RECHARGE.
Image by WASABIdesign
4. Brainstorm. Two heads are better than one -- sometimes. With cases of mental block, having a chat with someone else can help get those juices a-flowin' again.
Image by reNET
5. Refer to your Idea Journal. This assumes you have one. If you don't have one, create one! An Idea Journal is precisely that -- a collection of random thoughts and ideas you may have. Jot down stories, quotes. Doodle. Cut out images from magazines and paste them into this notebook. When you're stumped, go through this journal. I carry mine everywhere I go!
Image by shewatchedthesky
6. Do something else! Finish your chores. Play a Facebook game. Play with the baby. Read a book. Feed the dog. Do cartwheels. Run naked through the woods. Okay maybe not that last one. Just get away from wherever you are and do something else. Forget about that piece you can't finish and just put your mind someplace else. Go back to your piece later.
Image by D Sharon Pruitt
7. Listen to music. Step away from anything in the written form. Put on some songs, close your eyes, and let your thoughts get lost in the music. I find that alternative rock (specifically from the '90s) helps me write better at work, and classical music helps with my creative pieces. Finding out what specific genre helps you makes for a fun experiment.
Image by A.Ddiction
8. Change your writing environment. Getting away from your computer can help get rid of writer's rut, but so can changing your location. New places can provide fresh perspectives. Quiet mornings at a coffee shop near my office works for me.
Image by cobalt123
How do you get rid of writer's block? Share your tips and tricks!
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This is how mine turned out:
