Wipe Out Writer

Wipe Out Writer's Block with 5 Simple Steps

Writer's block seems to be a considerable problem all writers struggle with. No matter their level of experience or history of great ideas, all writers experience the phenomena of "writer's block" from time to time. Writer's block can hinder your writing no matter what genre you write in. You sit with a blank notepad for an hour, or stare at that seemingly forever-blinking cursor on your screen. As a freelance writer or author, you have deadlines to meet. You have to write, but the block is stopping you. The cause could be a number of things, such as stress, lack of idea stimulation, or just about anything else. If you can get to the cause of your writer's block, you can cure it. Even if you can't figure out what is causing your writer's block, there are tricks you can use to wake up your brain and overcome that blockage.

Here are 5 tips and tricks to help you on your writing journey:

1. Take Notes:
Take a notepad and writing utensil or two with you everywhere you go. You can carry it in your pocket, purse, or briefcase. When an idea hits when you are away from home, you can whip out your notepad and jot it down before the idea gets away. Make sure you pull over in your car should you get an idea driving. You could also use a digital recorder to record your thoughts and ideas if you are better at thinking while speaking. You could also use an old-fashioned cassette recorder. Whichever method works best for you is the way to go!

2. Brainstorm:
Sit somewhere comfortable. It could be at home, in a cafe, park, or even a quiet parking lot - just as long as it is somewhere you feel peaceful and safe. Take your laptop, a notepad, or your recorder and start brainstorming. Just let it flow out of you. Do not edit your words or phrases. Just write it or say it. You can edit later. Be sure to write down the thoughts that pop into your head even the ones that might seem unrelated. No one else will see it, so just jot everything down! You might be surprised at the ideas that come to you when the pressure to be logical is gone.

3. Write!
Just write - write anything and everything. Set a period of time; perhaps five, ten, or fifteen minutes and just keep moving the pen over the paper or keep tapping those keyboard keys. Write about your first day of school, your first pet, how you met your spouse, having your child, describe your favorite pair of socks - anything. Just write anything that comes to mind. Don't stop to worry about grammar or spelling or clear handwriting, or even how your story is sounding. Just write! This will help get your brain get around the block. Just let the words flow out of you without any editing.

4. Do Something Else:
Take a break. Take a walk, exercise, play a game, watch your favorite show, take a nap, etc. Do something else for a little while, and if you can, take a day off. Sometimes taking yourself away from writing altogether can help you to clear the slate so that you can go back to face that blank page or blinking cursor without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Read:
Ah, the study of the work we do. Pick up your favorite book, a newspaper, or a novel that you have been meaning to read. Curl up on the couch or your bed, and just read. It doesn't matter what kind of material you read, and it doesn't have to be in the genre in which you write.

Keep practicing these tricks, and you just may find yourself questioning how you ever let a writer's block get the best of you!

Resources:

http://www.writersblock.com/

http://www.writersblock.ca/

http://www.43folders.com/2004/11/18/hack-your-way-out-of-writers-block

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/567/01/