Writers Block - What To Do About It

Some Solutions to Writers Block

Writers block! The dreaded condition where a writer wants or needs to write but can't. It happens to all of us to one degree or another. It seems to strike almost at random. Writers block also comes in degrees. With luck, your block will be short and easy to fix. Sometimes, however, the block can go on longer, requiring more drastic action.

Here are some symptoms and solutions for you to consider:

Fear of the blank page (or screen) can cause writers block

Fear of the blank page or screen is most likely to happen to beginners. As our expertise grows, we learn that simply writing something on a page is often enough to get us started. So write something, anything, and see what happens. 

Simple fatigue can create writers block

Don't overlook fatigue. If you have been working hard for days, or haven't been sleeping well, you may just need rest. Writing can take more out of us than we realize.

In my experience, there are two types of fatigue that can lead to temporary writers block. The first comes from not getting enough rest; the second has to do with not taking enough breaks during the writing process.

Remember to breathe!

Seriously, several deep breaths can sometimes open the flood gates of creativity. Sitting at the computer often means slouching. Our breaths get shallower and our minds gum up. So stand up, stretch, breathe. And when you sit back down, sit tall and remember to keep breathing deeply, from your belly.

Incidentally, if you're not drinking enough water, try adding a glass or two a day. Water seems to lubricate the brain as well as the rest of the body. Proper breathing and good hydration can completely cure writers block.

Change your state

Long hours at the computer tend to deaden you physically and mentally, and that deadening leads straight to writers block.

Get up. Stretch. Take a walk. Go to the gym. Make a phone call. Do the dishes. Chances are something will clarify and you can get back to writing again. For example, I actually had to stop and do the dishes, a chore I avoid as much as I can, before I could really get a good start on this article.

It usually takes some physical action to change your state enough to get writing again. Television doesn't do it, but going to the movies might because you have to get out of the house. In fact, I find a regular exercise program seems to help me avoid writers block.

If you usually write at the computer, try writing by hand, or visa versa. Each requires a slightly different portion of the brain, and that may be enough to solve the problem.

Sleep on it

Sleeping on idea lets your unconscious go to work. The surest way to tap into your unconscious is overnight, and letting the writing go for a day can often end writers block.

An idea may come in a dream, or be there when you wake up. A nap may work too, although, unless you sleep deeply, you probably aren't as close to your unconscious during a nap than at night.

Work on the idea

Once in a while an idea arrives whole. With relatively little work you can sit down and dash off a short piece with ease and elegance. But more often, ideas come unformed. Ideas tend to be big, loopy things that need pruning or honing to get to their center.

My rule of thumb is if I can't write the purpose of the work, short of long, in 10 words or less, the idea needs more work. The purpose of this article, for instance, is: to explore the solutions to writers block.

Another trick for clarifying ideas is to do a simple outline. It doesn't have to follow the outline rules you learned in school - just a list can work.

Talk about the writers block - even talk to it

Talking about a problem really can help, if you've got someone who understands. Another writer is ideal, in person, on the phone or even online.

Another trick is to talk to the block itself. You can address your block and ask it what it wants or what it's waiting for or what it needs to know to go away. If you're quiet and listen internally you may be surprised at the answer you get.

Talk about the idea

Talking through the idea with someone you trust often helps break up writers block. In this case, it needs to be someone who mostly just listens. The sound of your own voice may help you break through to clarify the idea so you can get back to work. I've even had occasional success telling my cat my idea.

Writers groups

Breaking through writers block is a good reason to belong to a writing group of some sort. Chances are you'll hear something that will help. You can also tell the group your problem and get lots of suggestions.

Counseling

Writers block can, if it goes on and on for weeks and months, be a sign of deeper problems. Working with a professional counselor may be in order.

Write well and often,