If you are experiencing writer’s block, keep this in mind: You’re not alone. Writer’s block happens to almost everyone, says Stephanie Palmer.
Break Through Writer’s Block
Here are the concluding 8 ways to unblock yourself and put your creativity back to work.
11. Go On A Media Fast
Don’t watch TV or movies, read books or magazines, or listen to podcasts or news. Take a break from consuming information and stories.
It’s amazing how much time and mental space you’ll realize you have, and when you make space, new ideas come in….
12. Take A Class That’s Not About Writing
Use your writing time to enroll in a weekly class that interests you, like: photography, painting, improv comedy, rock climbing, krav maga, cooking, salsa dancing, or playing guitar.
13. Write In A New Environment
Famed writing teacher Natalie Goldberg is a big proponent of writing outside your home.
Some locations for you to consider:
- A local café
- The library
- A park
- The airport
14. Write With Other Tools
Most writers work on computer or typewriter. Here are some alternatives:
- Pen and paper
- Audio recorder (then transcribe)
- Voice recognition apps: Dragon Naturally Speaking 11 (for PC), Dragon Dictate 2.5 for Mac.
15. Prompt Yourself
Sometimes, you can shake up the problem by speculating from a prompt you give yourself:
Try prompts like:
- What I’m trying to say here is (_____).
- What I really want to write about is (_____).
- The exact wrong thing to happen here would be (_____).
16. Create A New Title
One of the ways to figure out how to move forward with your project is to retitle it. Create several possible titles and test them on your friends to see what stands out.
For a more detailed title-creation process, see Chapter 10 of Good in a Room: How to Sell Yourself and Your Ideas and Win Over Any Audience.
17. Hold The Question
“Holding the question” is a targeted form of incubation. Rather than completely removing your attention from the project, ask yourself a specific question throughout the day, e.g.:
- What Act III “battle scene” best exemplifies my theme?
- What would be a good introductory scene for my hero?
18. Break Down The Project Into Smaller Pieces
Mark Twain said, “The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”
Here are some smaller tasks that I have found to be helpful:
- Organize project files
- Brainstorm new ideas about (____)
- Research (____)
For more ideas about how to break complex projects down into manageable tasks, see David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.
Hang In There
Approach your block like a period of incubation. Let your mind take an active rest. Use the techniques above to encourage development and growth.
That’s how you get the most of the experience, get back on track quickly, and keep your creative juices flowing.
