Tips for Writers' Block

Feeling stuck? Nothing coming to mind? It happens to everyone at some point. There are days when the muse abandons you and you're on your own. Just you and the empty page.

Who is more to be pitied, a writer bound and gagged by policemen or one living in perfect freedom who has nothing to say?
-- Kurt Vonnegut

No matter how daunting this feels, crack on anyway. Everyone has different strategies for overcoming writers' block but here are a few techniques I picked up over the years:

Don't wait for inspiration

Anyone can whack out a half-decent piece when their creative juices are flowing but it takes a real writer, a dedicated warrior, to plough through the inertia. Start writing all the thoughts that flow through your mind and keep going. Don't stop to edit or you'll break the flow. If you're anal about red squiggly lines appearing under spelling mistakes, turn off that function until you're ready to tidy up the work. This stream-of-conscious writing revs up the engine of your mind, often taking you to surprising places, unearthing thoughts or memories or ideas deep within.

It is perfectly okay to write garbage as long as you edit brilliantly.
-- C. J. Cherryh

Always have a notepad with you. Always.

I have forgotten more 'great ideas' than I've saved. Jotting down a few memory prompts will help you recall the idea more fully when you eventually get near to your computer. If you're driving and suddenly get a brilliant idea, pull over and set your phone to record voice memos. If you do a lot of driving or walking or cycling, you could invest in an audio or video recorder.

Do something else

Some of the best ideas can come when you're otherwise engaged. When you're busy with other things, you're not forcing yourself to be creative. The act of doing something else can trigger a surge of inspiration. The subconscious mind holds an infinite source of material. Sometimes it needs a bit of alone time while you're concentrating on something else.

Turn up to work

Some say it's helpful to set aside a specific time each day dedicated to writing and only writing. Obviously, it's better to choose a time when the kids aren't demanding attention or when you're more likely to receive phonecalls or texts. Make this time non-negotiably yours. No interruptions allowed (excepting emergencies, of course). Put the phone on silent, turn off the messenger apps, and get down to work. Make writing a daily habit.

Sensual prompts

Activating the senses is a good way to get creative. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch. Images do it for me. I will scroll through some photos online and really try to put myself in the picture, imagine how it would feel to be there. The same for works of art. Imagine the story that could have inspired a piece of instrumental music (it's cheating if there are already lyrics) or a sculpture.

Read

In order to have output, there needs to be regular input. Read as much as you can. Not just subjects you're interested in. Try something you wouldn't normally bother with. It's amazing how a change of scenery can open up new possibilities. This is where Steemit is invaluable. There's a vast range of subjects covering just about all subjects, opening up new worlds of the imagination.

Passion

If you're passionate or opinionated about a subject, go and read the counter-arguments. Not only does this often become an education, it allows you to consider other points of view which will enrich your writing. Better still, engage with the opposition. Discussion is amazing at unpacking a subject and going much deeper.

Research

If you're writing a factual piece, you need to know your stuff. It's important to have the relevant background information and up-to-date figures. When you feel you've got enough to pad out the bones of your masterpiece, get going. Don't be tempted to surf more info out. I've lost many hours doing this. It doesn't improve the writing. When you're writing, just write. If you think a point you made could be expanded or improved, leave a note in the paragraph and research later. Plough on, keep going.

Rewards

When you open the computer, it's tempting to have a little bit of a surf, look at your social media, play a game of Spider, isn't it? Five hours later you realise you've done no writing. On the upside, you know you can beat the try not to laugh challenges on YouTube, animals really can fail and that Spider game gets on your nerves. Tell yourself you can have playtime after you've reached your word target (that's up to you to set). Sometimes the promise of a reward is enough of an incentive to get through it.

Being self-employed means you work 12 hours a day for yourself so you don't have to work 8 hours a day for someone else.
-- Oliver Markus Malloy

So, just do it.

Writing about a writer's block is better than not writing at all.
-- Charles Bukowski

If you've got any other suggestions, I'd love to hear about them in the comments below.

PS Guess who had writers' block today.