Writer’s block is a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work, or experiences a creative slowdown. Oh yes! We writers have had it at one point or the other. Your mind turns to mush mellows, you can barely get one sentence out and of course, you have been staring at a blank page for hours. Yep! That’s writer’s block.
As bloggers, we often strive to ensure that our readers have something to engage themselves in, lest they move on to other readers, leaving us high and dry. That is the worst fear that most writes have. But what we don’t realize is that even writers are human beings and it takes a significant amount of time to come up with content that people will enjoy. Ironically enough, I also experienced writer’s block while writing about writer’s block.
This is what I did to get back in the game, something you should continue doing too.
Eliminate distractions
Distractions are a killer of creativity. That I can assure you, from experience. So, remove anything that can prevent your imagination from running. If you are always on the phone, switching it on is never enough. Curiosity will always get the better of you. Get rid of it. Well, I don’t mean throw it in the trashcan, just put it somewhere where it is not in your line of vision. That way, your ideas will flow naturally without any disturbances.
Read
Like I said in my previous post, writes were one and still are readers. You might read something that strikes up your imagination. Also, you may want to expound on something that you read elsewhere. Inspiration can strike when you least expect it.
Create a writing routine
This doesn’t work for me, but it works for everyone else I know who writes. (I wonder why?). Anyway, have times that are specifically for writing. In my case, inspiration comes anywhere and anytime, be it when I am riding the bus to work or in the middle of the night. Just ensure you have a pen and notebook to jot down ideas as they come.
Brainstorm ideas in bullet points
Before you start writing, plan your ideas in form of bullets form how you want that awesome scene to start and end as well. After that, your work will just be filling up the blanks as you go. Take it as parts of one giant awesome imaginative jigsaw puzzle.
Have group discussions
This works as well. Join a book club or discuss your ideas with someone. You never know, they may be having the piece that you require to wrap up that imaginative goodness.
Stop writing for your readers
Well, this I must emphasize because it works for me too. Thanks to a friend who advised to write for myself, I can safely say that you should first write what you will appreciate before expecting others to appreciate. It’s kinda like cooking. If you doubt your cooking, others will too.
Write at a different place and time
Sometimes, it is a good idea to write in a place you don’t do often. Sometimes I find myself writing in the kitchen. I have burnt a few meals when I was deeply engrossed but in the end, it worked, save for the burnt meals of course! Point is you sometimes find inspiration where you least expect it.
Why don’t you try them and let me know what you think in our comments section? Happy writing!