5 Easy Ways to Overcome Writers Block

Every writer experiences writers block. There's nothing quite as frustrating and discouraging. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory. However, just because writers block is normal doesn't mean we have to suffer with it. Think about it: headaches are normal, but most of us don't just sit there in agonizing pain; we take some sort of action to alleviate it. Writers block is no different; we have to take action if we want to free ourselves of its unpleasant effects.

Below are five easy ways find relief from writers block and get those creative juices flowing.

1. Keep a book of inspiring stories with you every time you write. Reading about other writers that have successfully overcome obstacles can be enough to encourage you and awaken some great ideas.

I keep a copy of Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul on my desk at all times. Whenever I feel discouraged, I pick it up and read one of the short stories inside. It is instantly uplifting and gives me the encouragement I need to keep writing.

2. Sometimes changing your surroundings is all that's needed. When the ideas aren't coming, I get up and go into another room or outside. Usually all I have to do is grab a notebook, step out onto the balcony, and allow myself a few minutes to breathe the fresh air. After this I open my mind to any writing ideas that arise. Every idea gets written down in the notebook no matter how ridiculous it seems. After about five minutes I usually have anywhere from ten to twenty potential topics.

It's important that you do not judge the ideas, just let them flow; you'll be surprised at what you come up with. Sometimes the really wild ideas are the ones that work the best.

3. There are numerous ways to find inspiration. Send out an email to the people you know, or post a request on a forum, and ask what they are interested in reading about. Check popular news websites for topics. Open up a magazine or a book and flip through the pages or chapters, it may spark some creative ideas.

It is good to check recent magazine issues and popular news websites because it will give you an idea of what people are interested in right now. Of course I am not encouraging plagiarism. This is meant to help you find inspiration and to bring your own ideas to the surface.

4. Spend some time coming up with as many topics as you can and write them down on small pieces of paper. Fold the papers and put them in a jar. Add to the jar whenever you have an idea that can be used later. When you are experiencing a bad case of writers block, go to the jar and pull out a piece of paper and use the subject written on it.

5. Write about having writers block. It seems like an odd thing to do, but sometimes just writing can start the flow of ideas. The worst thing you can do is sit there stewing in the agony of having a blank page in front of you with no clue what to put on it. Just start writing about your lack of inspiration and eventually ideas will come.

Keep in mind that all writers experience writers block and it's not the end of the world or your career. You will get past it, you will start writing, and people will read your work. Some of your ideas will be better than others but you will always come up with ideas. Still, if you need a little boost, the next time you're stumped and the words simply are not flowing; take a deep breath, relax, and try these techniques.