Curing Writers Block: Ways to Relax and Become Inspired

Every writer has dealt with it at least once, if not more, in their writing career. I'm talking about Writers Block. For those unfamiliar with writers block, it is perhaps the most distressing aspect of writing. There you are, typing or writing right along when bam, you hit the proverbial wall. You're stunned and you're just trying to find where the wall ends so you can continue on. I, personally, have dealt with this as of recently and felt like sharing a few methods that helped me climb the block and continue my writing.

Take a walk, it's as simple as that. I love doing this any time of year. In my region, we get beautiful, lush summers and snow globe worthy winters. I use these as inspiration when I can not think of anything to write. I call this the genius of multi-tasking. Not only does it get you out and hopefully inspired, but also classifies as exercise. Now, who doesn't like killing two birds with one stone? This takes almost no effort and can be done in the city, too, just with a different type of surrounding in regards to the country. Be sure you take a notebook or voice recorder with you when you walk.

You don't want to be out clearing your head and then suddenly go, "OH!" and have to keep thinking of that thought until you get home. Generally, it doesn't work, mainly because as you're walking along you may come up with a second or third idea and there's just a point when you can't keep reminding yourself of everything you want to write about when you get home. How does this help remove a block? Sometimes we're just so overstressed with things, like holidays, bills or emotions that they cloud our train of thought, creating the block. Getting out gives you a chance to take in sights, observe the beauty of nature and resolve any stresses you may have elsewhere, giving your mind more space to work.

Going to a place of inspiration, be it a museum, a scenic overlook point or even just to the park to watch children can stir creativity. Especially if you're blocked about WHAT to write. They always say that the best things to write about are what you know and once you've experienced something of beauty, you can write something just as beautiful. That is, after all, how memoirs are made. Sometimes the inspiration is negative. A perfect example of negative inspiration (at least that's what I call it, the inspiration to write is from a negative source) such as a playground swing or slide chipping paint. These aren't truly the safest of conditions and sometimes to get the word out about a problem is to write about it so that others can come and see for themselves and do something. All it generally takes is one person to point out a big problem and others will follow along, or come out of the woodwork.

Meditation. I remember a few years ago writing a term paper and not being able to write. I was stuck. My 12th grade english teacher suggested I meditate. I had no idea how or what to meditate, so this idea confused me. I always thought if you got into a state of total meditation you'd drop over in a sound sleep. Either that or the 'ohm' sound that's linked to it would drive myself or someone else batty. However, there is no wrong way to meditate really. You just need some silence, a place to sit and a little time to just clear your mind. If you don't mind spending a few dollars, most discount stores sell meditation CD's or Tapes, which play natural sounds with a relaxing music. Meditation, at least for me, takes me away from where I am in a sort of mental walk to clear my head. Sometimes it takes 10-15 minutes, other times I'm there just clearing my mind for a good hour. Every now and again the sounds and music inspire me on their own to begin writing.

Writers Block can come at any time to any person. The best thing anyone can do is not get upset about it to the point of actual distress. It happens and that's when you take a step back, clear your head and let your mind breathe a little. Sometimes we can over-do it and the brain just goes, "no, no thank you. Not right now." Just relax, you will get over your block. Maybe one of my suggestions will work, or maybe you can come up with one on your own. Just give them a try, you never know.