Curing Writer's Block: Writing Prompts when Your Gears Are Stuck

Every writer will encounter the dreaded "writer's block" at some point in their career. For some, it can go on for months at a time. This frustrating phenomenon is not only normal, but in some instances, a blessing.

Call it burnout, dry spell, a rut. But nobody is immune and if you can't fight it, embrace it. Now, before you call me crazy, there really is a light at the end of this tunnel. The first thing you have to determine is, what has caused this dry spell in the first place? Have you attempted to write too many pieces at the same time? Has it muddied up your creativity? Are you trying too hard? Are you over stimulated by distractions within your environment, such as TV, family interruptions, phone calls, and a host of other day-to-day responsibilities? Some you can avoid or put off. Others, like family time, must be approached cautiously. No writer wants to alienate their loved ones. But there are ways satisfy your family's needs while keeping pace with your writing.

When it comes to family, you have to take time to sit down with them and explain your need for quiet time. The more they understand what you need to be successful, the more supportive they will be, and even protective of your personal time.

I mentioned before that writer's block could be a blessing. How is this even possible? Our minds were obviously made to think, create, organize and share. But there are times our brains must rest. If the human body is robbed of rest, it begins to break down, and ultimately succumbs to sickness and disease. We crave sleep because that is a natural process for regeneration and healing. Our brains are the same way. When we can no longer think clearly enough to even finish writing a sentence, it's time to step away from your desk and take a breather.

Once I've had my mini-vacation from writing, I slowly feed my mind with small doses of input. Inspiration can come from many different sources. Listening to music is one great way to reconnect. I find listening to classical music invites creativity. A leisurely walk always gets me thinking about new ideas. Sometimes I will flip through a magazine, just looking at pictures. I avoid reading the text as this clouds my own ideas.

Get organized: A messy work environment can be a hindrance for most. Personally, I cannot settle in and write if my workstation looks like a cyclone hit it. Tidy up, get rid of clutter, burn a candle and any other items that distract you. Create a work space that inspires thought. It can become like a muse. A place to look forward to.

Is your workspace ergonomic? Nothing can put the breaks on your creativity like an aching back or sore neck. Put a mirror near you and check to see if you are slumping or slouching. If your posture is unhealthy, it can have long term effects. Set a timer for every 30 minutes to remind you to sit up straight, walk about or do some stretching.

Are you hydrated properly? A cloudy mind is often the result of a dehydrated brain. Drink plenty of water, and to curb hunger in between meals, keep a jar of salted nuts nearby. The brain needs water and salt to fire electrical currents that help you think clearly.

Do you have proper lighting? In films you may often see a novelist crouched over his or her computer keyboard, illuminated with nothing more than the chilly glow of the computer screen. Find a proper desk lamp that burns cool and sheds light where you need it most. Onto the keyboard. Eye strain is not only caused by reading or staring at a computer screen. Poor lighting is often the culprit.

Organize your writing projects in order of deadlines. Don't let yourself veer off course if you can help it. It is always tempting when you are working on a boring project, and you have a sudden epiphany for another story in which you are working. Jot the ideas down, set it aside and mush on!

Beverages: Let me say that coffee or tea is a wonderful thing and can be good for you for a number of reasons. But too much of anything can be hazardous to your health. Just watch your caffeine intake. Drink lots of water to offset your other beverages. You sure don't want to become jittery. I doubt there are many writers imbibing alcoholic drinks while they write, other than an occasional glass of wine. So I won't spend too much energy on this subject. Just keep a clear head.

Snacking: This is an easy trap to fall into without even realizing it. Writing is for all intents and purposes, a sedentary occupation. Therefore, weight gain can be a problem. Leave yourself time for exercise and when you do snack, make it a healthy, non-fattening snack. Make a list of the healthy foods you like to snack on. Allow yourself a variety and use it to your advantage. It doesn't take long to eat it, and it can take a long time to work it off.

Set goals, but not so high that you can't reach them. Be realistic. If you set your goals too high, you are more likely to dismiss them altogether. Just like dieting. Whether it is a chapter per day, a short story per day, or even if you skip days due to other responsibilities. Focus on taking on one goal at a time, mark it off a master list and keep on truckin'!

Treat yourself and your family to a night out. We all have to get away from our work from time to time. Sometimes a night at the movies or theatre may be just the thing to jump start your creative juices. I often view my chapters as scenes of a movie. When I do this, it keeps me from veering off too far from what I intended for a particular chapter.

And finally, have fun with it. I never knew a writer that hated writing. I often refer to my writing habit as "so many thoughts just leaking out of my head with nowhere else to go". Did you have a vivid or interesting dream? Write it down for future use. You never know when one person's dream becomes the next blockbuster film!