Great Tricks to Help You With Writer's Block

Writers Block can be attributed to so many things and can last minutes to days, even weeks. They say some professional writers have gotten such a severe case, they give up writing forever. Let's look at a few of the causes, so you don't drown in sorrow thinking you have lost all creativity. Then, let's take a look at some practical ideas that can truly help!

Causes of Writer's Block
Writers block feels like a lack of creativity, as though you are losing inspiration. Common causes can be just that, that you have lost your inspiration. Often times, it may be that you are distracted, thinking of other things that must be done - which can apply to us all. Other common causes are:

- Physical Illness
- Adverse circumstance
- Depression or sense of failure

Honestly, it can just lead to feeling like you don't want to write at times. It is definitely a hard place to be because you like to write and enjoy it, yet there is this lingering knot of worthlessness that seems to come from low (to no) productivity - or pride in what you're doing.

Whatever the reason for your block - or the way it is making you feel about yourself, take heart. You don't have to be stuck in that terrible place of "non" feeling as though you are contributing nothing. It happens to us all and writers block can be overcome!

Destroy the Power of the White

Sometimes when I write, I feel like a little child staring at a piece of paper asking, "What should I draw?" (If you are a parent, you have probably heard this a million times.) It is then that I remind myself of a technique my 10th grade English teacher taught called, "destroying the power of the white."

She told a story of a great painter who sold his life work to paint, because he felt called to do so. So, he bought paint and all the goods and set up in the lawn of his estate to paint. Day after day he would drag out his gear, set up and sit for hours staring at a white canvas. In the afternoon, he would pack everything up and come inside with nothing to show for his time. This went on for weeks until...

One day, his wife was looking out the window, just fuming at his lack of productivity and inability to start. She stormed out onto the lawn, grabbed a paintbrush, slammed it into the paint and without saying a word splashed the brush onto the white canvas. Her action rendered the canvas a disaster. However, after she went inside, the painter began to take her mess and work the spoils of the paint into a masterpiece. All that needed to happen is that the power of the white needed to be destroyed.

Translating this to writing is clean. Often times we don't start for whatever the reason. But if we have something to work with, we have the ability to sculpt it. Even in my blocks, I can critique someone's work without effort. This is what we must do as writers to get our creative juices flowing once more. We should not be intimidated with creating a masterpiece, but just write.

If you search the power of white in paintings, you will find that the color white is one of the strongest forces. So goes the blank computer screen for a writer. Do not torment yourself...just write. If it is bad, or pointless or a mess...at least it isn't white. And any famed writer would say the same thing: Just write.

Know Your Strengths

It should be easy to talk about things we like. In fact, that is one way we know our strengths: we enjoy talking about that subject. If we enjoy talking about it, we should have no trouble writing about it. So, when you get stuck, consider what you do like, consider your strengths. Branch out, away from whatever you are working on, and write about your strength for a while.

If you take this suggestion, try the following questions to get you started on a new work to rev your engines. And remember, the goal is not to win the Nobel prize, it is simply to destroy the white.

- What do I lose track of time doing?
- What do I care about most?
- What do I like to do?
- What am I most proud of in my home?
- What have I always wanted to learn about?
- Most importantly, what do I like to talk about?

The 5 Why's

I am sure we have all heard of the brainstorming technique called the web, where you put one word in the middle of a page and circle it. Then, draw lines shooting out from that word, and write other words that you think of (which spring from the word in the center.) But, here is another and more thoughtful version of that, which really gets to the root of things. It is called the "5 Why's."

Though this questioning technique is more commonly used to get to the root of the problem, it can also lend itself to subjects that are worthy of writing about. Simply start by stating a fact. Then ask yourself the question "Why?" (That is one.) Once you have answered why, ask yourself why again...and repeat this until you have asked yourself "why?" five times. (Thus, the 5 "Why's") For example:

Initial Statement:I hate being unproductive.
1. Why? Answer: I am not accomplishing anything.
2. Why? Answer:: I am unmotivated.
3. Why? Answer: I'm tired.
4. Why? Answer: I went to bed too late.
5. Why? Answer: For free time, without interruption from husband and kids.

This string of questions may or may not be something I want to write about. But clearly, there are plenty of ideas here. I could write about the cycle of bad habits, tired moms, what ever happened to free time, what would I do if I had free time, what did I do when I DID have free time, how to motivate yourself, ensuring free time in a whirlwind day. The list goes on and on. But if I didn't like these, I could try a different topic that would drive completely different subjects. I like okra. I need a new desk. I want more kids. Whatever! Keep trying until you find something that sparks your passion and before you know it, you will have your inspiration back!

So, next time you feel yourself beginning to loath over your lack of motivation or creativity, consider your strengths, ask yourself why (5 times) and above all destroy the power of white - just write!