How to Master Writer's Block
The Block Monster
The question really is how to overcome them? The suggestion I offer you today is that of playing a game. This is a little writing prompt I use whenever I am feeling the urge to chuck my current manuscript out the door, or spill Cola on the keyboard of the computer. The game is simple. First and foremost: step away from the computer. Grab a pen/pencil and some paper, if you can go outside: if not, indoors will also work. This is just an exercise to get your muse working with you again. Start with the letter A…write the first word that comes to your mind. Example: A: alley. Now, write a sentence in which one of your characters does something or has something to do with the word. Example: Jonathan skirted the alley, to afraid to enter. Why was he afraid? Could you write more than one sentence? If not, that's okay. Next go to the letter B. Example: B-bills: Jonathan worried about how he was going to pay the bills now. He would have to tell Judy that he'd lost his job at the mill, or would he, he thought to himself. Keep playing as long as you can, or if you come up with something that sparks your creativity in your work in progress go back to the computer.
You can switch up the characters, scenes, and use descriptions, whatever you want to do, as long as you are writing. When you find that really sparks your creativity on a certain letters/letters' keep going. The longer and more you are able to put down the better. Pretty soon the words will be flowing, the ideas bursting into your head like popcorn in a popper. Save your prompts, they could be an idea for a future article or story. You can review them when you are at a standstill, or begin anew with a new alphabet game cycle. Finally, always be gentle to your muse. Cindi Beavers
Published by Cindi Starr
As a full time writer, I have a thirst for knowledge of all types. I am a published poet, and have published feature articles, and short fiction in print media. I write devotionals and historical romance f... View profile
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27 Comments
Post a CommentThis is a very amazing tip - I sometimes have the opposite of writer's block; too many ideas and not really ending up to write a single piece. This will help me to be organized - thank you! :)
Great piece!
These are awesome tips...every writer must read this! What writer hasn't suffered from writer's block?
Thanks for the tips here. I get writers block all the time
Great article!!! :) I'm actually experiencing writers block right now x.x and they do suck! lol. I would never say a black has never happened to me, it happens a lot actually! :) I wrote about a way to overcome writers block too, but your article shares a different approach! I never heard this idea before, but I think I should try it! :) Thanks for sharing!
Cindi,
Thank you for this article. When I get writer's block, I'll try your suggestion.
The topic of writer's block is interesting. I read in an article in The New Yorker a few years ago that writer's block is an American thing. The article compared American authors to their European counterparts. The discussion talked to the almost paralyzing struggles that followed in the wake of each featured writer's publication of the great American novel. The article also pointed out European authros do not seem to have the same struggle, some may not even recognize the concept. Since reading this article, I do not know what to make of writer's block. Whatever the case may be, I tend to have terrible bouts of it, and I am not even close to writing a novel. But you have provided some great ideas to start writing again. Thank you.
I keep a notebook with me at all times so that I can jot down ideas as they come to me. When I'm sitting at a blank screen with writer's block I pull out my notebooks and something I wrote will get me going again.
I am glad I found this because I am trying my first attempts at writing. I am sure this will help me to not give up and find a way around the harder times of writing.
Great idea. Very informative. Thanks for sharing this method with us. I know I will be putting this technique to good use. Thanks again.