Jogging Up Ideas to Beat Writer's Block

Whether writing a review, a college essay, or a letter to my neighbors warning them that I have a tendency to sleepwalk and water my lawn in my pajamas-I sleep nude-in the morning, I sometimes find myself staring at a new word processing document that is just as blank as my mind when I am trying to fill it. Somebody once said that the first sentence is often the hardest to write and writer's block makes it even harder. So rather than stare at the computer expecting it to type something on its own or futilely attempt to start an article by typing "Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot." I decided on a few exercises used to get my creative juices flowing or at least motivate myself to get writing.

Watch a DVD or Some New Television Programming

Given my writing post as an anime critic for The Escapist, I figure it would be more sporting of me to watch the assigned anime before writing a re view of it instead of writing a review based on the prejudices of myself and the fans telling me about it. But when I am stuck looking for a topic to write about, sometimes watching a bit of news or a new television program. I can easily write up a short opinionated editorial based on a news story or a review on the television program-Nikita looks good while I stopped caring about Lie to Me ages ago-that someone somewhere is apt to read.

Change the Scenery

I hardly find anything to write about from the confines of my desk. Staring out the same window or sweeping off the same clutter off my desk tends to trickle out the inflow of any new ideas. Often I will take a leisurely walk or set up my laptop at a local bookstore for some fresh scenery. Sometimes just people watching or hearing snippets of conversation will lead to a lead worth researching and writing about. Right now some people are talking about what jobs they can get straight out of high school since lots of financial red tape has so far left college out of the picture. That does sound like something to write about once my latte order is finished.

Reconnect with Friends

I like killing two birds with one stone where I can-though I find a hunting rifle is more effective than stones. So when I am with my friends during an outing or just hanging out, often times I will pick their brains on the topic for my research papers. True, most of my friends are not experts on most of the sciences I am studying except for the actual science experts. But at least their opinions offer new directions to write about and can qualify as informal research. And occasionally we find something a bit deeper to talk about besides television programs and coffee orders.

Then again, nothing beats writer's block than a sudden realization that I am close to deadline as I mumble to myself, "Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot." for procrastinating.