Seven Ways to Fix Writer's Block

I find it funny how the topic for this article came from the blank screen that sat in front of me. After typing out a seemingly endless number of opening sentences for topics galore, I finally had enough. Pushing my chair back and holding my head, I knew I had easily eclipsed frustration and landed somewhere just outside the walls of crazyville.

Then it hit me. Writer's block, a mystical and dangerous adversary for every writer, had infiltrated my life and just wouldn't let go. I had written some great lines, but ended up finding the topic fruitless and meaningless. Likewise, I had some juicy ideas but had scribed some of the worst collections of words that ever left my brain. Nothing worked. Nothing at all.

So, I had to do something, as typing and re-typing became monotonous, counterproductive, and agitating. I resolved to get out of this funk by calling upon the same strategies I tell my students, ones that sound so easy when I explain them, but now, as I suffered from this evil foe, they look somewhat daunting and, dare I say, silly.

Walk Away: Break the moment and free yourself from that keyboard or pencil. Take a walk, grab a snack, go for a drive...whatever it takes to get your mind out of the situation and allow it to become productive rather than obsessed. Try not to mull over the same ideas you just walked away from; instead, take in what is around you and clear your mind.

Break the pattern: Writers tend to perform habitually, sitting down to work at the same times. For some, this works well, yet for others it can place them in a rut. So, try mixing up the times you write. Instead of rolling out of bed and sitting in front of the keyboard in the early morning, try a late afternoon or evening session. You'd be amazed at how the time of day impacts your mood and thinking patterns.

Skip the editing: If you have to stay chained to the chair, forget about the missing commas or the reliance upon the passive voice. Just write. You can even use stream of consciousness if that works for you. Do not allow anything to get in the way of the words leaving your brain and transferring onto the page. I would suggest not even rereading, as it too can stop flow. You can always go back later, so don't fret. Like Stephen King wrote in his book On Writing, your first draft should be done with the door closed, meaning it is only for your eyes anyway.

Read: Walking away from the craft for a moment to experience the end result of the craft makes sense. Read what others have done, and seek inspiration or knowledge from that. Whether it is reading a work done by someone who has a style you loved or pouring through material that is research for what you are writing, either will give you the break and perspective you may need to reinvigorate your own process.

Journal: Keep writing, but do something else. Try reflecting on your day or an event in your life. In essence, just change topics and get your brain moving in another direction.

Get active: If you decide to walk away, don't just crash on the couch and vegetate. Do some form of exercise to get the body moving and the blood flowing. This can make the creative side of you perk up and get involved. You'll drop your stress level, release a few endorphins, and start feeling good again.

Open your mouth: Ask questions of others and discuss the work. Get opinions from family, friends, and coworkers. I'm not suggesting that you walk your writing around and say, "Read this". Rather, strike up conversation about your topic or an idea you have about life. Their comments may open a new door for you or offer a refreshed perspective.

In the end, writer's block is not permanent, but it can feel that way. While you cannot do all of these suggestions at once, keep them around as a resource and employ one if you ever have the need.