So, how can a writer overcome this so-called writer's block? Although some may not believe in it, I do, and interestingly, I have read a lot from well-known authors of their own writer's block therapy.
Believe me. I'm not intimidated by those who write regularly, effortlessly. Even bestseller authors are not immune to struggling with this resistance to writing. A writer's block is often seen as a brick wall staring a writer down. It can stay for an hour or three months.
Some writers make themselves so busy that they could
What works incredibly with me is simply to sit down and write anything that comes to mind, and pretend writer's block doesn't exist at all. I open up my mental faculties, write down my ideas fast and never ever stopping to rephrase or rewrite. Later, or when up to it, I clean up my sentences for grammar, punctuation, clarity, etc. Here's my list. I simply choose a topic from the list and keep at it. Set my timer to say, 15 to 20 minutes never stopping until the time's up.
- Day's gratitude
- Childhood joys
- Favourite music playing in my mind now
- Why I'm not losing weight
- Old yearnings
- Memorable moments
- People I miss
- Place I want to be
- Music that haunts me
Some other times when I can't seem to grab my thoughts, I just drift - ride the bus, catch the train, have a cup of coffee - to listen to my inner thoughts. When I get back home, I'm ready to write again.
Some other things I do when so-called writer's block strikes:
- Simply switch tasks
- Free write, like I described earlier - writing without rules
- Do nothing that involves mental exercise until my 'muse' returns for that needed energy and enthusiasm
That's it!
(c) November 2007. Updated August 10, 2021. Tel. Leaves from my Musings. All rights reserved.
