I know that writer’s block can be a problem. It is the scary monster that hides under our bed and gives us nightmares (or maybe that’s figuring out why our characters are not doing what we want them to do). Either way, I thought I’d provide a list of ten ways to beat writer’s block. These are unscientific, unchecked, but might be helpful anyway…
- Write. Write something. Anything. Just put your pen to your paper or your fingers on the keyboard and don’t let the words stop. Edit later.
- Take a walk. Don’t think about your writing while you’re doing it. Let your mind wander.
- Read. Preferably something that’s not at all like what you are stuck on.
- Get on the floor and alternate sets of ten pushups and ten crunches until you’ve found something to write (it’s ok if you throw it away later).
- Read D&mn You Auto Correct – or anything that will make you laugh.
- Try to write exactly what should not/would not/could not happen (at least you’ll rule something out, right?).
- Watch a really old movie.
- Trying changing a character’s gender and rewrite the scene/place you’re getting stuck.
- Pretend you wrote the problem part and start the next section.
- Think of the three most interesting/funny words you know and try to get them into your writing.
The major purpose behind all of these is to either overpower the block (get words out at all costs!) or to change your state of mind. I’ve used some of these, and I heard some of these from others. What works for you?
Thanks for the tips!! Reading almost always helps me! (Love #5!)
Now you’ve gone and done it… I can’t reply to this from the toolbar at the top. I have to go and look at what I wrote!
Okay. Now I’m actually looking at it.
Yes. #5 is a favorite. I was having a really blah kinda week and just wasn’t in the mood to do anything, but 10 minutes on DYAC and I was laughing with tears streaming down my face. Hard to be in a funk & laughing at the same time, isn’t it?
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Great suggestions. I have done some of those, although I’ll say (and I may get rotten fruit thrown at me) I don’t really get writer’s block. Now, that’s not to say that I always know the right thing to write. There is a difference. But my mind is always filled with ideas.
But the times when I have trouble choosing among different options, I usually write an action scene. I get away from inner story or narrative and just write straight action. That way the story is moving somewhere–and usually not where I thought it would.
I like your approach in the 2nd paragraph. As for the 1st, I’m jealous. It’s like the ideas are all there… until I get a chance to put them down. Then they evaporate. It’s like perpetually being the kid who knows the answer until the very second the teacher says his name. Highly irritating.
Great tips hon
Xx
Thanks, Vikki!
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Good ideas, And I haven’t told you yet but I love the new theme.
New theme? Um… it doesn’t look different to me (except the menu where I added a bit). Or was this a change I made awhile ago (my sense of time sucks, so that could be the problem too).
I think you made it a while ago. I usually am reading on my phone lately, and it doesn’t show the whole theme – or any sometimes.
ah…. I didn’t know that. I use my phone for calling people. I’m “old school” that way.
Hahaha, old school is the cool school.
Awesome. I’m stealing that.
Feel free
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