Antidotes for Overcoming Writer's Block

There’s nothing more frustrating to a writer than staring incessantly at a blank page with an unrelenting vacant mind prodding you as to how to begin or transition your next thought. The start of your next chapter or editorial piece is wildly floating around in your head, but you just can’t seem to pull it together. Your ability to compose and formulate words becomes seriously challenged and it feels like you’ll never again write another comprehensive sentence. Minutes, hours, days, sometimes months pass and you are still stuck in that place. This experience is defined as writer’s block and it’s a phenomenon that all writers encounter during the course of their careers. Here a few tips that I have employed to overcome my own bouts with writer’s block. 1. Find the Perfect Muse For me, the perfect muse is the Holy Spirit. While writing my first manuscript and currently during my second, there were weeks when I just couldn't get past the word “The…” Nothing I attempted to write would appeal or make sense. It became clear that leaning toward my own creativity (or lack thereof) just wasn't working for me. I needed inspiration from a supernatural source. I decided to pray. I figured that God Himself is the Author of the number one bestseller in the Universe, so who better to ask for inspiration and direction to completing a literary assignment. Sometimes it took minutes to get a response and at other times days; but inevitably fresh ideas would always spring forth. These light bulb moments, as I termed them, would occur at the most inconvenient times- in the shower, driving, even while sleeping- so I made it a practice to keep a pen and note pad or tape recorder within reach at all times. I encourage you to do the same; you never know when the Muse of all muses will provide you with your next light bulb moment. 2. Free Your Mind - Freeing your mind is a fairly simple and amusing task that works miracles when trying to de-clutter the jumbled thoughts. First, turn away from the assignment you are working on. Secondly, open a new blank page, place your hands on the keyboard, close your eyes and begin writing. Write about everything and nothing at the same time. Put down the first thought that invades your mind. If you feel silly about the exercise write that; if you’re thinking you have no idea what to write about, write that also. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling; as a matter of fact, don’t go back to delete anything. Just go with the flow. Commit to a minimum of five minutes freeing the channels of your mind and increase each time you attempt the exercise. Once you are finished, you will not only be entertained by your free expressions, but it will amaze you to see just how much clearer your thoughts will flow when you return again to your project. 3. Watch People - Nothing beats the ills of writer’s block than a good dose of people watching. It’s not only amusing but extremely inspiring. People make the most interesting characters when developing a story and there are interesting characters to be found just about anywhere you go. The park, mall, local bookstore, restaurant, church, etc, are great settings to people watch. There is unlimited character-building potential in observing others as they go about their day to day routines. People do and say the most outrageous things and making it a practice to explore their habitual methods and behavior is a great ad- vantage for effortless writing. Why not give it a try; the possibilities are endless. 4. Change Scenery - Whenever it’s affordable and convenient, I make it a point to visit a new city, state or country. Traveling makes for an effectual and informative technique to breakthrough during bouts of writers block. Though not impossible, I find it very difficult to write about a location I have never visited. I think personally portraying a specific location helps to give a more authentic edge to any story. Sure, you can conduct detailed research on how another writer has depicted their experience while visiting the pyramids in Egypt, for example. However, it’s a different scenario when you are aptly able to describe the sweltering heat of the desert sun combined with the dusty wind that propels stinging sand pellets against your face - all from a perspective of having actually traveled there. Traveling to different location helps to tackle the burden of writer’s block by enhancing the author’s ability to create a fascinating and accurate picture of a foreign people or place. 5. Read, Read, Read We all know that reading is fundamental, but it is also another useful method to overcoming writer’s block. Sometimes, it’s just a good idea to take a break from the project you are working on and pick up a good book. Reading helps to recycle our thinking and unlocks the gates of our minds, giving access to new thoughts and ideas. Delving into an interesting read (preferably an unrelated genre) aids in honing your ability to re-present your characters more vividly, tighten your story line and improve grammar, spelling and punctuation. Writers block is a challenge every writer faces. The aggravation it causes will often times tempt you to throw your hands up and do away with your project. The good news is that with determination and commitment to completing your assignment you will overcome the hurdle of writer’s block and go on to publish a note- worthy piece of work.

Don't Be Afraid To Fly

If I did it, you can too.  Please read article below and be inspired!

Roschelle McKenzie has no regrets about pursuing her dreams

Three Thousand Pounds of Love

The date was January 14, 2010 at about 11:00pm and I was completely overwhelmed and distraught over the disastrous images that flashed across CNN. Life had literally been shaken out of Haiti and people were dying all around. The deadly earthquake had not discriminated against anyone, as men, women and babies, rich and poor, black and white lay dead in the streets. Others were trapped alive under the rubble praying and hoping to be rescued. As I sat watching and sobbing bitterly in the late night hour, desperately trying not to wake my husband, all I could do was talk to God. “What can I do, Lord? I’m just one person, but I’m willing. What can I do to help?”
Immediately following my sincere plea, the Lord began to minister to me about the power of one. He told me that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me and that nothing was impossible with Him. The very next day I went to work and posted a sign and a large box in the lobby asking people to give. Food, water, baby wipes and pampers, women necessities, batteries, medical supplies, survival equipment, etc. Before long, the items came pouring in. The news about my box spread all over and people began to open their hearts and gave. The most touching giver was a five year old boy who brought his piggy bank to church and offered to give his "life savings to help the children of Haiti."
People gave so much that at one time I began to feel like I had gone in way over my head. At the end of four weeks, I was able to ship to Haiti: thirteen cases of water, seven 55gallon barrels and fifteen boxes full of food and necessary supplies; A total of 3,000 pounds of love was shipped to help a handful of devastated earthquake survivors.
I will never be able to thank all those who stretched their hands and hearts to give to the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake, but God saw and took notice. Proverbs 19:17 says, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done."
Thanks again for helping me do accomplish what only started out as a small appeal to the Lord. He truly is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask, think or imagine. Continue to be blessed and be a blessing.

Yours in Him,
Author Roschelle

The Assassination of Motivation

Someone once told me that, “procrastination is the assassination of motivation” and I couldn’t agree more. We are now twelve days into the New Year and I have just steadied myself enough to commit to this blog- an assignment that I promised to commit to weeks ago.

What is it that causes us [me] to yield so much power to procrastination? Why do we [I] put things off until later, and fail to admit that “later” rarely comes? I usually don’t make a habit of making resolutions at the commencing of a New Year, but for 2010 I think I might make an exception. I want to challenge you [myself] to not put off for tomorrow what can and should be accomplished today, and to take advantage of the moments we are given to complete a task. There are so many ideas for my next novel floating around in my head, and unless I commit to or create the time to emptying the ideas on paper, they will remain just that- ideas that will eventually fade into an abstract memory.

Time is the most precious commodity we have. It’s one of those rare blessings that once it’s been spent, can never be retrieved. So how do we overcome the compulsion to postpone and put off our undertakings? I think we must realize first and foremost that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, and that we have the power to resist anything that attempts to control us. Titus 3:14 charges us to "devote [ourselves] to doing what is good, in order that [we] may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives". Likewise so, Proverbs 13:4 intimates that "lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper".

The last thing I want to be described as is a lazy person, and I definitely want the works of my hands to prosper. I’m sure you all do as well. Once that’s been established, recognize too that procrastination is the thief of time, as the saying goes, and refuse to be its victim. My determination for 2010 and beyond is to no longer permit procrastination to dominate my productiveness. There are books and blogs to write, Broadway plays to see, exercise regimens to adhere to, and plenteous other stakes to fulfill.

Procrastination is the assassination of motivation…This will be my mantra for the next twelve months, let it be yours too. All we have to do is take it one project, one day and one moment at a time. Now for the big question; Who’s with me?

Until next time, (And it will be this year)
Author Roschelle

Night Before Dawn

Hello Ready Readers,

Okay, Okay... I know this is coming a bit late, but please forgive me. I am just now finding the time to sit down and get my bearings together. I'd like to personally thank all of you who were able to make it to the launch. Your presence helped to make the event a huge success. Kudos to you! For those of you who were unable to attend, thank you for buying the book. Your support means so much. If you have not yet gotten your copy, to you I say, "What are you waiting for!" www.readywriteriam.com

So, let's talk about Sabrina and Eric. What did you all think? Did you like the way their story ended or would you have preferred them to go off in different directions? I have heard very mixed perspectives from men and women alike, but I would like to have everyone participate in an open forum/discussion.
I'd like to hear about your likes and dislikes.
What made you laugh, cry or angry?
Did you see a part of yourself in Sabrina or any other character?
Is there someone you need to forgive or perhaps you may need someone to forgive you?
Have you already experienced your night before dawn? If yes, in what way?

Can't wait to hear from you all...

Regards,
Author Roschelle