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.