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I sat there staring at my laptop screen this morning and thought: I really don’t know where to begin. Then I realised the dreaded writer’s block had set in.

I have articles to write, assignments to finish and send off, not to mention my third novel that needs completing.

Writers’ Block is something every writer gets at some point in their career and it’s completely normal. It can be caused by anything from being busy working and not having had time to write anything, or you have finished a big project and now you’re uncertain of what to do next.

I find that the most common cause tends to be anxiety that you’re not good enough, and no one will ever want to read your writing. But there are ways to overcome it and make sure the block doesn’t hold you back.

1. Reading can be a very good way of getting the creative juices flowing. Read magazines, articles, books, online blog posts and even social media can be a huge source of potential ideas.

2. Look at pictures and photos, magazines, celebrity snaps, children’s picture books and online posts can all be potential prompts. Keep a scrapbook of pictures. Watch television, watching your favourite TV show or film, or doing something visually. Many writers are visually stimulated and inspired.

3. Music can not only help you relax and clear your mind, but words and emotions conjured up in a song are a good way of making you think of a potential story. Use the line of a particular song as the title of your story and see what happens.

4. Just write something, anything. Spend 15 minutes just writing whatever comes into your mind. Keep a writing journal and/or personal journal. You don’t have to worry about what you’re writing, you’re just enjoying the experience of writing and it’s a good way of generating ideas.

5. Go for a walk, go shopping or go to a park. I find that just getting up and moving about can make you feel better.

Photo by Rennett Stowe

Photo by theilr

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6 thoughts on “5 Ways To Beat The Block

  1. Haley

    Fantastic ideas!!! One of the best nuggets of advice that I ever received was “Always write, write every single day. Even if you have to describe a tree, you need to write every day.” I have followed that and it has staved off the block so far (crossing fingers and knocking on wood). Awesome post!!

  2. amylso

    Do you ever listen to the Writing Excuses podcast? They had one last week about how Newton’s Laws are a good kind of metaphor to help you just get writing. It helped me through the struggle I was having that day. So maybe it’s also helpful to talk to other writers! (or, in my case, listen to them talk.)

  3. tiffanyshand

    No, I haven’t listened to it, but I’ll check it out, thanks! And thanks for commenting!

  4. tiffanyshand

    Great, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

  5. Shela

    LOVE this! Perfectly timed for me!!! Thank you!! 🙂

  6. […] yesterday’s post, I was inspired to find more ways of defeating writer’s block. As a freelance writer, I […]

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