How to Overcome Writer's Block

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At one time or another, almost everyone has had the experience of sitting down in front of his computer, and staring into space with a blank mind. One way to get the mind working again is to walk away from the computer and pick up a pen. Open a notebook and free write whatever comes to mind. It's a lot more constructive than sitting and banging your head against the wall.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

How to Overcome Writer's Block

Step1

Get up and walk away from your computer. Sitting in front of the computer means that you are "on the clock" and are expecting yourself to produce. Just like your computer, though, sometimes your brain gets 'frozen." By walking away, you are turning off the clock and cutting yourself some slack.

Step2

Now, thaw out your frozen mind by picking up a pen, opening up a notebook and doing a couple of freewrites. Free writing is free association or stream of consciousness on paper. Your first free write should not have any focus at all; allow yourself to ramble on the page. If "My jeans are torn" goes through your mind, write that. If "I want to blow my nose" goes through your mind, write that. If the Gettysburg Address goes through your mind, write it. Do not censor yourself in anyway at all. Forget about grammatical concerns, and don't worry about spelling. This writing is not for public consumption; it is for you eyes alone. Free write in this way for five minutes.

Step3

Your second free write should be based upon the topic which you originally sat down at the computer to write about. However, it should still be a free association, writing whatever words or ideas come to mind about the topic, without worrying about making sense or about the logic or order of thoughts at all. Again, forget about grammar, spelling and punctuation. No one will ever see this writing but you. Continue with this second free write for five minutes.

Step4

By now, your mind should be loosened up and nicely thawed out. Look over your second free write, and see if there is any one theme or idea that stands out or strikes you as worth pursuing. Now do a third free write, based upon that theme.

Step5

After the third free write, return to your computer. Bring your notebook or the pages you have free written with you. These will now be filled with all kinds of juicy material. Welcome back from the blank stare. Welcome home from writer's block.

Tips & Warnings

When you are free writing, do not stop to think at all. Keep going and keep the pen moving, even if you feel that what you are writing is nonsense. This practice of not thinking at all as you write is what thaws your brain out, so that after it, you can go back to thinking well and writing well again.