How to Cure Writer’s Block Now: Ways to Spark Writing Creativity Again

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By StacyP
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Spark Your Creative Side Again

Some writers insist that there is no such thing as writer’s block. Well, kudos to those lonely few. For the majority of writers, though, a writing block feels like a curse and can pop up at the wrong time—such as when a deadline is looming near. A well-prepared writer knows how to quickly get out of this dreaded writer’s rut and spark writing creativity again.

The following are steps to take to nip that writer’s block in the bud before those deadlines come and go (and could end up costing you a paid writing gig). Get ready to know no limits when it comes to writing professionally!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

new reading material to study
writing utensil & paper OR computer with word processing program

Step 1

Read something new. Sometimes, a writer gets stuck because writing has become bland. Spice it up by exploring new authors with writing styles or genres that are different from your own. Browse through the shelves of your local library or bookstore for inspiration. Surf the blogosphere for witty writing that’ll spark your creative side once again.
Step 2

Go for a walk. Study the strangers on the street, in the market, and everywhere in between. Look at body language and dynamics among families. Jot down your notes right then and there, while the image and mood are still clear. Create a short story from those notes. This will boost your confidence and show that, yes, you are still a working writer.
Step 3

Try some writing exercises. It could as simple as reading the first few paragraphs of some random short story within a magazine, then writing what you think will happen with the characters. Another writing exercise could involve fashioning a fiction story from a picture spied in your local newspaper. More ideas can be found in magazines specializing in the writing craft and on by searching on the Internet.
Step 4

Forbid yourself from writing. Tell yourself that you absolutely must not write for a day or even a week, if necessary. Warning: the words may almost immediately begin piling up in your head. (Think of it like when you go on a crash diet and try to ban consumption of all your favorite foods—it just isn’t going to happen.) Ideas for your current writing projects, when forbidden, will miraculously beg to be written and recorded.

Try one or more of these tips the next time your creative mind draws a blank. Writer’s block does not need to be a part of your professional writing career any longer.

Comments

1960texan said

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on 8/17/2009 I really like the idea of writing a story based on a newspaper photo. Great idea! I've also learned to give myself permission to write something that's terrible. Not everything has to be published.