How to Overcome Writer's Block For Good

Don't beat yourself up! Here are some helpful tips you can use to help yourself defeat writer's block.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience

1. Stop thinking about the fact that you can't think of anything to write about. Chances are, you won't think of anything good anyway.

2. Try to stop it before it happens! If you're a writer, carry around a small notebook and a pen. Put it in your car or purse. Be aware of everything you do throughout the day. If you ran into a situation where you had to overcome something, how did you do it? Did you come across something that interested you? Do you have an opinion about something that happened that day? Write it down or you may forget it later.

3. Keep a notebook and pen by your bed. I can't tell you how many times I told myself I would do this and didn't. I would think of something fabulous and was sure I would be able to remember it in the morning. Come morning, I knew I thought of something but forgot what it was. Or, if I did remember it, I couldn't recall all the details. It's frustrating. I've learned to prevent it before it happens by taking action once I have the idea.

4. Call a friend or family member. What did you talk about? If you talked about something that's going on in the world, maybe you could write about that. Did you talk about the past? You could turn that into an article. Ask what the last thing they searched for on Google. Conversations are a great way to spark ideas. Once, when I was having writer's block I called a friend. She was telling me how much her boss stressed her out. I gave her some pretty great advice. After we got off the phone, I wrote an article on how to deal with a difficult boss.

5. Read things that you've written in the past. Sometimes, when I'm reading my past articles another idea will spark up that is somehow related.

6. Read. Read anything. Read the newspaper, online articles or a book. Something is sure to generate an interest. But, don't try to find ideas while you're reading. Just read.

7. Go to Yahoo! Answers. Chances are, if someone has asked a question there they couldn't find the answer online. You may be the perfect person to answer it. Write about it. This is also a great way to get your articles out there because once you've written it, you can link back to it!

[writeasy]

on 9/12/2009 As a freelance writer, I face this problem enough times. I remember some of my writer friends missing out on client deadlines, thanks to the block. I was fortunate enough not to suffer to that extent. But it is a block we have to fight against every now and then. It is important to keep faith and attack it. Know more at : http://write-easy.blogspot.com/2009/06/5-ways-to-get-rid-of-writers-block.html

[nancys123]

on 9/9/2009 Good info. 5*, thanks!

[michaelmulvania]

on 8/12/2009 Sometimes what works for me is to read an interesting passage from a book. Write down the passage, use it as a jumping off point for your writing. Take it in a different direction. Eventually you will have a new scene in your voice. Thanks for your article!