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9 Tips to Overcome a Writer’s Block
Did you ever have that? That feeling you want and need to write an article, but you simply can’t find the energy, inspiration or subject for that post.
It’s very irritating to you and your readers, because they think you don’t want or can’t find the time to write an article, but you have the time! You want to write that great article, but you simply can’t find the inspiration to write that killer article.
Could you prepare for this problem? Or is there any solution available to get your groove back? There is not one solution, because people are reacting different to things, so here are a couple tips I have thought of that could help you.
- Take enough rest – When you sleep well and you can concentrate on the work you have to do, you are less likely to get that writers block. With enough rest, you can focus on the job.
- Writing schedules – Writing schedules might keep you out of trouble, because you are used to the time you have to write. You’ve built a writing discipline.
- Take some time off – It isn’t very good to do another project right after you’ve finished something. You have to take some time off and switch your mind from focussed to relaxed.
- Writing is a job – Many people (including me) love to write. It’s their passion and they don’t see it like work. But you should because if you see writing as work, articles are things you have to do as part of the job-description and you will do it with more ease because it is a must.
- More projects – Some people like to work on different projects at once. They can switch their focus and that prevent them from getting bored with the projects. As a result, they will enjoy their work more.
- Easy things – In a project or blog you always have tasks to do that are more easy then others. When you feel like you get a writers block coming up, you could drop that 10 page thick article for a while and start writing something that’s more light and fresh.
- Unplug your internet – Disconnecting from the internet might help you to concentrate on the things you are doing. You can’t get distracted by your interesting IM friends or by Emails and that helps you focus on things you have to finish.
- Take a shower – I usually take a shower when I just find myself looking at a text I just can’t finish without some inspiration. It just makes me and my head fresh and the inspiration comes back.
- Write down posting ideas – When I am away from the computer, I usually know where to write about and I find the best subjects. But when I get behind that document those ideas are usually flying somewhere around my head and I can’t seems to remember them. Write ‘em down in a ‘idea-post’, or in your mobile phone as a memo. You will find yourself a great subject if you look at your ideas later on.
The conclusion
After those tips, we should never have to have a writers block again. But you all know how difficult it is to write quality articles all the time. These tips work for some people, but not everyone could benefit from everything what I have written down today. I hope a couple of you do though.
You should remember that we all have to struggle with this problem sooner of later and we will always get over it! It is a matter of time.
Just keep writing.
[...] Original post by Stefan Vervoort [...]
Hey thanks for the post really helpful information.
All good tips. Something else I like to do is search for inspiration by browsing random sites … helps me think up new ideas.
I find that a lack of sleep most often degrades my ability to think clearly. Thanks for the list.
Hey in an article about writer’s block, there really shouldn’t be any typos. Take some time of in #3 should have another f at the end of it.
Thanks for the kind replies and reading this article.
@Your Typo Finder – Well, that’s a big typo I have to admit. But thank you very much for noticing…
10. Go read a book. I often get ideas from books.
11. Build something. Whether its a Lego structure, or a photoshop drawing, being creative helps your mind think.
Lack of sleep is the worst – I never know how to concentrate and that’s usually why. But I agree – doing something else works. I always get inspiration from Photoshop – being creative is the best way to solve writer’s block.
Nice list. My personal favorite is to go out, walk through the wood which will definately help to free my mind.
So true. Sometimes just a good ol’ sleep makes a miracle.
Thanks for all the replies.
Janko, I have been a subscriber on your blog for some time now, thanks for visiting.
[...] I have wrote an article about the writer’s block everyone could face, I thought of the subject “problem” I had to deal with some time [...]
All appears to be sound advice. Now, to see if I can get my writer’s block out of the way!
Best wishes,
Shannon
Sometimes just getting up and walking away can help get you back on track. Most of the time when im working on a problem, if i just leave it alone and let my subconcience work on it, it will just suddenly come to me.
I wuold certainly need these tips – sometimes, I go blank for weeks on end.
Another tip would be to sit on an idea – develop posts very slowly, as and when you can, instead of forcing it. I find that I can add more ideas to the post that way.
Stumbled!
Nice post. Very informative. I’ve bookmarked it so I can follow more posts. Thanks, Joseph.
Here is a tool I just found out about today: Lazy Bloggers Post Generator
Great blog! These were really helpful tips! Thank you
Thanks for the tips, I will definitely be putting some of these methods to practice.
Cheers
Eric from Job Aid
These were really helpful tips. Great when you are just in a rut and stuck on something.
Another thing I’m stuck on isRiverside CA Toyota. They have the largest selection of Toyotas I’ve ever seen!
5 Strategies for Getting Past Writer’s Block…
We’ve all been there. Staring at a blank Word document or a blank piece of paper. Willing the creative ideas to pour forth onto blank slate. And yet, nothing. What’s commonly referred to as writer’s block can be a real pain. But writer’s block …
Taking a walk or just writing about something – anything usually helps get my creative juices flowing. Even if I just write a description of my desk or start writing a childhood memory, usually something in there clicks and I’ve come up with a great article idea, or at least a good “jumping off point” for an idea. When I’m doing a marketing piece, looking through the postcards I’ve received in the mail or at advertising or marketing blogs helps me get ideas.
I hate writers block – thanks for the tips. Probably my favorite is to unplug your internet. It is easy to goof off when you are having a block.
The major problem with me is lack of sleep and im always on pc and connected to the net while working.. which makes my work go real slow and i can’t really concentrate. Thanks for these excellents advice, i will try to follow them.
Cheers.
I think you have to be fresh and passionate about what you write
I have always, -always-, found it easier to write because it has always been a hobby and passion for me. I guess it becomes much more difficult if the writer has deadlines and stuff to meet. Writing is an art, and art cannot be forced.
Brilliant, thanks so much for the information. This is particularly helpful for me as i’m currently writing my dissertation and can;t think!
Thanks for the suggestions. I often struggle with writers block, and regularly procrastinate. It’s worse when it’s something I don’t like to write on. I’ll try your suggestions.
it happen to me, so hard to be consistent thanks for the tips. I’ll not stop to try.
I come across this problem most of the time. Whenever I want to do a write up I just feel that I don’t have the energy or ideas. Main reason for it would be the lack of sleep. But yeh, with these tips I’m sure I can get the write up’s done easily now. Thanks for the wonderful article
I always keep a small notepad with me…inspiration for writing projcets can come at any moment. If I don’t write them down immediately chances are I will forget the topic.
Hey Stefan,
I wanted to say that #9 is by far the best thing for me. If I’m reading “INC Magazine” or “Entrepreneur” I tend to write down ideas that come to mind.
Also I’m not scared to go do some research of what I’m writing about via Google etc!
The biggie on the list is unplugging the Internet and with that I would include every other electronic distraction like the iPod, cell phone, Blackberry, etc. It’s too much of a temptation to think, “I’ll just take a minute to look up X on Wikipedia or scan the headlines on Slash Dot.” Big time time and productivity killers!
Thanks for this.
Makes me realise Ive been treating it as more a hobby than a job.
Stefan,
One of the things I like to do is just stream. I write all the thoughts that come to my mind. What usually happens is I eventually get a good hook, and then I run with it!
The way I overcome my writers block is by placing my writing schedule at night. I noticed that the best time I get inspiration is at night when i’m on my bed. I then decided to get a phone with a very comfortable qwerty keyboard, the Nokia E71. With this I can write my articles as inspiration comes and I can always pause and continue later. I would try out the other ideas as well, such as the shower and unpluging all distractions such as the internet!
That’s a pretty great idea. Once I get a new telephone I will take a look at that.
I have always had problems with writers block,then all of a sudden it is like a light bulb goes off in my head and the words start flowing like warm syrup on pancakes . You are right the tips you gave do work .
Those are some great tips to take care of writers block! I think that when we talk about being creative and writing, we can all agree that sometimes the smallest negative stimulus is bad. Even thinking about writers block can make it a self fulfilling prophecy! Thanks for these tips!
Great tips, I will give it a try!