What is a writer’s block?
If you
write blogs, novels, essays, technical reports, case studies, or had to write
anything in the past, then you may have experienced a writer’s block. Writing
block is a phase when no ideas arrive accompanied by a feeling of being stuck.
This state can last for several days, months or even years. There are also
different levels of writer’s block.
A mild
form of writer’s block is when you just start writing an essay, and can’t quiet
come up with the main theme or idea; or even when briefly stuck in the middle
of an essay with a stagnant idea, a character or an event. Either way,
you may end up sitting for hours not writing anything; just sitting there.
Once inspired, however, the writer’s block immediately disappears. On the other
hand, you may have too many ideas and there is a need to organize ideas and
write an outline for your writing piece first. Sometimes writing may not
work due to various reasons:
1) because of some issues that may be going on in life;
2) or one may have an overwhelming feeling to writing, even though we really want to finish that essay, book, theoretical paper, or a blog.
Writing requires concentration just like anything else.
1) because of some issues that may be going on in life;
2) or one may have an overwhelming feeling to writing, even though we really want to finish that essay, book, theoretical paper, or a blog.
Writing requires concentration just like anything else.
You may
think that creative skills of writing were all used up on a previous writing
piece and there is nothing more left. You may move on and forget about writing
altogether. It does not mean that it is the end to your writing skill. In a
way, it’s true. At first we have all the ideas in the world of what to
write, encompassing realistic and non-realistic experiences and just simply
telling a story. Getting out all these ideas onto a paper or a computer
sometimes leaves the writer all empty of anything else to write. To
overcome this state, you may look for a new inspiration. However, it is
easier said than done.
How to overcome a writer’s block?
[1] When
I write a novel, at times there are few characters that are too nosy and appear
everywhere.
Eliminating them from some of the scenes allows other characters to
evolve. And sometimes concentrating on a different event within a story
is all that is needed to continue writing. Writing two or three
unrelated pieces at a time is another way to eliminate the writer’s block.
Thinking about your characters and giving them a personality spin, a flaw or a
new reaction that no one expected, may start the whole story going.
[2] It is
a good idea to write by parts, especially in my case. When I have a
writer’s block, instead of sitting and doing nothing, I look for another
approach to write the story I come up with an ending to the story and
even incorporate new characters that were not mentioned before. This
gives a twist to the story and allows the new characters and already existing
characters to feed off each other, just like in acting. There’s a new
inspiration.
[3]
Another way to break through the writer’s block is to pay attention to the time
of the day when you write, reply to e-mails, anything that has to do with writing. You may also
realise when you were most creative in the absence of writer’s block. Are
you usually more creative early in the morning or late in the afternoon?
Look at the time and even when you write an e-mail, visit a social site, when
you are most comfortable writing, start writing and continue on. It
may start like a dialogue and eventually evolve into a book. Remember,
you can always edit the redundancies.
[4] When
it’s not the characters’ fault, a perspective of story narration, or a stagnant
plot itself, then there are other executions you may take. Adam Singer
shares 15 powerful ideas in his article on How To Overcome Writer’s Block –
15 Tips; exercise; change surroundings; listen to the music; turn off
the computer for a while; early in the morning continue with what you were
stuck with; file it to the later; get some coffee; create an outline of your
work; stop thinking about writing just sit and write; don’t force it;
read some blogs, books and topics that don’t relate to your style of writing;
jot down your ideas when possible; eat healthy; and take naps. His
ideas are very effective. Attending a Yoga class, going out with friends
and staying away from anything that resembles a computer may permit an
opportunity for a new inspiration.
[5]
Another way to eliminate the writer’s block is to do a few things depending on
the cause.
Right after you finished writing your novel, don’t judge yourself. Some
of us may think, if we wrote such a masterpiece the first time, what about the
following novels... We start comparing our writing. Not only there
is a feeling of being drained from pouring all the creativity onto a laptop or
computer, but also a feeling of freezing every time you write. Will this
new novel be as good? Eliminating harsh judgement about your new and
upcoming book, usually works. Another point is to take a break, don’t stare
into a computer for eight hour at a time, it only promotes the writing block.
If you find yourself staring into an empty space for more than 30 minutes, turn
that computer off and take a break.
[6] Some
people may experience a writer’s block, because of life changing events, such as feeling depressed,
buying a house, getting a pet. Not to worry, sit down and describe your life
event in great detail that may help you develop a character within itself or a
really nice plot for your next novel. Think for yourself, “The Great
Struggle of Overcoming __________-- (your kind of issues).
[7]
Writing in increments or durations always helps. Many university students
know that sitting more than two hours in class becomes inefficient and the same
goes to studying on the same subject at a time. I take it as a rule of thumb,
two hours of writing on one subject and then the other two hours can be another
subject, or even different parts of a story within the same book. Always
have due dates for your writing piece, because we are used to the due dates
of assignments and projects.
[8]
Another resource of what I do when I experience a writer’s block is I use one
of Adam
Singer’s techniques mixed with my own curiosity. I go outside. I can go to
a park or a coffee shop. I simply observe people, not stare at them, just
notice them as usual and question what is their story
(everyone has a story, if you ask you'll see). Notice animals
and trees, snow or clouds - just about anything you see and think of what they
have to share with you. Even a statue or a historical area may have
a story behind it. Looking at someone’s painting can give an idea to the
flow or the rhythm of the plot. Or the colour of a painting and the palate may
develop a character’s character in your future novel. Visit a book store
and buy some books of your interest, maybe there is a writer who can inspire
you or let you jump out of the writer’s block zone. Sit down and write
a review on that book or a review of what happened in your day. There
you have it, you wrote something, that’s a sign that your writer’s block is
leaving you. Welcome back to the creative writing streak.
Thank you
for reading.
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