8 Steps to Defeating Writer's Block

Most people have encountered writer's block at an early stage in life. It's usually at school when the teacher issues a writing assignment that isn't particularly lucrative sounding at the time. You begin to think about the many other things that you could be doing at that time. Things like recess, lunch, building a sweet fort, climbing a tree, etc. And before you know it you can't think of a single sentence to write that's related to your assignment.

While it's a bit more whimsical to think of writer's block in terms of grade school, it can have some real consequences later in life when you are expected to meet rigid writing deadlines or put food on the table by selling your next article. Luckily, there are some sure fire techniques that I know and use to combat writer's block at school, the workplace, online, and elsewhere.


1. Stop Censoring Yourself

I don't mean in language, but in thought. This is the first and most important step. Too often, people tend to discredit an idea before it ever gets traction in their minds. Allow your creativity some room to breathe and don't throw out an idea just because it sounds too difficult or farfetched to express at first glance.


2. Read Often

Make a daily habit of reading something of interest. Not only does this make you a better writer, but it spurs creativity. Take a trip to your local library and just browse interesting subjects for an hour or two. You'll find that even that small amount of reading can really stimulate your creative side.


3. Stop Being Afraid of Bad Drafts

It's a draft for a reason, and it's also why we have the editing process. Turning a bad piece of writing into a good piece of writing is a lot easier than writing something good from just the whizzing thoughts in your head.


4. Take a Break

Your mind needs a rest just like any other part of your body. Sometimes when you've spent all day or night working on something, you lose the ability to think clearly and focus on what's important. Your mind will begin to wander to distant places that you'd rather be and you won't be able to even draw up the motivation to write another sentence. Go do something else that you enjoy, and don't come back until you've forgotten about the subject of your writing for at least a little while. A fresh mind goes a long way.


5. Focus on the Tree, Not the Forrest

By this I mean only think about the thing you are writing about right now. Don't focus on all the other things you want to write about tomorrow or next week. If you find this difficult to do, you may need to narrow your writing topic to something more specific and maybe write multiple articles or publications on the original topic.


6. Schedule Writing Time

You can schedule this time to be every day or just a few days a week. Either way, make sure you set aside some time to just focus on your writing without distraction. If someone asks you to be available during your writing time, tell them you cannot because you're writing. If you tend to think about everything else you have to do while writing, try making a list of those things before you sit down to write. This can help ease your mind of those responsibilities.


7. Reflect on Previous Writing Experiences

Reflect on the good and bad ones. In regards to a good writing experience, how did the process happen from start to end? What does that experience have in common with other good writing experiences? Likewise, do the same for bad writing experiences. Often, you'll find that you may have a common denominator in helping or preventing your writing process. Write these things down once you find out what they are and post them near to where you write.


8. Try Something New

Try something new, or do something out of the ordinary. This one works best for me because it heightens my senses and arouses creativity. Have you ever explored an abandoned building? Built a tree fort? Taken an impulsive road trip? All these can be great adventures. Nothing breeds creativity like a new life experience. You only live once! You might as well have something interesting to write about.

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