Getting Around the Block
Hey there, fellow word-wranglers! It’s time to talk about that annoying little creature that all of us face at one point or another — writer’s block. It’s that moment when your brain feels like it has gone on strike, and you find yourself stuck. Your word count remains unchanged, and all creativity has sauntered right out your front door with no note about when it plans to return. But do not throw in the towel just yet. I have just what you need to overcome this sneaky foe and get your juices flowing again!
Go Outside
I know you’ve heard this before, but it is still worth repeating. There is a reason why this is on the list; it works! Whether you decide to stroll around the lake at a nearby park, take a walk around your neighborhood, or just enjoy the tranquility of your own backyard, a change of scenery can do wonders. Sometimes stepping away from your usual writing place is all it takes to spark inspiration again.
Get Moving
Sometimes the best way to get your brain moving is by moving your body, so turn up the music and have a quick dance party! Shake off those mental cobwebs while you shake your hips to some of your favorite music. You can even grab a hairbrush and sing along! Just let loose and you may find that your writer’s block loosens up a little in the process too.
Read Something
When you have hit a wall on the piece you so desperately want to finish, stop and grab a good book in the same genre. If you are working on a blog, read a few new posts by your favorites by bloggers. If you are struggling with a poem, reach for your collection of e.e. cummings (my personal favorite). If you are working on a short story, grab your recent edition of The Best American Short Stories and indulge for an hour. In other words, read work by someone who did it well and let them be your muse. You’ll be surprised by how well this works. Plus, you get to read. It’s a win-win!
Do Anything Else
It feels counterintuitive, but when you have tried and tried and you still aren’t getting anywhere, doing something else just may be the key. So, give yourself permission to take a break. Work on a different project, sweep the kitchen, catch up on your laundry (we all have a pile waiting for us somewhere), or simply doodle for a bit in that journal that has been collecting dust. At times, the best way to tackle the brain freeze we call writer’s block is to not tackle it at all. And then, when you are ready to come back to your desk and start again, you just might find you have a whole new perspective and the creativity to back it up.
Call a Friend
Reach out to a fellow writer for feedback, collaboration, and encouragement. No one knows the pain of writer’s block quite like another writer. Working with other writers can provide you with new insights and fresh ideas. Having a writing peer that you can call when you are feeling low is invaluable. And maybe one day you will get a chance to return the favor.
Most importantly, remember that writer’s block is not a permanent condition. It goes as quickly as it comes and is just a part of the writing journey. We don’t like it, but it never stays too long if you know what to do. Don’t worry, the words will find their way back to you in time and the result will be worth it!
Happy writing!
