Writer’s block - everyone gets it. You’re staring into what seems to be oblivion on a blank screen. Your brain is empty, and you can just start to feel a migraine tightening its grip around your temples... A horrible mixture of distraction, procrastination and the dread of looming deadlines stirs up a tornado of dread in your gut. Sounds familiar?
Conventional wisdom is to “just get something down on paper,” but that often produces mediocre results. Instead, let loose and show your creative side. Give these tips a try:
1. Hi the road, Jack!
Get away from your desk and take a short trip. Forget the car and take public transport. Bring a writing pad or scribble notes on your iPhone, and don’t stop until you reach your destination.
2. Get the stencils and felt-tips out
Think outside the box and get back to basics, or in this case, think glitter pens and cardboard. Brainstorm to your hearts content, put your ideas into pictures, and the right words will come!
3. Do a mundane task that relaxes you
Singing badly while dusting, washing the dishes, or alphabetizing your DVDs… the list goes on and on. Once your mind starts to relax it acts as a major de-stressor, which might have been the root of your writer’s block in the first place.
4. Switch your writing software
Are you a Microsoft Word user through and through? Well change things up! Switch to Google Docs or WordPress. Change your font. Making your environment new and exciting may give you just the boost you need.
5. Find inspiration… at a bookstore
Where better to find motivation than a whole store devoted to words! Look through blurbs and content pages to find themes and action words that hit home - or better yet, your writing pad.