Otherwise known as that annoying sludge the clouds a writer’s mind. Most every writer gets it at one time or another and it always seems to arrive out of the blue. It’s that unwelcome guest, who arrives unannounced and doesn’t want to leave. You try to shake it off and focus on the page before you, but nothing comes out. Nothing at all. Bah! Yes, the annoying sludge has seeped in deep!
There are endless ways of trying to combat writer’s block and over the years. I’ve tried many of them and am always looking for new ideas. I’ll list a few of the ones I’ve used before here:
- Step away from the story and focus on something else that doesn’t involve writing.
- Go for a walk and let your mind clear.
- Paint, draw, do something else creative that doesn’t involve writing.
- Try writing something else, even simple creative exercises.
- Play a favorite CD.
- Exercise.
- Keep writing despite the writer’s block and see if you can just work it through.
- Do the dishes, laundry, or whatever menial chore that needs to get done anyway.
- Clean away any clutter in your work area.
- Try writing in a different room, even outside.
Sometimes I try combinations of the above. Other times I just keep taking care of everything else I need to get done and magically the block disappears.
What do you do? Do you have methods that have worked for you? Ones that haven’t? Feel free to share.
