Whether working on a non-fiction article or a short story, writer’s block is one thing I think all writers probably face at one time or another. My favorite way to beat the block? Make a word collage. I’m a visual, artsy person, so I keep a stack of catalogs on hand for art projects. When I’m dealing with writers block, I’ll pull out a few catalogs, old magazines, newspapers, junk mail (anything with words). I cut the words out and rearrange them. I don’t use the words to write anything, but playing around with the process clears my mind and inspires me somehow. Yes, I’m weird! But there you have it.
How do YOU beat writers block?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Amy,
I think your art idea is pretty neat. Sounds like a great idea, actually.
Hope you’re feeling better. I’d read somewhere on one of your blogs that you’ve been under the weather. Get well soon!
Lately, I’ve had a lot of steady flowing inspiration, so that’s a blessing.
But before I started my blog: http://writingthecyberhighway.blogspot.com/
I was so blank. Words didn’t seem to flow right. When they came, they seemed “choppy” to me. The story/article just didn’t seem to “come together” like it should.
Then I started blogging and I’ve been inspired every since. Now I have so many ideas, I can’t write quick enough!
Is it the blog? A lot of it, I think. But I think it’s writing consistently that helps a lot.
So, when you don’t know what to write, can’t think of anything to write, don’t feel like writing… Write. That’s the answer
Hi Michele. Thanks. I am feeling a little better, although I’m not fully “back” yet. Whatever it is has really drained me, and unfortunately I’ve been very busy so haven’t had enough time to rest (although I did giving up working late nights for two weeks). I hardly ever get this busy, so it was really just bad timing.
I am glad blogging has helped you beat writers block. I’ve found that blogging makes my writers block worse. Can’t say why exactly. I suspect that commenting on lots of other blogs makes me feel like I’m running out of steam, but I’m not really sure if that’s completely it.
Please do comment and discuss.
We love a good conversation!
Please use a name when commenting. Does not have to be your real name or full name. But responding to folks calling themselves "Make Money Writing Online" and such kinda sucks. Calling yourself keywords will likely get you thrown into my spam filter.