Writer’s Block

Writer’s block and I are old friends. I think we first became acquainted in junior high.

Last week, it popped up again. Well, if I’m being honest, the last month has been me staring at a blank computer screen and eventually saying, “Screw it” and checking my email instead.

That all changed yesterday. But, I’ll get to that in a minute.

There are a few reasons why (I think) people experience writer’s block:

1) You try to write better than you actually can.

2) You care too much about what other people will think.

3) You are fresh out of ideas.

4) You have TOO MANY ideas, and can’t make sense of the chaos.

I’ve struggled with all, from time to time.

Reason #1 pops up regularly. I haven’t been satisfied with my writing lately. It just felt BORING. I was SO close to just scrapping the whole manuscript and starting from scratch.

Thankfully, I went through a similar process when writing my first book, so my husband know how to reel me back in. Basically lots of encouragement and glasses of wine, peppered with his own special brand of comfort:

Don’t be stupid, Chelsey. Just keep working at it. 

Reason #2: Wondering what people will think: I often wonder how my second book will compare to my first. I’ve had a lot of positive feed back about Can’t Always Get What You Want. Will people like my second book just as much?

Reasons #3 and #4: I’m rarely out of ideas. In fact, I’m usually brimming with ideas (which end up being written on scrap pieces of paper and in emails and in notebooks, and later I have to piece it back together like a puzzle). But, there are times where I’m completely out of ideas, and have no idea of what to write next.

That all changed yesterday.

It was just an ordinary day.

I fed and dressed my kids. We walked to Starbucks for a coffee. Then we went to the park.

But for some reason, something in my head finally clicked and ideas were flowing nonstop. It was like a river of creativity had opened up, and I couldn’t help but write.

What made yesterday different from any other day? What dislodged my writer’s block?

I have a few theories:

1) Problem: You try to write better than you actually can.

Solution: Give yourself permission to write badly.

When I let go of the idea that my writing has to be “good,” writing is easy. (Well, at least easier). Write whatever comes to mind, whether you think it’s good or bad, doesn’t matter. You can edit later.

2) Problem: You care too much about what other people will think.

 Solution: Write for you, and you alone.

3) Problem: You are fresh out of ideas.

(I have two ways to fix this):

Solution 1: Think about something else.

Ever have those moments where you KNOW the answer is on the tip of your tongue, but for the love of God, you can’t spit it out? And then a while later, when you’re doing something completely unrelated, the answer comes to you?

Sometimes when you try to force an idea out, it will cling to the dark recesses of your mind. Sometimes you have to ignore the idea (and the fact that you’re searching for it at all) before it will wander out and say, “Here I am!”

Who knows why. Maybe your mind just needs to relax.

So distract yourself. Read a book. Listen to music you love. Go shopping. Do some people watching. Basically, do anything fun.

Laughter is another powerful to free up your mind. I’ll usually look at www.fml.com if I need a pick me up. Not only does this instantly lift my mood, but these stories are often so funny (or so awful) that I start to envision the back story and the characters.

Solution 2: Exercise!!!

When your body is in motion, it puts your mind into motion as well. Whether it’s a walk outside, cleaning your kitchen, dancing around the living room or whatever, your state of mind will change if you start moving.

I’m convinced that’s what made the difference yesterday. I went for a walk with my kids, and BAM! All of these thoughts and ideas connected in ways they never had before.

4) Problem: You have TOO MANY ideas, and can’t make sense of the chaos.

Solution: Put everything in one spot.

Yesterday, I collected all of my scrap pieces of paper, my notebooks, the emails I sent myself (I usually think of dialogue while I’m running errands, and will email the ideas to myself), and tried to make sense of the chaos. Physically organizing these ideas helped me to mentally organize them as well. Now that everything is in its place, I feel that I can carry on with the story.

Reading my old notes also helped to get my thoughts flowing. One idea would lead to another, and next thing I knew it, I had wrote over 3,000 words, and had a completely organized story line.

Having an organized, pretty space to work in helps too.

Follow Chelsey ‘s board Office Inspiration on Pinterest.

Writer’s block and I will meet again. I know we will.

But, that’s okay. The next time I’m staring at a blank screen, not sure of what to write, I’ll go for a walk, have a laugh, listen to some good tunes, and then write whatever comes to mind.

What do you do to overcome writer’s block?

– Chelsey