Valerie Miller
There are several different things you can do to help with writers block if/when you face it.
First thing I like to do is try to figure out WHY my words are not flowing. As a writer, nothing is more frustrating than staring at the same spot on a page! It almost feels like you are stuck worse than Indiana Jones in quick sand, just sinking with no words left to cry out for help. OK, maybe not THAT bad... but it still sucks to feel your flow come to a complete halt.
Most often, the answer to WHY is because something else is calling your attention. Are you worried or stressed about something? Is there anything that you are completely excited about and can't wait for it to happen? Are you feeling guilty because you know you have been neglecting other things that should be/need to be doing? Is the weather outside screaming your name to come take advantage of it???
Usually, the answer is one of the above. The best way to get rid of your block is to handle your distraction. Sometimes you will find that your best ideas come to you when you are not writing! I like to have little notebooks around the house and car for this exact reason. If all else fails, I will try to text myself an email on my thought before it goes away.
Life is meant to be lived. We can't always be in front of a computer, or pen and paper. This is where it comes in handy to send yourself a message. You will feel satisfied in knowing that thought will not be forgotten, and you will then be able to fully focus on what it was that you were doing!
If all else fails, a few other tips to get your flow back...
Exercise! Find ways to get the blood flowing through your body and to your brain. Most writers need extra exercise anyway because of all the hours we sit and extra snacks we eat.
Music! Find music that gets you feeling creative. Maybe it is a certain instrument that calls to your soul? Maybe it is a certain beat that makes you feel alive? Maybe it is the lyrics that move your emotions to a new level? Find music that makes you feel your entire range of emotions!
Nature! Find ways to get outside and create your OWN distractions. When you distract yourself, you are in control of the situation. You get to decide exactly what it is that you want to do and how you think it will make you feel. Again, most ideas come to us when we are NOT in front of our writing desk.
Multiple Books! Not just for writing, but for reading too. I may be a writer, but I am still a reader too! I love to read as much as I love to write. I also have multiple books still in my head and in the progress of writing. You may be stuck on one book, but you might be able to flow freely on another. This is where notes come in handy too, making notes for your books is still progress! Maybe reading a book will spark an idea for your book?
Most bakers don't bake just one style of bread every single day. They bake different breads based off the ingredients they have available at that time. If they find that one bread is doing better than the others, they will of course put more focus on the one-but they try not to neglect all the others. LOL, now I really want some bread!
Happy writing and may your blocks become your hurdles that you decide to jump for fun!
First thing I like to do is try to figure out WHY my words are not flowing. As a writer, nothing is more frustrating than staring at the same spot on a page! It almost feels like you are stuck worse than Indiana Jones in quick sand, just sinking with no words left to cry out for help. OK, maybe not THAT bad... but it still sucks to feel your flow come to a complete halt.
Most often, the answer to WHY is because something else is calling your attention. Are you worried or stressed about something? Is there anything that you are completely excited about and can't wait for it to happen? Are you feeling guilty because you know you have been neglecting other things that should be/need to be doing? Is the weather outside screaming your name to come take advantage of it???
Usually, the answer is one of the above. The best way to get rid of your block is to handle your distraction. Sometimes you will find that your best ideas come to you when you are not writing! I like to have little notebooks around the house and car for this exact reason. If all else fails, I will try to text myself an email on my thought before it goes away.
Life is meant to be lived. We can't always be in front of a computer, or pen and paper. This is where it comes in handy to send yourself a message. You will feel satisfied in knowing that thought will not be forgotten, and you will then be able to fully focus on what it was that you were doing!
If all else fails, a few other tips to get your flow back...
Exercise! Find ways to get the blood flowing through your body and to your brain. Most writers need extra exercise anyway because of all the hours we sit and extra snacks we eat.
Music! Find music that gets you feeling creative. Maybe it is a certain instrument that calls to your soul? Maybe it is a certain beat that makes you feel alive? Maybe it is the lyrics that move your emotions to a new level? Find music that makes you feel your entire range of emotions!
Nature! Find ways to get outside and create your OWN distractions. When you distract yourself, you are in control of the situation. You get to decide exactly what it is that you want to do and how you think it will make you feel. Again, most ideas come to us when we are NOT in front of our writing desk.
Multiple Books! Not just for writing, but for reading too. I may be a writer, but I am still a reader too! I love to read as much as I love to write. I also have multiple books still in my head and in the progress of writing. You may be stuck on one book, but you might be able to flow freely on another. This is where notes come in handy too, making notes for your books is still progress! Maybe reading a book will spark an idea for your book?
Most bakers don't bake just one style of bread every single day. They bake different breads based off the ingredients they have available at that time. If they find that one bread is doing better than the others, they will of course put more focus on the one-but they try not to neglect all the others. LOL, now I really want some bread!
Happy writing and may your blocks become your hurdles that you decide to jump for fun!
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Jun 12, 2021 11:18PM · flag