Sometimes, the struggle with words is real. Push past writer’s block with these time-tested tips. Photo by: Andrew Smith.
Sometimes the words don’t flow as readily as you’d like!
Overcome the frustration of writer’s block with these tips:
- Write a Letter to a Friend: If you can’t get a rhythm going, start off with a low-pressure writing exercise to get your juices flowing. A letter to a friend is a great way to start. Tackle a blank page with words like “Hey Gary, what’s up?,” and go from there. After a few lines you’ll be loosened up, your words will be flowing well and you can jump into your article with renewed energy.
- Work Your Outline: Tricky lead? Don’t get stuck at the beginning of your piece when you can work on other parts of the story. Shift your focus to your body or sidebars, and be productive there. Use your outline as a blueprint to keep your article on track.
- Play Word Games: Scrabble, Boggle and Rory’s Story Cubes can spur your creativity. Or try some nonverbal communication in a wordless game like Pictionary or Charades. By literally making a game of your writing, you can tamp down the pressure of a blank page.
- Exercise: Get your blood pumping and the productivity will follow. Run, stretch, lift, bike, squat, walk, breathe. A burst of physical activity will get your energy level up, and provide you a renewed focus for your piece.
- Write a Pitch Letter: Query letters require a more a persuasive writing style – since their objective is to land you work. By tapping into your sales side, you’ll take more of a “lean forward” approach to your writing, which can translate into renewed urgency when you turn back to your piece.
Next time the page is staring back at you with blankness, try one of these approaches to break through the block, and start creating.
What are some ways you overcome writer’s block?