Whether you are a seasoned writer or just getting started with your writing career, there’s a point where you will have to deal with what’s referred to as writer’s block. It is a situation where your mind goes blank and you seem unable to generate new ideas.
But what causes writer’s block?
There are two common causes of writer’s block. The first one is fear. As a writer at essay writing service or blog writing, you may be worried about how people are going to respond or react to your writing. The second cause is the desire to be perfect. Most writers often want to offer nothing but the best to their audience. As a result, they end up with a lot of pressure to attain that perfection. Below are 10 ways to overcome writer’s block:
1. Take a break
This might sound like a joke, especially when you are in a hurry to finish meeting some deadlines. But taking a break is the best thing you can do to calm and heal your mind. Writing may seem easy but it takes a toll on your mind. Opening your notepad or screen for hours won’t generate any words. You need to engage your brain to put ideas and thoughts into paper. Taking a break means engaging in something that doesn’t put a strain on your brain. Go away for the weekend if you can. Better yet, do something in nature you haven’t done in a while like going camping or hiking. The point is to relax so enjoy your naps in your camper bed.
2. Change your writing environment
You will be surprised at what a simple change in your environment can do. If you are used to doing your writing in a living room or studio, try moving outside and see what happens. You can also decide to do your writing at a park, local library, college campus, or even at a coffee shop. It is all about breaking the monotony.
3. Create a writing schedule
This is also another great way of combating writer’s block. Come up with a timetable to accomplish your writing. This means showing up to write even if you don’t feel like it. Doing so over and over will help tune both your mind and body into writing. Ideas will start flowing naturally when the time to write is almost approaching.
4. Get rid of or minimize all forms of distraction
This is one big mistake that many people make. When struggling with writer’s block, you may find yourself getting your phone and drowning in social media. Before you know it, you will have forgotten that you were writing something. The best way to deal with this is to eliminate all manner of distractions. This will help you focus more and make your writing effective.
5. Set deadlines
Just like any other task, set writing deadlines. This is something that many writers find hard to do. But you can get a writing partner and decide to hold each other to deadlines in a healthy and encouraging way. Knowing that there’s someone holding you accountable will help you to go beyond limits to achieve results.
6. Practice free writing
Freewriting is the art of picking something totally different and writing about it. Let’s assume for example you are having a hard time coming up with the second verse of your poem. Try to forget about that poem and start writing something new. What will happen is that your brain will shift focus on other things, thus easing pressure and stress.
7. Analyze the main issues behind your writer’s block
Take some time to pinpoint issues or anxieties related to creativity or writing. Talk to another person who also writes and find out what worries them most. There are several studies and books that have offered insights into why you may be experiencing writer’s block.
8. Use mind mapping
Mind mapping is the practice of finding a subject and noting down as much information as possible about it. This practice helps you have a 360-degree approach view of a subject before starting to write about it.
9. Use a different writing tool
Changing your writing tools is also a great way of dealing with writer’s block. If for example you are used to writing using your laptop, why not take a pen and paper? Or change from Microsoft Word to Google Docs?
10. Take a little nap
Believe it or not, this is also one way of tackling writer’s block. Taking a few minutes of sleep in your bed helps your mind and body to relax and wake up refreshed.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, writer’s block is often caused by a lot of pressure to deliver. Although this may be a good thing, do away with pressure and do your writing with pleasure.
