what type of things do you do to help you overcome writers block?

Question

what are some good strategies to overcome writers block?

Answer 1

Writer's block is often caused by conflicted feelings. We want the writing to be perfect and we want the damned thing done as soon as possible. We know what we know but we don't know what our readers know. We know how the memo should sound, but we don't have all the facts we need. We know everything about the software, but we don't know what an article should look like. We know what we have to say but we are afraid that it won't measure up to our expectations or to our readers'.

All of these feelings are natural and normal. Everyone finds writing a challenge. Many writers, however, compound their problems by employing weak writing strategies. When these methods fail, they give up.

Effective Strategies for Avoiding Writer's Block
: Making notes
Jot down ideas and phrases as they occur to you. Free yourself from paragraphs and sentences for the moment--use flow charts, arrows, boxes, outlines, even pictures. Right now, you are worried about getting things down before you forget them.

: Freewriting/Brainstorming
When you're not just blocked, when you're stonewalled, try freewriting. Sit down for ten minutes and write down everything you can think of about your topic. The object is to write without stopping for the whole ten minutes. If you can think of anything to say, write "blah, blah, blah" over and over. If other things occur to you as you write, go ahead and record them, even if they are not directly related to your topic. These distractions may be part of what is keeping you blocked.

Freewriting is good for uncovering ideas--it's a good way to nudge "inspiration." But the main purpose of freewriting is to get you moving! Most of what you write in those ten minutes will go in the recycling bin, but you'll be warmed up and your serious writing should go more smoothly.

Brainstorming resembles freewriting but it is more goal-directed. You start not only with a topic, say PROFS, but also with a goal: What do new users need to know about this system? Then allow yourself to jot down ideas for a set amount of time without censoring any possibilities and without striving for perfect prose. When the "storm" has passed you can rearrange ideas, put thoughts into complete sentences, edit and polish.

: Piecework
Sometimes, starting at the beginning induces Perfect Draft Syndrome. It may be easier to get started if you approach the task sideways. If you've got a plan for the article or manual, choose a section from the middle or a point you know well and start there. Then do another section. After you've gained some confidence, you can work on the opening and smooth out the transitions.

: What I Really Mean Is (WIRMI)
When you're stuck in a quagmire trying to find the perfect phrase, switch to What I Really Mean Is and just say it the way you think it. Once you know what you mean, it is easier to refine the phrasing.

: Satisficing (satisfy + suffice)
You 'satisfice' when you take the first reasonable solution instead of searching endlessly for just the right word or sentence. If you're unhappy with the choice, you can bracket it and promise yourself you'll fix it later.

Answer 2

I'm not sure I really believe in writer's block. Still, there are ways to get past the slumps and invite the Muse over.

Give yourself permission to write crap. Lousy idea, poor grammar and spelling, stilted dialogue, any sucky stuff you want. Write it anyway. Written things can be revised or rewritten to improve them. The blank pages of the 'blocked' remain blank.

Change your writing environment. Try something radically different. If you write on your computer in a quiet room, try a spiral notebook in a park or coffee house, or ruled paper on your grandmother’s dining room table. (Not recommended: your blood on walls.)

Perform writing exercises. (Google for thousands of them.)

Move physically. Play a sport, go for a walk or run, swing on a playground, whatever you like, but get your blood pumping. When it's racing through your body, the brain gets plenty of oxygen--and ideas.

Give yourself blocks of unstructured time when you’re not likely to be sleepy. Find a quiet place, think about your current writing project, and let your mind wander. Rein it back to the subject as needed. This can be combined with physical movement--a long walk may be an idea wellspring.

Play 'What If' with what you see. What if the kid cutting your sandwich suddenly plunged that knife into the woman at the cash register? What if he merely put caustic chemicals in the mayonnaise? What if the sandwich and kid are fine, but you choked, right here at your table? What if you gave your sandwich to that lady over there who looks poor? What if she thanked you for it by giving you something valuable (that she didn't think was worth more than the sandwich)? What if you sold it and couldn’t find her to give her any of the money? What if she found you and demanded all of it? What if...

Write daily, every day, no exceptions, for a set amount of time. If you can't write, you must remain in your writing environment for the set amount of time anyway. Your choices are write and don’t write. No games, no internet, no music. (This is the BIC method--butt in chair.)

Stimulate your mind with new experiences. If you're a movie fan, see a play or watch street performance. Hear live music rather than CDs, or listen to something in a genre you know nothing about. Eavesdrop on or observe people unlike most of the ones you know. People watch (and invent lives for passers-by). Attend a sporting event (any kind, at any level) where you don't know anyone and watch the crowd rather than the players.

On waking, jot down the surrealistic snippets of whatever dreams you remember. They don't mean anything, IMO, but the odds are good that they're packed with drama.

Answer 3

It depends on what you are writing. If you are writing a novel I suggest going to a movie in a movie theater. If you are writing a term paper on ancient Egypt go make sandcastle on the beach or in the sand box. Do something else but still somewhat associated but simple enough to allow your mind think about the subject matter.

Answer 4

I enjoy writing,however if there is anything going on in my life,that messes with or weighs heavy on my mind,I get completely off kilter and cannot even complete a sentence. When I am happy and my head is clear,and I am in the mood,I can be very creative,I use that time to do what I enjoy..... Write, write write when the spirit moves you to do so.

Answer 5

Ask myself questions .Why is this so difficult to write about? Why am I protecting this topic from exposure? What is this ?questions like this have helped me to think differently and view the point with a clear view. weather fact or fiction.

Answer 6

well as a writer I grab my pen, and start detailing my life I incorporate new elements to add substance and drama give it a try, to much realism is can be boring, not enough isn't worth reading, best of luck