This page contains archived copies of Tundraco's Guide for the Frustrated Writer's weekly Tips for Overcoming Writers' Block, by Rochelle Caviness.
- Read the Newspaper
If you are having difficulty figuring out 'what comes next' or finding an idea to write about - be it fiction or nonfiction - take the time to read a newspaper from cover to cover. From murder and mayhem to the latest medical and technological innovations you will find a wealth of ideas that may be just what you need to jump start your brain.
- Write a Letter to Yourself
Can't figure out how your story is going to end? Trouble thinking up a topic for your next article or project. Write yourself a letter explaining what your problem is, what you like or dislike about the piece, why your stuck, or the topics you've considered and why you've rejected them. Now reread the letter pretending that you are an unbiased critic. Think about the recommendations that you would offer the writer to move the story along, or offer suggestions on the article topics. Do you think that the writer's reasoning is valid? If not, why? As you take a step back and look at your own work from a distance, you will find that it is often easier to notice the flaws that have been holding your back from completing the piece you are working on.
- Write Every Day
"Write every day, even if you don't feel like it!" This is an admonishment that every writer hears - and it is good advice to follow. You'll understand this axiom better if you view writing as a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly, both to increase its strength and to increase its stamina. If you don't, it will get loose and flabby and not work properly. However, if you keep it toned and in shape, not only will you be able to work for longer periods of time, but you'll also find that you are faced with far fewer cases of writers' block than you were when your writing 'muscle' was undeveloped.
- Eat a Proper Meal, and Then Go Take a Walk
Writing is a sedentary activity, and all too many writers not only work at their computer or typewriter, but they also eat there. Or more likely, snack or drink caffeinated beverages the entire time they are working. Worse, because writing is so sedentary and many writers find it hard to 'stop' once they get going, all too few exercise regularly. Both the sitting and the lack of exercise serve to decrease the blood flow to your brain - which can make you sluggish and worse, it can make it hard for you to think properly. Whether you are suffering through writers' block, on just adding on a few too many pounds - stop eating at your desk, and if you must snack, choose healthy snacks such as fruit or vegetables and limit the number of caffeinated beverages that you drink in a day. Save the caffeine for those times when you are working on a deadline and really need the extra boost that caffeine gives you. Next, make a date with yourself - or better yet your family or a friend, and sit down at a table and have a proper, well-balanced meal. This will not only give you a chance to socialize, but it will also give you an excuse to take a break. Now, after your meal, but before you go back to work, take a brisk walk. Not only will your walk get your blood pumping, but it is also an ideal time to think about your current project and to ponder just what comes next - without the pressure of sitting at the keyboard. Be sure to take a note pad or tape-recorder with you just in case you come up with that needed line of dialogue or a burst of inspiration, so that you can take down some notes.
- What Would You Take To a Deserted Island?
This is an old technique for stirring the imagination. If you knew that you were going to be stranded on a deserted island for, say ten years, what would you take with you? To make this task more challenging, you are only allowed to take two average sized suitcases with you. The island can be situated anywhere you want, from the Caribbean, to the north sea, or even on another planet. It doesn't matter, the fun is in figuring out what you would take with you. Survival equipment? Books? Someone to share your adventure? The choice is yours, but choose wisely - ten years can be a very long time...
- Read a Dictionary
Going through a really tough dry spell? First off, don't stop writing. Even if all that you manage to write is your name, keep writing. So, how are you going to work yourself out of this seemingly interminable bout of writers' block? Start off by rereading the last few pages that you've written, or the section that you are finding it hard to move on from. Next, find a good dictionary. Technically, any dictionary will do, but try to find one that gives detailed definitions and has the largest number of entries that you can find. (i.e., go for a collegiate dictionary over a children's dictionary.) Next, pick a page or two at random and read through all the entries. Not only will this exercise give you the opportunity to discover new words that you can use in your writing, but you'll find that this foray into the world of words will help jump-start you imagination and help you to get back to work on your current project.
- You Are Not Alone
Writing is a solitary endeavor, and when you reach a stumbling point, it can seem as if you are going through a problem that no one else has ever dealt with. The truth is, however, almost every writer out there has gone through a dry spell. To help you through this temporary slow down in your writing, it can be helpful to discover how other writers have dealt with similar situations. If you can, network with other writers or join a writer's group. However, if you cannot meet with other writers in person, check out the wealth of autobiographical books in which various writers have discussed the writing process, how they dealt with writers' block, and the other pitfalls of writing. In addition, these books often provide insights into the joys and satisfaction that can be achieved through perseverance and by honing your writing skills. Once you realize that you are not alone, and that other writers have had to deal with many of the same issues that you are going through, you will find it easier to work through any bouts of writers' block that you encounter. As an added bonus, in these books you'll discover tips on dealing with rejection, information on the publication process, and you will receive encouragement to continue pursuing the career that you have embarked upon. Suggested readings included, Starting from Scratch: A Different Kind of Writers' Manual by Rita Mae Brown, Alone in a Room: Secrets of Successful Screenwriters by John Scott Lewinski, and Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir of the Writer's Life by Bret Lott.
- Take a Gander at the Want Ads
So you're stuck again. Need a neat trick to break your writer's block? Try reading the want ads. This will do one of two things; get you writing, or help you discover your next career. Reading the want ads are a great way to spark the imagination. Once I came across an ad looking for an experience guillotine operator - except for a phone number, no other information was provided. Let your imagination wander and see what you make of this ad. Was it a simple ad looking for someone to operate a cutting machine in a factory, or, could it be that the French guillotine is making a comeback?
- Give Yourself Permission to Take a Few Days Off
Everybody says that one of the keys to becoming a good writer is to write every day. But let's face it, everybody needs a day off now and then. Yet, when you give yourself permission to take some time off - there is always the specter of that dreaded demon, Guilt, reminding you that your time would be better spent working. One trick to getting around the 'guilt' factor is to make all your holidays working holidays. For example, the next time you go to a family gathering, you can do some effortless background research for whatever project you are working. This can be done simply by scrutinizing the family banter during dinner, you can also study how your family members dress and act, or examine the place settings and home decor. You get the idea. As long as you call your relaxation research, you'll find that it is a bit easier to give yourself permission to take a day or two off here and there. Just don't over do it. As an added bonus, on your day off you might just discover that little something that your story has been needing.
- Invest In a Good Set of Ear Plugs
Sometimes writers' block is nothing more than sensory overload. Your brain is assailed by so many diverse noises in the course of a day that it is easy for your creative voice to be drowned out. Common annoyances range from the sound of traffic, people talking, construction noise, the whine of a computer's fan, the gurgle of your refrigerator's compressor, to the hum of a flourescent light. Natural background noises, such as the twitter of a flock of birds, the croaking of frogs, or simply the bark of a dog can interfere with your concentration - and your creativity. It is nearly impossible to isolate yourself from the constant background noises that envelope us, but you can minimize its impact by investing in, and using, a high quality set of foam ear plugs, ear muffs, or better yet, a set of cushioned headphones. These headphones are comfortable to wear, and they can also do double duty if you want to use them when you listen to your stereo or radio.
- Take a Trip to the Library
Whether you are working on a nonfiction or fiction piece, one technique to get your creative juices flowing is to take a trip to your local public library - or better yet a university library. If you know what you want to work on, spend your time doing some background or in-depth research on your subject. Or, if you are really stuck or in need of inspiration - simply browse the stacks. Go to areas that you seldom visit and scan the titles and those books that 'look interesting'. If your library has a map room, go browse through the maps - the older the better. (You'll discover a wealth of obsolete names for various countries and regions, along with numerous countries that no longer exist.) The only drawback to going to the library is that you might find so many interesting books that you'll be tempted to spend all your time reading instead of writing - so let your motto be moderation in all things but writing!
- Try Using a Pen Name
Are you trapped in a cycle where you write something down, and then you spend so much time trying to perfect that one little piece that you never actually manage to finish your story? One way of tricking yourself into writing something that is not perfect, when gaged against your own self-imposed standards, is to write under a pseudonym, at least temporarily. When you start your work, jot down your title and pair it up with a fictitious byline, such as Johannes Dothan. As you write, keep in mind that you are not the one doing the writing, but rather Johannes is. You may find this to be very liberating because now you don't have to meet your own high standards. After all, Johannes is the one doing the writing. Once you get your first couple of drafts done, change the byline back to your real name and finish editing your piece. You'll find that once Johannes has written the entire piece, you'll not have that much trouble giving it the extra polish that it needs to meet your own exacting standards. Best of all, this trick will have helped get you out of the "it's not good enough" rut and on your way to being a prolific writer.
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