When I was asked to write about how to write I was ecstatic. I got right down to work determined to do a good job. I immediately opened up a new document in my word program did a little stretch and place my fingers on home row ready to write something profound about this great art. After a good minute of starring at a blank page counting the cursor blinks, I realized that I wasn't getting anywhere. So I decided to give my mind a chance to process the request. I went to file and clicked "save as". When the popup menu asked me what I wanted to name my file I found myself once again transfixed. What do you name nothing? Time was of the essence so I wrote writers block in the blank and clicked save. I went away and came back later with the will to accomplish my task. I opened the file and was disheartened by the utter whiteness of the page. So much for my writing ability. I was about to click close when I noticed the title and had a brainstorm.
What is the one thing that every writer has in common no matter what they write? At one point or another they all have had writers block. So what do you do about it?
Well there are several was to approach this problem. The First thing we need to do is established what the problems is. Writers Block is a condition that causes an author to lose his or her ability to create new work. This issue can be created by many factors. Including but not limited to insecurity, outside distractions, malnutrition, and stress. Now that we have identified the problem and possible causes lets discuss some solutions. Keep in mind that everyone is different and what works for some may not work for everyone. The fist and foremost thing to remember though is not to give up no matter how long it takes.
Which brings us to our first cause for writers block, insecurity.
Problem: Have you found yourself saying? Why am I writing this? I am no good at this! Or Who would want to read this junk anyway?
Solutions: You are your own worst enemy. Start by not dwelling on who is going to read your work or what you are going to do with it when you are finished. Try to remember why it is you started writing in the first place. When you first picked up a pen it wasn't because you wanted a bunch of money or fame. It is because you felt the itch. This itch is an uncontrollable urge to write something anything just to put your emotions into words. What it all boils down to is the simple fact that you need to stop dwelling on the "what if factor" and write because you love to do so not for the end results.
Next we have outside distractions. Lets face it we live in a digital age filled with computers, cell phones, TV, and music. On top of that we have non electronic distractions like family, friends, emotions, and deadlines. All of these things can cause us to clam up and neglect our writing.
Solutions: First, write something creative every day that is not part of your big project just to keep your creative juices flowing even if it is as simple as an interesting status update. Second set time limits for yourself for playing on the Internet or talking on the phone. Take a little time for yourself to write everyday even if it means getting up early or going to bed a little late. You will be surprised to find that a few minuets a day add up to a lot. This will results in reducing the daunting task of completing it all at once.
Next just because you are under a deadline or you are on a streak doesn't mean that you can neglect the basic human needs such as food and rest. There is nothing that will stop you in your tracks faster than an unbalanced chemistry make sure you stop periodically to replenish yourself.
Finally the most severe problem is stress because it can be both the cause and the result of the all the other factors regarding writers block.
Solutions: Take a break for a while and think of anything at all but writing. Do something you love to do such as gardening, taking a walk, or baking. Try to mentally isolate yourself from stressful issues in you life when you sit down to write. In other words you must leave your problems at the office door so to speak. Finally take care of your bodies needs stress can be aggravated by low levels of the basic essentials.
In conclusion you cannot avoid writers block but you can lesson its severity by following these simple rules.
Rule one: You must always write for yourself.
Rule two: Minimize your external distractions.
Rule thee: Always take care of your bodies needs first.
Rule Four: When you sit down to write. Relax and take a deep breath and think about rule number one. Then separate your life from your work. Instead of worrying about your problems channel your extra emotions into what you are writing. If you do this you will find you write better and when you are done you might find that your mind is freer to deal with other things.
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