Tuesday 25 August 2015

Writer's block - and how to get rid of it

Time is passing by, and you are still here staring at the screen with little to no words on your document. You feel a headache coming on, and you know that you should be writing, but you just don't have any inspiration to. Your mind draws a blank. We have all experienced this feeling before.

You guessed it: Writer's block. A dreaded feeling that leaves us squirming, trying to pour out words before the deadline of our essays, or trying to push out an article every Friday for our blog. It's a horrible feeling. Surprisingly, writer's block can be more than no desire to write. It can also be your fear of talking. Here are a few tips to cure your writer's block:

  •  Talk to the little voice inside your head

Whether it's for your college professor or an article for thousands to read, thinking about whom will read it and what they will think about it can be daunting. So, forget about them and create a little voice in your head. That voice is your best friend, your number one fan, and loves everything that you put out. Talking to this voice will ease the anxiety you feel, thus providing a cure to your writer's block.

  •  Take breaks

Maybe you are just tense and need a break, and that is okay! Go wash the dishes, get up and stretch, take a shower, or do anything you need to do before getting back into the zone. Taking your mind off your writing could be just what you need to get your creative juices flowing. Forcing ideas to pop up in your head may actually be hindering your creativity. Inspiration for something genius can come when you least expect it.

  •  Take a trip

 Go to the park. Go see a friend that you haven't seen in ages. Just go somewhere, but there is a kicker: don't drive. Take a taxi, or bus, or even a plane. But don't forget your writing tools. Think about some ideas for your essay or article and jot them down as you ride. Don't stop until you arrive at your destination.

  •  Don't plan your posts

 A deadline could speed up the writing process, but it may end up making the writing not as good as it can be and making you feel very bad if you missed it. So, write on your own time. You may have lost motivation for a particular essay. Write whatever comes to your mind. That one spark may turn into a masterpiece.

  •  Try writing at a different place

 Getting up and leaving your work space may actually cure your writer's block. If you can, get up and leave that environment. Go to your local park, or Starbucks, or if you can't go to those places, just get up and move away from your desk. Take your laptop or iPad and just write.

  •  Reread your past writing

If you have some old posts, go back and read them.
Sometimes we lose motivation and need something to motivate us. Remember your very first post, or your very best post? Go back and read them word by word. You may be doubting your writing skills and need something to start you up again. That great writer is still inside you, and didn't go anywhere. See how great you are? Sometimes a little reminder is all we need to regain our confidence.

  •  Try writing at a different time of day

 Fixed schedules may become a part of our daily routines. Many famous writers have done it. Getting into a habit can be a good thing, but what if that habit becomes associated with something negative or boring? Change it around a little and experiment. Try writing in the early morning or late night. You may find yourself even more inspired.
 
  •  Stealing ideas is okay

Your desire to be original may be causing your writer's block all together. You have a great idea, but it has already been done before. That's okay! Take that idea and make it your own, but don't outright plagiarize and copy that person. Grab ideas from different sources and mix them together to make your own creation. Read and research your topics and use those ideas in your next piece. As Austin Kleon says: “All creative work builds on what came before.”

  •  Don't compare yourself to other people

It's good to read other people's work, but comparing your writing skills to their's may stop you from writing to your full potential. Your talents are unique. You should be embarrassing those talents for yourself without feeling that envy. Your basic and strait-to-the-point style of writing may communicate with your readers more than Author X's use of fancy words and vibrant metaphors. You will feel much better about your writing if you stopped comparing yourself to others. As well as to writing, this can of course also be applied to the beauty & fashion bloggers out there, you are your own unique self, so don't compare yourself to others.
 
  •    Just write, editing can come later


Attempting to create the perfect piece of literature can discourage you from finishing it. Stop trying to be perfect. Accept the fact that your rough draft may be crappy. Just write as fast as you can. Editing can come afterwards.
 
  •  Don't let your fear of criticism stop you
Haters lurk everywhere, in everyday life and the internet, and at least one person may not like you. You just have to deal with it and not let it get under your skin. What a few people think about your beliefs and writing in general should not affect you or your actions. Do not let them feel you with fear of getting your voice heard. It's not the end of the word. You are special and your talents should not go unheard. Letting go of the fear of negative criticism is one step towards eliminating writer's block. Remember: Haters gonna hate.

  •  Google things for inspiration

If you are having trouble finding a topic to write about, Google it. It's one of the most valuable tools right at your fingertips. Think of something you are passionate about and type it into the search bar. Google never fails.


I hope this provided some relief to your (potential) writer's block. 
Sure, there are countless ways to cure it, but I just stated some of the most effective and common ways.

What do you do to cure your writer's block? 


xxMicky

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25 comments

  1. Loved reading these tips! While I never really plan posts, sometimes if I have an idea & usually jot it down or put a note of it in my phone, then later on when I’m stuck I have a little list of ideas! Thanks for sharing your tips. I will have to try some next time!

    TFM BLOG

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  2. I did a post a while back like this, and it was one of my most popular ones! Myself and lot of other people found it very helpful, and I found this post very helpful! Well written and lovely as always :)

    Edie x
    thelifeofedie.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! & I'm glad it turned out such a successful post for you :)

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  3. I get blocks so often, I usually don't know what to post about except of DIY and outfits haha! Great post!:)

    KLAUDIA CLARA

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  4. This is such a lovely post! I do love to plan my posts, because I find it makes me much more inspired to write. It's definitely not for everyone, though ♥
    Amy xx

    Little Moon Dragon

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    Replies
    1. I agree :) & thank you for taking the time to read it!

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  5. this is definitely helpful also for those who suffer from the similar problems- creative block. As an architecture student I tend to go through writer's + creative block. This is so helpful Michelle! Thanks for sharing ^_^

    ♥ Lauren xx | laurlauu . beauty . fashion . life . blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you've found it helpful & thank you for reading! <3

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  6. Hi, Michelle!
    The layer of your writing and photos are so chic!
    I got some powers to write from you.
    Thank you very very much.
    Especially, I like “Tkake a trip” !!!

    akiko

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  7. Great post!! I love your tips! This is very helpful for me, thanks for sharing!<3
    (it's so hard to not compare my writings with others *sobs*)
    Btw, thanks for following me! I'm following your blog and I love your blog, too :D

    Regards,
    a-cupofrain.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for taking the time to read this post & thank you for following back! <3

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  8. Wow, thank you I'm going to check out your blog asap! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. A very helpful post. Thanks for sharing :)
    Would you like to follow each other on GFC?

    http://everythingthatclicks.blogspot.com

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  10. i loved this post. It gave me some ideas of what i should do when i get writers block.

    http://freespiritized.blogspot.com

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  11. I think these are far by the best tips I've ever heard. I think I'll try some of these out cuz I do get writer's block from time to time ^__^

    Linxnee-Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle

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  12. Taking a trip to a new environment always helps me write. If I have real bad writer's block, I'll just go to a library or coffee shop and make up a story about a stranger sitting there. It helps! But I do think the most important tip in any creative field is NOT compare yourself to others, just like you mentioned. You can only compare your work to your previous work, nothing else.

    http://aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com/

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  13. wow thankyou for posting this!
    im actually facing writers block lately due to my busy schedule.
    reading this actually really help me :)
    i will definitely try 'write in different place'

    www.petitediaries.com

    ReplyDelete

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