As a creative writing major, writer's block is something that wrecks my very core and ruins the brains of writers across the world. And with NaNoWriMo coming just around the corner, the very concept of writing is just daunting. What can help what ails us as writers? What can get the pen flying and the imagination well running?
Here are ten solutions that could solve the eternal writer's block query:
1. Jot down anything that comes to mind on paper, no matter how stupid it may sound!
If you're fresh out of ideas, (as it happens,) you can go to these hilarious sites that can make some interesting writing challenges to really test your imagination:
-http://www.writingexercises.co.uk/plotgenerator.ph...
-http://www.seventhsanctum.com/generate.php?Genname...
-http://futureisfiction.com/plotpoints/index.cgi
3. Create an inspiring video playlist on YouTube you can go back to!
While this may sound like a distraction, sometimes watching other people doing really cool things can very well inspire you to create something brilliant. Personally, I recommend watching speed art videos, where the artist does a very detailed piece of work, but the footage is very sped up. It's good stuff, fam.
4. Make a music playlist that helps you concentrate or fires you up!
And who doesn't love a good playlist? Instrumental music, such as the soundtrack from your favorite movie or video game, can help you focus and thus motivate you to write.
5. Find a group of friends to write with!
What's better than writing alone? Writing with friends! If you're with a group, you can quickly shoot off ideas and get first-hand input you don't have to wait on, along with potentially reading and getting motivated by the work of your squad.
6. Read some inspiring material!
Find some of your favorite books, articles, short stories, etc. and just really sit down and soak it in. What drew you to your favorite works? What do you find most attractive about the material? Keep it in mind as you write!
7. Read over your old work and give yourself a critique!
Nothing is more inspiring than seeing how far you've come as a writer. I still have some of my old writing from middle school, (Sonic the Hedgehog FanFiction, I'm a disgrace, I know,) and sometimes when I'm in a rut I go back to read (and laugh at) the stories I was so enthralled with. Sometimes, to go farther, you need to go back to where you started.
8. Draw your ideas out before you write them!
Artistic or not, sometimes it's a good idea to get your ideas on paper visually. For an example, if you're having a hard time describing a character and what they look like, it doesn't hurt to draw out what you're imagining! Doodling is really good for the soul.
9. Set a daily goal for how many words you write!
This is a really healthy challenge for you as a writer. Setting goals, like anything in life, can help inspire you to do what is deemed impossible. Starting off small at 100 words a day makes the general task of writing less daunting, building up over time into something huge.
10. Don't panic about writing!
The most important thing to remember when writing is that it is NOT worth stressing over. Writing is supposed to be fun! And yes, there will be days where you won't want to write, and that's okay. It's better than pressuring yourself into doing something you don't want to do. Easing yourself into writing leads to a better product, along with a happier author.
And there you have it! Ten possible solutions for the common writer's block. Happy creative ventures, writers! And remember, as Michael Crichton once said: "A writer writes, and then writes more, and keeps on writing!"
