If you’re looking for the right words: it happens. If you don’t know what to write at all: it happens. Don’t let writer’s block stop you from expressing yourself. As a college student and a freelance writer, the block is no stranger to me. Here are some simple tips that help me get through my writer’s block. Try them and see if they work for you.
1. Speed Write and See What Comes Out
Jot down everything you want to say according to your topic. Stop after you feel like you’ve laid down the basics of what you want to say. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling or punctuation, just write everything that you’re thinking. This technique is extremely effective for me because I often feel my ideas are stuck in my head and do not transfer well to paper. One of my English professors showed me this technique and I’ve used it ever since. It really helps me let down my inhibitions as a writer. I usually end up with a lot of quality content after using this technique. Going back to edit for spelling and grammar is the easy part.
2. Take an Energy Shot
My favorite energy drink Is 5-Hour Energy because it helps me focus. 5-Hour Energy has vitamin B-12, which is known to improve memory and concentration. What I also love about the drink is that it doesn’t give me any weird side effectives like jitters or headaches. If you have never used 5-Hour Energy before, I would recommend drinking half the bottle at first to see if your focus has improved. If you have any medical concerns, contact your doctor before trying one.
3. Watch a Video on The Same Topic
Watching the video and hearing what the author says about the topic helps me pull out different parts of the topic that I feel are the most important. Most videos, especially those found on the web, only a matter of minutes to get to the point in an engaging and interesting way. Notice the overall flow of the video, and use it loosely as a guide to addressing the topic of your written piece.
4. Research Using Social Media Hashtags
Use social media to search for hashtags related to your topic. With people’s original ideas and content, you’ll be able to understand your topic from an extremely relatable level. This will provide your writing with a unique perspective.
5. Sit in a Crowded Room
When I am writing, stimulation motivates me. Working in a casual “non-library” environment takes the pressure off me and subconsciously gives me the impression that I am writing for fun. Because there is so much going on around me, I am able to focus my energy on my work and hammer through it until it gets done.
6. Change Your Topic
Don’t be afraid to change your topic if you feel you won’t be able to do it justice. If you don’t find your topic interesting and you can’t change it, try to highlight the details that interest you the most.
7. Recycle Old Content
Examine a familiar topic with a different perspective. Look for new sources, change your tone, or write on the same topic with a different emphasis. You’ll be able to finish your writing faster if you are already comfortable with the topic. Whatever you do, don’t plagiarize yourself. Many organizations and educational institutions have strict rules against this.
8. Focus on Other Forms of Content
If you have the options and the know-how, you don’t necessarily have to write a novel to get your point across. What about a vlog, or a keynote presentation using a voice recording? Can you pull out your design skills and make an infographic instead? This will minimize that work you’ll have to do as far writing. It’ll make your presentation more interesting, too.
9. Sit up Straight
Sometimes you can’t concentrate because you’re physically uncomfortable. I know it’s temping to work in bed, reclining and typing at once, but I am a firm believer that our bodies work best when they are standing or sitting upright. If you are going to do your writing work in bed, make sure you a desk like this one, to put your body into “im at work” mode.
10. Experiment with Subheadings and Bullet Points
If you feel like your writing would be better represented in short, digestible bites, throw in some subheadings ( like how I’m writing this article). The web has truly changed the way people expect to read information. People reading on the web are like hunters and gatherers, scanning quickly through headings and jumping in and out of different sources. Writing with bullet points also helps you stay on task with specific topics you want to discuss.
11. Ditch the Laptop
I can’t begin to tell you how rewarding it is to write freely on a legal pad instead of using laptop. No distractions, no tabs. No annoying pop-ups. Just me and a pen. I feel like I am journaling, so my writing comes out sincerer and less robotic.
One or two of these techniques and are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Let go of your distractions and get started right away. Ready, set, write!
