Writer’s block. It always seems to come about during the times where you really don’t want it to. Normally, a million ideas run through your head of what you want to write or talk about for a class, blog or article. But when you finally get the moment to sit down and write, your mind draws a complete blank, as if every thought you had goes dripping down the drain. Panic may ensue and you officially hit the wall called writer’s block.
Let’s be honest, it totally sucks.
As a writer, that block is the biggest struggle you could ever have. How does one write when you have absolutely no clue what to write? How can you get your mind moving again?
Here are three tips to get the mind going and spark inspiration.
1. Read something.
Need inspiration for a certain topic? Do a quick web search and see if someone else has written on that topic and read it. Reading over their work may help you make sense of what the topic is about and inspire you to take your writing a step further. Another option is to read something else completely unrelated to get your mind off of everything so you can start fresh and go back to your work. Do what is best for you.
2. Take a break.
Word for the wise, just staring blankly at your computer screen or a piece of paper is not going to help you. I know for me, it actually makes matters worse. So, take a five or ten minute break. Close the computer, take a walk, get a snack and relax for a little while. Let your mind start to wander and think about something other than this blog or paper you have to write. After the break, go open up the computer and write.
3. Write whatever comes to mind.
When all else fails, grab a piece of paper and just start writing random words, draw a picture, just put the pen to paper. Sometimes, just mindless writing of words or phrases can get your mind going. Write out lyrics to songs, television shows or a conversation you remember. Just keep writing for a few minutes and see what happens. It could get you going and prepare you for your actual writing project.
I want to let you in on a little secret. I too have had writer’s block, which actually inspired me to write this post. When all else fails, just write whatever comes to mind. Maya Angelou once said, “What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks, ‘The cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat.’ And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, ‘OK. OK. I’ll come.’”
