The most defeating thing for a writer is having writer's block. I know this all too well, and with midterms around the corner, I am pretty much drowning in it. (Or is that procrastination? Oh well.)

In all honesty, writer's block is one of those things I wish would never be a thing. Why do I suddenly have no idea for this scene I was obsessed about two hours ago? Why can't this essay write itself? It's the reality I often come to. But there are ways to combat it, believe it or not! So trudge on ahead, fellow writers (or students looking to get that essay written) and try a few of these when your brain just isn't working.

1. Foster other creative methods.

I remember I was once told that if I was stuck, I should pull out a piece of scrap paper and just scribble. I would draw loop after loop on the paper, and the movement of pen on paper got my mind flowing. Scribbling may or may not help, but there are other creative things you can do. You can paint a picture, or sketch, or whatever creative things you like to do. Take a stab at it. (If my fellow procrastinators are reading this, please, don't do this for two hours while your essay is sitting unwritten on a blank Word document...Not cool.)

2. Free write

This one I think can be helpful for both writers and essay procrastinators alike. Take out some paper or open up a blank Word document. Prepare yourself to write. Do whatever routine you need to do in order to feel like a functional human being, and then, write. Just write. For essay writers, it may be good to know a little bit on the topic of your choice, but even so, write what comes to mind about it. Set yourself a time limit, maybe five to twenty minutes or so, and just write what flows. You may find pieces of good, usable writing in it. Somewhere....

3. Get rid of distractions!

I know, we live in a very technological age. Your cell phone is your writing pal. Facebook is your only friend. I got it. But they're not going to help you actually get something done. So get them out of the way! There are amazing tools that you can use that will help eliminate distractions for you. There are word processors you can get for FREE that will create a distraction free environment. "Write" is an in Chrome app that offers a full screen mode so that you can focus on the task at hand. Word has the option for a full screen mode, but it takes a lengthy procedure to go in and find it, so that may not be of some use to a lot of you. Google it!

4. Write early in the morning, or late at night.

I am one of those writers that ends up sounding much better on paper when I'm writing half-awake. It sounds strange, but the more tired you are, the more creative you become! I'm sure a lot of you are kept up because of lingering thoughts late at night, but don't let those thoughts just remain as pesky annoyances, write something down! Use insomnia as a time for some free writing. And if you're so inclined, and if you're awake at three or four in the morning, have your hand at some writing then too! You might find it productive...Or not! (If you're like me, then you love your sleep!) Which brings me to my last point:

5. Think about the "problem area" before bed.

("Problem area" being whatever your writer's block is keeping you from writing.)

I guess this is when I admit that I lie in bed and think about my story ideas. This isn't weird, I promise. A lot of the best ideas I've had for my writing has come in the form of dreams! Often times the things you think about the most before bed become the center point for your dreams. (Since we all know dreams are just the manifestation of the day's memories being transported into long- or short-term memory, right?) So if you're just unable to sleep, go ahead and write down your problem area in your writing, or just obsessively think about it like you're willing it into being.

These are just a few of the things that I think are helpful when it comes to writer's block (procrastination) and I hope that they help you too. I will be honest and say that I had no idea what to write for this article, and so I turned that into pure writing power. Some things work well for people, and others just have to find the right groove. Don't get too discouraged if you find that it may not help at first. You've just got to find what works for you, and sometimes that also means finding a "writing routine" to follow. Writing has to have the proper preparation. You can't sit down and say "I'm going to write!" It just doesn't work that way, for most people. (If you can do that, I envy you.) So just find what is the best method for you and go with it. (And stop procrastinating!!)

Good luck on midterms, everyone! <3