Guest Post: How to Break Through Writer’s Block

Today’s guest post is a bit of a help to me personally, and hopefully will either motivate or inspire (or I guess possibly even prevent!) others who may occasionally find themselves in the same “the words won’t come!!” boat… 🙂

How to Break Through Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is the scourge of anyone that has ever penned anything longer than his or her own name. It locks us up and we draw a blank as we are left staring at a notepad or computer screen, feeling nearly helpless. Many times, writer’s block is a case of being over worked, but sometimes it can be alleviated by taking a step back. Other cases we just run out of words and we need a spark.

We will break down writer’s block into two categories: academic and creative. Many times, they cross over and the techniques apply to both, but they are very different from one another.

Here are a few ways to help you break through that wall and come out the other side writing again.

Academic Writer’s Block

Take a step back:
Perhaps you are working on an assignment for college and you cannot find the words to put on the page. Over analyzing can be as crippling as writer’s block itself. Prepare yourself for your task, do your research, and step away for a while. Your mind has a wonderful way of processing information on its own, especially when it has time to work in the background. Take regular breaks and do something that interests you for a bit. Whether it is a game of Sudoku or a crossword puzzle, letting your mind breath is always a good idea.

Prepare and avoid procrastination:
Many times when our minds become locked, it is because we have put off writing our assignment until the last moment. If you allow time to prepare and research, you will not be rushing and gasping for air at the 11th hour. Pressure is the number two reason for writer’s block, (we will cover the number one in a moment). Removing unneeded stress by procrastinating will open the mind and free up your fingers to get that assignment done.

Creative Writer’s Block

Find your spark:
Creative writing is a different beast than academic writing, and lack of inspiration is the number one reason for writer’s block I have found (Read: Top 5 Creative Writing Tips for some great ideas).You need a flash of brilliance or inspiration sometimes. Assuming you do not have a pressing deadline, pick up a book. The classics can be one of the best places for inspiration. Many of the themes covered by Twain or Hemmingway are universal, and their methods and techniques are common now. There is no better way to learn than from the masters of the craft. The point is to look at the way they did things and open up your mind to different approaches. Perhaps you will find a passage or character that is not fleshed out, or an idea to apply to your own work. Every time we read, we retain new words and techniques that can apply to our writing.

Stop and smell the roses:
Take a break from your computer or your notepad and look out the window for a moment. Whether it is the city of a country landscape, the natural world is a fantastic place for inspiration. Even the tall buildings and cathedrals found in many cities can give you a spark to get going again. Appreciate the lines and stained glass in that Catholic cathedral. What was going into the mind of the designer when she placed those gargoyles four stories high? What are the people thinking on the 30th floor of that skyscraper? What dark mysterious secret does that landscaper hold?

Listen to music:
Classical and folk music are another starting point for finding a spark. The imagery Bob Dylan induces can be very inspiring. Listen to a Nocturne composed by Chopin and just try not to be inspired. Music that is outside of our safe zone can be an enlightening experience as well. Often times we are caught in little ruts and do not realize it, and our minds stop expanding and exploring. Little sparks like new music get our minds shifting, moving, and adding new passages to our database of creativity.

Aubrey Phelps is a writer for ClassesandCareers.com, a site that offers information about online classes. Her hobbies include reading, writing and exploring the great outdoors.