5 Ultimate Tips for Overcoming Your Writer’s Block
Everything has been said, and we have come too late, now that men have been living and thinking for seven thousand years and more.
Jean de la Bruyere
The very mention of the dreaded writer’s block is enough to send shivers down many a man’s spine, especially when said man is desperate to write something ASAP. We’ve all been there at some point — no matter if one is a professional author who aspires to make a living from producing copious amounts of word magic, a PhD student pouring over his thesis on nights without end, or an “enthusiastic job seeker” looking to write a semi-decent cover letter. You end up sitting and sweating, staring at that stubbornly white blank piece of (digital) paper, imploring all the deities you can think of to give you something, anything really, just to get you going for starters.
This can be particularly exasperating when you aim to earn a buck or two from your writing. So, when all else fails and the muses remain deaf and mute to your trials and tribulations, then what? Then you take a nice, long, deep breath, make a cup of coffee, and quickly skim through these tips and tricks to help you make those words and letters yield to your bidding.
1. Minimize doubts in your own originality and relevance
Sometimes it seems that everything worth writing and speaking of has already been said, and maybe even more aptly put than we could ever dream of achieving. That little nagging voice in the back of your head keeps gnawing at you, telling you that your opinions don’t matter, your thoughts are irrelevant. After all you are but an insignificant little human being, the same as many who have walked this earth and who are yet to come.
However, being authentic isn’t really that hard to manage because — epic news flash incoming — we are all unique in our own way. Each and every single one of us thinks, understands and conceives new ideas differently. Some are more creative than others, without a doubt, but simply believing you can do it can help you actually create magic.
Think of all of your relevant experiences, your deepest fears — and how you’ve managed to overcome them — your thoughts on subjects others find interesting as well… In a word, try to get a good grasp of everything that makes you you. There is no one else in the world that has the very same set of experiences and the exact same way of feeling and thinking as you.
And that in itself should be a pretty decent starting point to help you get those creative juices flowing without agitation and restraint.
2. Research, research, research
More often than not, coming up with the subject you want to write about proves to be the biggest bump on the way to literary success. You pick up your pen or tap impatiently on your keyboard waiting for an epiphany that seldom comes when you need it most.
A simple way of overcoming this is taking several questions into consideration. Firstly, think about what your interests and your passions are, what you know the most about, what you feel most comfortable elaborating on. Perhaps it could be something that you’ve always wanted to learn more about, a new skill or a philosophical concept or a work of art. Conducting thorough research and then sharing your findings with others might prove to be a fun new experience for you that results in an excellent piece of literary work as well.
Secondly, what you should definitely keep in mind though, is finding that golden middle between your quirks and interests and things that at least a certain number of people find compelling to read about. Mind you that you don’t really need to aim for an auditorium of several million. That isn’t bad in itself of course, but if you’re a newbie, it might be a better idea to find a slightly smaller niche — something that a considerate, but not too big a number of people, is interested in/fond of/eager to learn more about.
Get hands on with your research — dig through the web, your books and at last but not least, yourself. That way you’ll surely find that extra special thing you were actually always dying to tell the world but have only just now come to realize it.
3. Mens sana in corpore sano
Yes, you’ve got it right — it’s exercise! There are countless studies on just how beneficial exercise is not only for the body but for the mind as well. Different types of exercise, ranging from good ol’ brisk walks, to swimming, running, and even dancing, have all proven to be potent triggers of neurogenesis, that is, the birth of new neurons and brain synopses. All those endorphins your body secretes while exercising also help with your focus and concentration. Not to mention they tend to make you feel overall good, energized, and ready to tackle anything head-on.
The best part? You don’t need to work out for hours without end, nor strain yourself to the point of feeling your soul slowly leaving your body (unless you are a masochist who happens to enjoy it like yours truly). Just getting up and away from the couch is an excellent start.
After that first step’s been taken, try and find some activities you actually find more or less enjoyable to get you moving about and you’ll quickly find your mind to be as sharp and keen as ever.
4. Consistency
Even when you feel like there’s absolutely not a word left in you, that your “honeyed mouth became venomous” as one ancient author who struggled with her own writer’s block lamented some 4000 years ago, you should still do the one seemingly counterintuitive thing — write.
Yes, get your butt firmly planted in that chair of yours, and muster up something. It doesn’t even have to be that good, don’t despair if everything seems like a complete mess with no worth whatsoever.
Putting some of your silliest musings on paper on a particularly lackluster day when it comes to inspiration can prove quite helpful actually. You might find that some of those seemingly insipid scribbles can turn out to be a germ of an idea that can grow into something awesome.
All in all, making a habit out of writing is sure to aid you in getting pen to paper more easily in time, even on a bad day.
5. At last but not least, the greatest tip of them all…
Are you ready for this one? Okaaay, here comes…
*Insert drum rolls*
Loosen up a bit! That’s right, you’ve read it well. A tad anticlimactic, isn’t it? Here you were, expecting a huge piece of wisdom and this is what you’ve got in its stead? Really?
But seriously, that is literally the best thing you can do when you feel utterly wound up and tense to the point of breaking at any second. That kind of stress will lead you nowhere, except on a sure path to burn out city, and that is one place you do not want to end up in. Believe me, I speak from ample experience.
What you need to do is clear the clutter out of your mind, turn the overthinking switch off and take a step away from it all. Go for a walk, play with your dog, cuddle up with a loved one, go out for a cup of coffee and some gossip with a friend, read a book, meditate… In a word, do anything that makes you happy and helps you relax. You need it baby, because an overburdened mind simply cannot work well, especially when you dabble in the more creative spheres.
Try some of these tips and tricks for yourself, see what works for you and what doesn’t, and feel free to comment on what helps you the most when you find yourself in a nasty little conundrum when it comes to wordplay.
Write away!
Found something you liked? If so, be sure to check out some of my other stories.
https://betterhumans.pub/new-years-resolutions-to-turn-2022-into-the-best-year-so-far-9ed0ffd3fd0b
