3 Lazy Tips to Overcome Content Writer’s Block

The term ‘writer’s block’ is used to describe a time where fiction writers were not able to write anything. Content writers face a similar challenge.

Some times, it’s about confidence and sometimes it’s stress. Self-doubt can also creep in. And often it’s just plain old procrastination.

After almost 6 years of such reflection, I have come to concoct three recipes that helped me tame this beast called Procrastination. These sophisticated techniques help you tame the writer’s block and the resulting anxiety by tweaking your writing process.

Writers’ Block Help — Tip #1: Slow it down — Writing isn’t a competition!

When you have articles assigned to you where the client expects a lot of quality, there’s a lot of pressure.

Producing high-quality work isn’t easy — especially if you are writing for something (or someone) for the first time.

This is exactly how Writer’s block ruins your writing process.

Rushing to ensure you get everything out on time may strengthen your block. The harder you are on yourself, the faster you will get pulled into the quicksand called the Writer’s Block!

It’s paradoxical.

Here’s how you tackle it:

Slow it down.

You are a human being, not a writing machine. That job goes to your laptop keyboard! (Click to tweet)

How can you slow it down?

Research and read without writing a word.

Take physical notes in a notebook/notepad. This will help slow down your unorganized thoughts.

Put those ideas swirling around in that messy brain of yours on paper.

Get a handle on that mess — much like the rough work you would do in your maths exam.

Here’s the key fact to remember:

These are just scribblings to help you organize your thought process. Some (or most) of these points may not even make it into your article. This process lets you satisfy your initial curiosity and provides some much-needed mental space to completely form ideas in your head first.

To effectively slow down without wasting your time:

• Understand why you are taking those notes.

Are you doing them just to slow down your racing thoughts?

Are you hoping to find inspiration for new ideas?

Or are you just winging it?

Any of these ways is fine — you just need to be sure of it.

• Do not get into writing mode too early in the process.
• Keep your fingers occupied by noting down your thoughts in your notebook (not typing on the keyboard).

Once you are confident about what you need to write and how — you can start writing on the screen.

Writers’ Block Help — Tip #2: Put your favorite quote in your (document) head

Does a particular quote inspire your creativity?

Do you feel your writing would be a lot smoother if someone was cheering you on, inspiring your thought process? (Click to Tweet)

Do you tend to lose focus easily while writing?

Another gorgeous writing technique that I have recently discovered to stay focused involves the header area of your document.

Here is how it goes:

• Put your favorite quote (or your reminder) in your document header.
• It travels with you on top of every page as you pound the soul out of that keyboard.
• It will renew your inspiration on every new (blank) page.

I once tried this technique at work. The quote I used was from a fictional character (nerd much?). When my boss began reviewing it, he also reviewed the quote.

To avoid such unhappy accidents:

Don’t forget to remove the quote/reminder from the header before you start editing the piece.

Writers’ Block Help — Tip #3: Put your procrastination to use

This method has been my personal favorite whenever I have felt stuck in a rut. This has always been THE technique I can blindly rely on when my desire to write was stronger than my motivation to write.

When I see a long-form blog starting with an ordinary opening, I get furious — Why in God’s name would you write 1500+ words when your intro can’t even grab readers’ attention?

How do you write an amazing intro that hooks your readers and reflects your personality at the same time? (Click to Tweet)

It’s not easy. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it — DUH!

If you want your readers to stay and read the post, you need an intro that truly hooks them; every writer worth their salt knows this.

Your intro’s secondary purpose includes reflecting your unique voice — You must find the right words to infuse it with some personality!

Otherwise, it’s no different from any other ordinary blog — it just doesn’t feel you any more!

Sometimes, a perfect introduction just flows naturally out of you.

Other times, there would be several revisions required to achieve that.

We will use the third option — Write your intro after writing the rest of the article!

You may be too distracted to write a strong intro while battling writer’s block.

If it’s such a common problem, what is the best way to deal with it?

Well, ignore it — for a while.

You will come back to the intro, you won’t forget it. You are just postponing it until you are in the mood for it!

Start writing the first subhead (i.e. the body of the article). Gradually, as you put your words on the screen, your mind begins to slow down.

Things start to become clearer. Your mood sobers up and you begin to make a sense of the subject matter.

Do this until you have a clear sense of what to include in your introduction and how to express it.

Before you know it, you would have attained your flow and pretty soon, 80% of your article would be done.

If you are a book writer (fiction or non-fiction), the introduction and body can be replaced with any other sections of your choice. Simply pick up the easier section first and start pounding them keys!

This idea may not always work for writing the perfect introduction.

But, it definitely works to sidestep the ambient anxiety and focus on the core part of the text.

It’s time to put a lock on the Writer’s Block

According to noted American writer Roy Blount Jr.,

“Writer’s block is simply the dread that you are going to write something horrible. But as a writer, I believe that if you sit down at the keys long enough, sooner or later, something will come out”

This is one of the most positive Writer’s Block quotes. This sends a message that writer’s block is not an unconquerable demon that everyone thinks of. It is a natural, albeit unwanted, consequence of being a creative professional.

I firmly believe that writer’s block is not a permanent problem. It’s a function of the stress in our daily lives. With a little adjustment and creativity, you can ensure the monster called “writer’s block” never makes it out of its cave.

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