Remedies for the Common Writer's BlockI've split of the remedies for the common writer's block into two categories: those that cost money and those that don't. Thankfully, the list for those that cost money is quite small.
Remedies that cost money 
1) The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination by Jason Rekulak - This remedy is literally a block full of writing block techniques to . . . well, "jump start-your imagination". In it you'll find: writing challenges, spark words and writing topics. All of which are designed to get you writing on anything in hopes you will begin to write something. Just randomly pick a spot in the block and begin writing based on the technique. Either a challenge to overcome, a word to spark an idea or a topic to write about.
2) The Writer's Toolbox: Creative Games and Exercises for Inspiring the 'Write' Side of Your Brain by Jamie Cat Callan - This remedy is a box full of writing tools to help get you into the writing mood. In it you'll find tools for: the first sentence, transitions, story arcs, and protagonist ideas. Follow the instruction book and by the time your down, you'll be well on your way to breaking that writer's block fever.
Remedies that don't cost money
In a world where gas prices fluctuate too often, thank god for remedies that are free. 1) Free write: One of the first thing you learn in writing 101 is free writing. Put your pen down on the paper and write non-stop for 5 minutes never picking it up. Even if all you write is "I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write." Sooner or later, something will come out. 2) Write in a journal: I find that writing in a journal everyday can help get the creative juices flowing because at the end of the day, you're writing. And that's what matters most. 3) Writing Prompts from Writer's Digest: The Writer's Digest website provides you with a list of writing prompts, scenarios you can start from to relieve the sinus pressure of your creativity. 4) Creative Writing Prompts.com: Another wonderful website full of writing prompts to help you out. Just click on any of the 346 numbers to see the writing prompt within. I find that this site works best if you don't pick and choose. Just click a number and write away. |
Eight Way to Take Action, from the Daily Muse Writer’s Diary 2012 by Workman1. Stick a stuck project in a pigeonhole for however long feels right. Try writing something else. Try doing something else. Come back and test the waters periodically, but don’t force the issue. When the time is right, the writing should come easier.
2. See what happens when your characters go down the Mississippi. If you’re really stuck, you may be traveling down the wrong river. Try a change of scene. Come back to what you know best. 3. Create a schedule. Show up at your desk, over and over, and see what happens. 4. Type really quickly. This practice has the advantage of letting you sneak past your internal censor. You don’t have time to say “It’s going to be terrible.” 5. Unplug the router. Log out of your browser. If you need to use the Internet for research of to look up words, use a fresh bookmark-free browser for writing. 6. Start in the middle. Write the fun part first and save the hard parts for later. Don’t get hung up on the order of things. 7. Carry around a notebook. Why risk losing the chance of transcribing all of the world’s bounty. 8. Get silly. Take a trip to the Dollar Store. Buy supplies: a silly writing mascot, candy, a word search game, and a special pen. Quotes on Writer's Block"Most of the time when we are blocked in an area of our life, it is because we feel safer that way." - Julia Cameron
“The problem is acceptance, which is something we're taught not to do. We're taught to improve uncomfortable situations, to change things, alleviate unpleasant feelings. But if you accept the reality that you have been given- that you are not in a productive creative period- you free yourself to begin filling up again.” - Anne Lamott “You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block.” - John Rogers “If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem. But don’t make telephone calls or go to a party; if you do, other people’s words will pour in where your lost words should be. Open a gap for them, create a space. Be patient.” - Hilary Mantel |
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