Writers block: What you need to know
by Melissa R. Bickel
Writers block can literally make a writer feel frustrated and empty, especially when silence has lingered in the mind for some time. For whatever reason, thoughts won't form, all that was in the mind, vanishes. A writer begins questioning his or her own abilities as a writer, worrying they'll not be able to get over the hump.
It's as if the scene of Lady McBeth plays through the mind and instead of saying " out out damn spot" the writer is begging for the words or ideas to form. Ask any writer who's experienced this mental anguish and they'll tell you fear lingers in a silent mind.
It's certainly be a daunting task when a writer has an assignment with a deadline to meet. Writer's block can be, for some, a literary death sentence. To help a writer overcome writer's block a writer might need to allow his or her mind to rest. Worrying isn't going to help and could in fact add to what stress is being felt in that moment.
Trying a few writing exercises, opposite of what is normally done, could help. A simple changing of the normal routine could kick start the flow of thoughts. If these things don't work, try taking walks. There's nothing better than a walk to loosen up the mind as it takes in the scenery, the smells and sounds.
Sometimes the environment we walk in leads the mind to reconnect with emotions and feelings which moves a writer to write. Listen to the noises of nature, try to identify different trees and bugs along the way. Pick up a stone, carelessly skip it across a pond.
Let your mind give way to other avenues of life and enjoy being free of constraints. Of course all writers need to realize, as with everything in life, it isn't always going to be easy, or even the solution of that moment.
Set obtainable goals:
Be realistic! If there isn't a rush to fulfill a deadline, pace yourself. Quit trying to force your brain to produce what isn't there. Allow yourself time to collect thoughts and ideas. Be flexible enough to accept setbacks, things happen in life.
There might be other obligations within your daily life, so writing might not be a 24/7 possibility. So stop acting like it is. Think about when you'll write. If you were sporadic about writing, set a definite time for writing and stick with it.
If these suggestions don't work, be willing to explore other avenues. Take a mini vacation if you can, do something fun.
Change your daily routine:
That is, instead of setting down to write, find something else to do during the time you've normally allotted to write. Quit pushing yourself to fill your mind with useless clutter. Once the block passes then get back to your normal routine.
Look at photographs:
Stroll down memory lane through photographs. Try to remember the occasion a picture was taken. How did you feel? What was going on at the time.
Try a different genre of writing:
If you're a poet, try writing a few short stories, step outside your comfort zone and explore the process of gathering data to write a story. If you're a novelist, try writing poetry. Try to picture the emotion of capturing words in poetic form.
Use prompts to spark interest:
Turn to books on different subjects and take a line from within and create something from it. Look at posters or photos which have caught your eye and create words to fit that poster or photo. These exercises have often loosen the mind so the words start to flow.
As a writer your livelihood might rest upon your ability to capture the world through words, so remembering what it was that moved you to write is a good thing to reflect on. The ultimate goal, as a writer, is to develop an effective and finished product. So freeing the silent mind is the key.
Donald Graves says: "Voice is the imprint of ourselves in our writing. Take the voice away...and there's no writing...".
Finding your voice once again, by whatever means, will motivate you as the writer to be more effective at overcoming these mental blocks . Take the steps necessary to rekindle your passion, but don't force what isn't there.