by B. B. James

Created on: October 27, 2009   Last Updated: May 09, 2011

Writer's block: the curse that afflicts all of us at one time or another.  It's simply a fact of life for anyone who tries to put his or her ideas into words.  The causes of writer's block can be anything from personal distractions to lack of inspiration to difficult passages in whatever is being written.

Here are six ideas to rejuvenate your writing creativity, if you're stuck:

1.  Write something else.  Often, the block is related to the specific thing that's being written.  Maybe it's a difficult scene in a play or a hard-to-describe physical location.  Maybe it's the crucial plot development in a story, and the author has not yet figured out which way he or she wants it to go.  When facing these types of problems, many authors have found relief by turning to another writing project for a while. The other project gives them a sense of progress on something, and it allows the ideas for the first project to solidify in their subconscious minds for a while.  Then, the author can return to the first project with a sense of accomplishment and, perhaps, new inspiration.

2.  Read great stuff.  All writers are inspired by great writers, writers whose work leaves us awed.  When you're stuck with your own work, go back to the writing that inspired you.  You love to read - that's why you became a writer. 

3.  Go outside.  Writing requires deep concentration and focus.  But too much concentration can kill inspiration.  One of the most tried-and-true solutions is to step away from the work and do something else.  Go for a walk in the woods.  Kick a soccer ball with your kids.  Do laundry.  Get out and talk with someone.  Whatever it is, get out of your rut. 

4.  Spill the words onto the page or computer screen.  Sometimes, the good ideas are in you, but you're hesitating because you are seeking the "perfect" phrase.  It might be better to get all your ideas on paper or on screen, and then go back to them in a couple of days to improve it.  Just go stream-of-consciousness; it's fun and helpful.

5.  Enjoy other forms of art.  Many writer's block problems come in descriptive areas.  It's very hard to use words to describe things, and it's even harder to use words to describe tastes or sounds.  So, look at the problem from another angle by looking at another form of art (photography, painting, music).  And if you have other artistic skills, take a break from your writing, and try them instead.  

In conclusion, writer's block is frustrating.  But it doesn't have to be debilitating.  By using these techniques, as well as others, you can get your writing back on track. Good luck.

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