by NikoRad

Created on: November 20, 2009

There are few things more agonizing than writer's block. Whether you're a professional writer or a college student, expert or amateur - not knowing what to write is something most everyone has experienced at some point.

And the bad thing is, once it starts, it only seems to get worse!

But we're about to change that.

I would like to share with you several techniques to combat writer's block, and help unclog your creative pipelines.

Acknowledge any distractions that you are overlooking:

Writer's block sometimes brings the writer to a dead standstill, in terms of creative output. Nothing comes out on paper; you just sit there and have a stare-down with the paper (or computer screen).

The problem here is that as you continue to stare, you're thinking, "Great, I have absolutely no idea what to write..." You know what's bad about that? Your mind isn't dedicated to the project before you; you are preoccupied with the situation, and your train of thought has wandered away to the barren wastelands of frustration.

Just realizing this can be the key to getting back your creative groove.

And maybe it's not even the situation at hand - perhaps you have some stress in your life. Don't let it sit in the back of your mind, sucking up valuable brain power! Think about the problem with the spouse, or difficulties at work, and acknowledge that these thoughts have become distractions. You know what they say - the first step is acceptance.

Brainstorm...something absolutely unrelated:

The drain is clogged, no water is getting through. So? Use something else to remove the clog, and then the water will have free passage.

If I'm stuck on where to go next or how to start an article/paper/story, I'll write something else that is short and in my element, to get my creative juices flowing. For instance, I enjoy creating short scenes of fiction. Maybe for others, poetry or memoirs would work better.

So I'll step away from my project for about five minutes, and just write something random. This 'peripheral' writing should carry no pressure with it. This is a short side project that serves the sole purpose of getting those fingers flying.

After about five minutes, stop writing. Come back to the project you were working on and see if you have some better luck.

Stream of Conscience Brainstorming:

OK, this is a personal technique that I'll share with the hopes that it opens up a new possibility for kicking writer's block. This relates to the previous idea of brainstorming something unrelated.

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