by Heidi Peaster

Created on: April 15, 2010

There is nothing so frustrating as writer’s block.  As writers, we have all had it and if you haven’t yet,  you will have. We feel like our brain is a car stuck in just one gear, and that gear is park.   Here are some ideas for rocking our brain enough to get it moving.

* Set it aside for awhile.  Don’t just sit looking at your computer….or legal pad if that’s your style….go away from it and put it on the back burner.  I know that’s a hard thing to do when you’ve got a deadline and money involved, but it may just work.

* Get some work done.   Not computer work, but work that uses your muscles and makes you break a sweat.  Housework is good, especially housework that involves some good, old-fashioned scrubbing.  Somehow, rhythmical, repetitive motions seem to free your mind up.  Let yourself get zoned out in mopping, sweeping, vacuuming.  Get your blood pumping and feel like you are at least accomplishing something.

* Get outside.  Find some of that repetitive work to do outdoors.  Raking leaves in the fresh air gives you that sense of accomplishment and gets your brain flushed out at the same time.

Gardening gets your hands in the dirt and, somehow that primitive feel makes our mind shift gear from the more educated exercise of wrestling with words.  Working with a hoe and shovel is even better.  Picking beans and digging potatoes make you realize that you have produced once, you can do it again.

* Go for a walk.  A good, fast, purposeful walk gets endorphins flowing.  Of course, you will still keep thinking about what you are trying to write about, but somehow, it won’t seem so life and death after awhile.

If you have a dog, walk him, too.  You will be doing something nice for somebody else and clearing your head at the same time.

* Go out with a friend.  Tell them about your dilemma, briefly, so they can commiserate with you.  They may even be able to give you an idea or two.  Then, move on to other things to talk about.

Go out with your friend and play a sport.  One on one basketball is a great way to force your mind away from the computer and onto something more basic.  Jog together, go horseback riding, skate; anything to get your blood moving.

* Go to church.  Socialize for a bit before you get into the service, then give it all up to God.  Tell Him you’re fed up with this whole writing thing and you can’t do it anyway and thanks, but no thanks for the gift.  Then, go home and read over what you have written already.

 All of a sudden, it just may be that it begins to flow again.

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