Seven steps to Beat Writer’s Block
There are many ways to overcome the infamous “writer’s block”. These are just a few of the many ways to overcome writer’s block. Choose what you can use and go with it.
1. Eliminate Distractions
You can’t be creative if you’re not able to focus. Assess your environment. What is stopping you from completing the task? Is your desk cluttered? Is your phone ringing non-stop? Are you unable to make progress because of a failing technology?
Organize your workspace. Bins, labels, and folders are great ways to organize your stuff so that you can find it easily later. Consider decorating your space with pictures and knickknacks. This will motivate you.
Put your phone on airplane mode, do not disturb mode, or mute it. It can be tempting to ignore the endless stream of notifications, but distractions are not what you want when you start writing.
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2. Create an Outline
Blank pages are intimidating. Note down any notes you don’t wish to forget. Then, organize them into a logical structure. This can be done in many ways. If none of these work, you might need to do some more research.
Brain Dumpis basically a stream of consciousness written down. Write down all the thoughts that come to your mind and then reduce them. Set a timer to ensure you stay on track.
Concept Mappingis an alternative way to outline. This is the same as what you learned in elementary school. Put the main idea at the center and branch off from it.
Flow Charts are perfect for explaining a complex process. Use arrows for the order of events or steps. List bullet points under each topic to provide more information.
3. You can read other people’s work
What are people talking about? What is the topic of conversation? What is the topic of discussion? What is the problem that has not yet been addressed or solved? You can find inspiration by reading other people’s writing.
Be aware that reading someone else’s work in no way excuses plagiarism. It’s possible that you’ll see an idea from someone else and use it as a basis for your own writing. In this case, it’s vital to always credit your sources.
4. Use Prompts
If you’re still having trouble with your writing, you might want to try some prompts. Even if they’re not original, you can use them as a starting point to help you come up with your own.
5. Enjoy a new scene
Avoid working in the same place where you relax or play. Relocate to a coffee shop or nearby library if your home or workplace is too distracting or boring. You can get some fresh air by writing outdoors, or near an open window.
But beware of distractions. Others need quiet to concentrate, while others require background noise. As you look for the perfect place to write, keep this in mind. Also, you don’t want your friends to be there. As much as you may love them they will kill your productivity.
After you’ve settled in and have all you need, take a moment to observe your surroundings. Note down everything you see. People-watching can be a great source of inspiration for your next work.
6. Remember to take breaks
Some people are better performers under pressure. You can become overwhelmed if you are under too much stress. Don’t ignore your physical needs like food, water and bathroom breaks.
Take a 5-15 minute break about every hour. You can then reward yourself by taking a longer 30-minute break every two to four hour, depending on your task.
7. Save the editing for later
Fear of imperfections is one of the greatest obstacles to writing. Accept that writing is an ongoing process to overcome this. A first draft will never be perfect. You should get everything down and then polish it later.
You might think that editing each sentence immediately after writing it would be beneficial in the end, but it will actually increase your production time. If you read behind yourself, you might forget the word on your tongue.
Asking a family member or friend to review your work can help if you are still concerned about its cleanliness. You might miss something after looking at it so long.
Keep track of your growth
Writer’s blocks shouldn’t be part of your writing process. Writing will become easier as you practice it.
Keep a running journal of ideas that you’d like to save and revisit later. Don’t forget to save all your work so you can look back at it. You never know what ideas you might want to revisit.
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