Do you have those times when you want to write but something is blocking you? Don’t you just hate it? Sometimes I have all these ideas but can’t settle on any one thing or I want to write about something so badly but don’t know where to start.
Here are my 3 tips to combat writer’s block:
Make a list
If you have lots of ideas floating around write them all down just to free up some brain space. Once you’ve got them out there write bullet points against each topic so that when you come back to the list you know what you wanted to say. Sometimes you can come back to a list and have a whole new angle.
Read through your list and pick one topic that you feel you could write about right now without struggling. If you’re still blocked go on to the next tip.
Take a walk
Sometimes a stroll or brisk walk can get the creative juices flowing. When I’m blocked I’ll walk to the shop and get myself a bar of chocolate. In my mind, the walking cancels out the calories in the chocolate (don’t try and tell me differently) plus dark chocolate improves cognitive function as it increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart.
But this point isn’t about chocolate. Walking and other forms of exercise can help boost your creativity as it gives your mind space to wander. In case you do happen to be inspired whilst out walking you can carry your smartphone to record your thoughts. Maybe Siri is a better friend to you than it is to me.
Sit in the park
As with walking a change of scenery takes you away from the blank page. Sometimes I sit in the park with my pen and pad and doodle. Sometimes I just people watch. There’s nothing like people watching to generate some ideas. If you write fiction people watching can be great for creating new characters. Watching people interact, assigning personalities to them and making up your own conversations can be fun.
Of course, you don’t’ have to go to the park to people watch but the park does serve as a reminder to take time out and smell the flowers. Sometimes you could simply be blocked because you are putting too much pressure on yourself.
How do you combat writer’s block?
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