Overcoming Writer's Block: Tips and Techniques
By: Xitlally Velasco
You’ve been staring at your word doc that has two sentences for the past half hour. You type a few more words but immediately delete them because they’re not good enough. You decide to get back to it later, but it’s no use.
Writer's block is a common experience that affects many writers at one point or another. Whether you are a professional writer or someone who writes as a hobby, you may have experienced the frustration of staring at a blank page, unable to put your thoughts into words.
What is Writer's Block?
Writer's block is a condition that affects writers where they experience a creative slowdown or a lack of inspiration, says The Mental Health Daily. Writer's block can be a frustrating experience, and it can occur at any stage of the writing process.
Causes of Writer's Block.
This psychological phenomenon can be caused by various factors such as anxiety, stress, perfectionism, self-doubt, or a lack of motivation, reports Writer’s.com. Some writers may be dealing with personal or emotional issues affecting their writing ability. Whatever the cause, it's essential to identify the most effective way to overcome writer's block.
“I overcome writer’s block by listening to music, exercising, or even taking a nap helps. You can achieve great work when you clear your mind.” Sara Meadows, 24, Omaha, Editor-in-Chief for The Gateway.
This graphic is great to refer to for additional tips on overcoming writer’s block.
Photo courtesty of Content at Scale
Overcoming Writer's Block:
Here are some tips and techniques to help you break through writer's block:
Take a break: Sometimes, stepping away from your writing can help clear your mind and get your creative juices flowing again. Engage in a different activity that you enjoy to clear your mind.
Change your writing environment: A change of scenery can help break the dullness. Try writing at a park or a coffee shop.
Write anything: Don't worry about writing something perfect or even good. Just start writing anything that comes to mind. The point is to keep your fingers moving and your ideas flowing.
Set small goals: The thought of writing an entire book or article can be overwhelming. Instead, break it down into smaller, achievable goals, such as writing 500 words daily or finishing a chapter weekly.
Use prompts or exercises: Sometimes, all you need is a little nudge to get started. There are many books and websites that offer writing prompts and exercises.
Xitlally Velasco is a University of Nebraska at Omaha journalism student with a concentration in public relations and advertising and a minor in Psychology. Velasco is the Digital Content Curator at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. Send your tips and story ideas to office@lozafina.com
