{"id":436172,"date":"2018-05-22T14:30:10","date_gmt":"2018-05-22T14:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essaypaper.org\/how-you-can-defeat-the-dreaded-writers-block-in-minutes\/"},"modified":"2018-10-24T08:58:54","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T08:58:54","slug":"how-you-can-defeat-the-dreaded-writers-block-in-minutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/how-you-can-defeat-the-dreaded-writers-block-in-minutes\/","title":{"rendered":"How You Can Defeat The Dreaded Writer's Block In Minutes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/span> 5<\/span>\/5<\/span><\/span> (1<\/span>) <\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"17<\/p>\n

I absolutely believe in being lazy, but I don\u2019t believe in writer\u2019s block<\/h2>\n

Before I started writing this blog post, I had a blank page. Well, a completely white WordPress editor\u00a0screen to be precise. But as you can see, it\u2019s not blank, totally white and devoid of words anymore.<\/p>\n

How did I start? I read.<\/p>\n

My day always begins with reading over breakfast. News, blogs, social media, emails and sometimes even a real newspaper.<\/p>\n

Yes, an old-fashioned one made of paper that doesn\u2019t need electricity\u00a0to read.<\/p>\n

This morning, between my coffee and tartine, I stumbled upon this quote on social media on my iPad, with my sticky marmalade tipped finger.<\/p>\n

\n

There\u2019s no such thing as writer\u2019s block. That was invented by people in California who couldn\u2019t write. ~Terry Pratchett<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Funny little quote, I thought. But then it set me to wondering about this whole writer\u2019s block thing.<\/p>\n

What is it? Do I suffer from it? When does it happen? Why does it happen? What do I do about it?<\/p>\n

Then I had a passing thought. I don\u2019t think I have ever written anything deep and meaningful about this dastardly subject before.<\/p>\n

Time to rectify that and hit my new writing project.<\/p>\n

What is Writer\u2019s Block?<\/h3>\n

I can\u2019t speak for all writers, but for me, it is almost always a symptom of episodes\u00a0of abject laziness.<\/p>\n

You know \u2013 the I can\u2019t really be bothered type of mood. I\u2019ll do it tomorrow. There\u2019s no rush anyway.<\/p>\n

It is rarely a result of a lack of ideas or creative problems. It\u2019s just having an empty head that doesn\u2019t want to go to work.<\/p>\n

Do I suffer from it?<\/h3>\n

Possibly and no. Mostly, no.<\/p>\n

When does it happen?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s unusual for me not to want to write. But there are obviously times when it becomes difficult.<\/p>\n

Perhaps if I am feeling a bit off colour or worse, suffering from the flu or a cold or if I am in a seriously grumpy mood. Yes, that can happen, even to someone who is as jovial as me, most days.<\/p>\n

It often strikes after dinner, however. Well, after the red wine and cheese, and then more wine to be precise.<\/p>\n

Why does it happen?<\/h3>\n

For me, it happens because I get lazy and find reasons\u00a0or excuses to do something else other than to start writing.<\/p>\n

For someone else, it might be that being a perfectionist\u00a0causes creative problems, or that even fear can result in being creatively blocked.<\/p>\n

It could also be caused by the time not being right. You desperately\u00a0want to write another chapter, but it\u2019s eleven-thirty at night.<\/p>\n

The in-laws have just left after an overly long boring dinner. The kids are finally in bed. It\u2019s all quiet\u00a0at long last. But you usually write in the early evening.<\/p>\n

That situation can be called writer\u2019s block. But really, it\u2019s clearly not your writing time, and you are too tired.<\/p>\n

What do I do about it?<\/h3>\n

\"defeat<\/p>\n

Here comes the serious advice section of this article.<\/p>\n

How to overcome writer s block, which I don\u2019t believe in, in an impressive 17 point bullet list.<\/strong><\/p>\n

General tips.<\/h3>\n

1.<\/strong><\/span> The number one cure has been stated hundreds of time. Go outside and take a long walk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are fortunate enough to have a dog, this is an easy rule because\u00a0you have to do it at least once a day anyway.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong><\/span> A rumbling stomach is a distraction. Eat well and have a balanced diet.<\/strong> If you feel hungry, stop writing and take a short munchie break.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong><\/span> Go for a run or a swim. Don\u2019t be a couch potato. Keeping fit and healthy is vital to the writing process.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> <\/span>Have a writing schedule and stick to it. Add your daily writing time to your agenda.<\/strong> It doesn\u2019t have to be all day. One or two hours is enough.<\/p>\n

But of course, you can go overtime if you get your\u00a0creative juices flowing.<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> <\/span>Find your quiet place. It\u2019s not easy unless you are a hermit. Do a deal with your family and reserve your quiet place and time to write.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6.<\/strong> <\/span>Turn off the distractions. For many writers, a computer is your writing machine, but it does so many other things. Turn off the wifi, close all the browsers and write. <\/strong>Concentrate on your creative flow and not on a flow of Facebook messages.<\/p>\n

7.<\/strong><\/span> One bad habit that many writers suffer from is writing in their head.<\/p>\n

The ideas, words, sentences and paragraphs flow so easily when you are resting, about to go to sleep or bored to death in a doctor\u2019s waiting room. And then it is all forgotten.<\/p>\n

Never write in your head. Write it down.<\/strong> Use your phone, a notebook or write on your palm or arm.<\/p>\n

Specific tips<\/h3>\n

8.<\/strong><\/span> The\u00a0writing process always starts with one small idea. This applies to fiction writing as well as content and article writing. Keep a written list of all your little ideas and thoughts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is a valuable resource to refer back to when you run into small writing blocks. I once wrote a novel from a thought that had been on my ideas list for over two years.<\/p>\n

9.<\/strong><\/span> For content writers who are often on a strict schedule, the need to write something is pressing. The writing part is not usually a problem, but finding what to write about can be. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Internet is a great resource, but even better is an SEO suite like Semrush where it is possible to spy on competitors and research keywords that have the potential to rank.<\/p>\n

10.<\/strong><\/span> If you think you have suffered from writer\u2019s block when you are writing a novel, there is an easy solution. Ask yourself this question. What would my character absolutely hate to happen right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

11.<\/strong> <\/span>Another easy thought tool when writing fiction is to open something. Open a door or open a drawer. Or make something explode!<\/strong><\/p>\n

12.<\/strong><\/span> Never, never, never turn on the television<\/strong> while you are writing.<\/p>\n

13.<\/strong> <\/span>If you wait for the Muse to come calling, you could be in for a long wait. Waiting for the Muse is not highly productive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Did you know that the
\n word derives from\u00a0Middle English and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from Old French <\/span>muser<\/em> which roughly means to\u00a0<\/span>meditate or waste time? <\/span><\/p>\n

Or that the nine Muses were all goddesses and the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne? <\/span><\/p>\n

I wrote a book about Cleito, but I don\u2019t think she rated as a muse for me because I wrote the book quite quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

14.<\/strong> <\/span>If you are stuck for words, read. Reading gives you ideas to write about.<\/strong> Almost every subject I have ever written about germinated from reading.<\/p>\n

15.<\/strong> <\/span>Do you write about people?<\/p>\n

To get new ideas to write about how people behave, react, look or interact then go and do some research.<\/p>\n

Sit at a bus stop or train station for an hour.<\/strong> Don\u2019t forget to take notes. Perhaps not photos though.<\/p>\n

16.<\/strong> <\/span>Pack up your laptop or arm yourself with your iPad and go. Write somewhere different from time to time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try a cafe, a park or even your garden or balcony.<\/p>\n

17.<\/strong><\/span> Don\u2019t believe in writer\u2019s block. It was invented by people who couldn\u2019t write. Sit down and write because you are a writer.<\/strong> That\u2019s what writers do.<\/p>\n

You would never hear a dentist say, \u201coh I just can\u2019t get into the mood to extract teeth today.\u201d<\/p>\n

My wrap up on writer\u2019s block.<\/h3>\n

I don\u2019t believe in it at all.<\/p>\n

Well, except for when I have to write my author bio or a new book description. Then I become a reborn true believer in writer\u2019s block once again and all the advice above is useless.<\/p>\n

Apart from that though, there are times when a writer sits down to write, and the words don\u2019t flow. But there is never a total blockage that stops letters appearing on a page.<\/p>\n

Like in any profession or occupation, some days are better than others. The key for a writer is to take advantage of the better days and to find ways to still be productive on the not so good days.<\/p>\n

For me, the key factor is to simply do something. Activity beats idleness, and determination defeats procrastination.<\/p>\n

But yes, there are those lazy days occasionally when you just can\u2019t be bothered. That\u2019s okay. Enjoy them when you can, and then, get back to writing with renewed enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

Footnote:<\/strong> Why did I choose to write a 17 point list? <\/em><\/p>\n

I like odd numbers and especially seventeen because no one ever uses it. I had more ideas to write about, but I wasn\u2019t so keen on 18, 19 and 20 ideas so I saved them for another time.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

How helpful was this article for you?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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5\/5 (1) I absolutely believe in being lazy, but I don\u2019t believe in writer\u2019s block Before I started writing this blog post, I had a blank page. Well, a completely white WordPress editor\u00a0screen to be precise. But as you can Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,15,142,46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-436172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogging","category-essay-paper-writing","category-self-publishing","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=436172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436172\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=436172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=436172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=436172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}