Tactics You Need to Know to Tackle Writer's Block

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I don’t know what to write!
I don’t have anything interesting to say.
I don’t know why I even bother…no one will ever read it.
This is stupid…

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What to Do When You're Hit with a Creative Drought
​I’ve heard it from other writers and all the statements above have certainly spilled out of my mouth on more than one occasion and, will likely spill out again should I be faced with another creative drought. So, what’s one to do when the thought of facing a blank page is both unbearable and intimidating?

Show up. Sit your butt down in your chair and just write. It doesn’t have to be a critically acclaimed piece of work—it just has to be yours. Embrace the act of throwing some words down on that page and don’t worry where they came from or how they fit together. No pressure. No expectations.

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Tools to Kick Start Your Creativity
Yikes, I’ve shown up…now what?! For a little jump start, two of my favourite tools to help get those creative juices flowing are writing prompts and free writing. 

1. Writing Prompts ​
​If I’m really blocked, I quite appreciate not having to come up with an idea for a prompt, therefore I tend to utilize what’s already been developed; there are some fantastic writing prompt ideas online. Some of my favourites include:

• What is a book, movie, song, or television program that has influenced you, and how?
• Who would be the guest list at your dream party? What would the various guests talk about?
• If you could have dinner with ANYONE (alive or dead) who would it be? Why? What questions would you ask them?
• What magic power would you like to have? How would you use it? What would it feel like?
• Invent and describe a new food.
• Imagine yourself in a different century and describe an average day in your life.
• What would you do if you were able to communicate with animals? 
• If someone gave you $10 million dollars what would you do?
• If you had a magic carpet and no budget; where would you travel to and what would you do on your adventure?
• Write about turning points in your life – what would be different now if you had made a different choice?

 
May I suggest, having a selection of writing prompts on hand. Then they’re ready to go when you are. Please click here for some more ideas.

​2. Free Writing
I was introduced to the concept of free writing when I committed to Julia Cameron’s 12-week program the Artist’s Way. The premise of this program is to help unblock artists. It’s fantastic and I highly recommend it. One of the tools Cameron recommends is the morning pages/free writing. I found the process of free writing life changing.

Every morning before I launched into my day, I sat down with a cup of bean in hand, a journal that I had bought specifically for the Artist's Way and a purple pen. The task was to write 3 pages of whatever popped into my head. Now, there were many a day when I filled up an entire page (or three) with “I don’t know what to write," or I complied my ‘To Do’ list for the day or a grocery list. Many, many days. But that was OK, the goal was to 'just write.'

Kindly note, you can use your computer if you prefer. On some occasions I do, but I will confess I find the old-fashioned pen and paper liberating. Try both. Alternate. No rules. If you would like to purchase a copy of the Artist's Way please click here.
I cannot emphasis this next point enough, do not worry about the quality of your work when using with these tools. The idea is simply to get that writing muscle working. Much like going for a run, there are days when you feel like you can run forever and other days when you may wonder why you even bothered putting your runners on.
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I'll keep saying this until you believe me...there are no rules, the idea is to experiment and have some fun. Your writing muscle will strengthen. If you walk away from your desk tomorrow without an idea for a best-selling novel be kind to yourself—the most important thing was to show up and try; the quality and ideas WILL come. You will not remain blocked.

Happy Writing! 

How do you tackle writer's block?

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