I don't really use the word 'writer's block.' I think of it more as rest that my brain needs so it can return fresh and renewed.
If you've ever played Wordscapes, you know what I mean. You might be stuck figuring out a word in the game, but as soon as you leave it for a few minutes and come back, you know exactly what the word is.
That, to me, is writer's block. Getting too much in your head about something. But give yourself a break, and you can get right back to it.
Here are four steps you can use to get yourself back to writing.
Move Your Body. Even if it's just a quick walk around the block. Fresh air will do you good, and being in nature helps you feel better.
Silence Your Inner Critic. This might take some practice. Okay, lots of practice. But once you've figured out how to keep the critic in your head quiet, you won't be so judgemental of what you put on the page, and it'll free up your expression. Instead of telling yourself, "my writing sucks," say, "this is a draft version I will polish later" instead. Don't let your critic steal your creativity.
Try a Prompt. A quick search, and you'll find thousands of writing prompts. Pick one far from what you're currently writing, and let yourself be free to write!
Write with Pen & Paper. There's something about putting pen to paper that triggers a different part of your brain. Or maybe that's just me. But when I'm stuck, I always go to a pen and journal. I'll make bullet notes about where I feel stuck or just write out something in my real life that's on my mind. Try it! You might surprise yourself.
Keep Track of Ideas. I learned from a Masterclass by Neil Gaimen about the 'compost heap.' This is a term used to refer to where he writes every exciting thought, a piece of dialogue he hears while in a restaurant, or anything that may trigger his writing in the future. For me, it's the Notes on my phone. My compost heap is packed with ideas. I have titles, dashed notes, thoughts about a character, etc. It's the place my ideas sit in a 'compost' until they make the soil perfect for my next piece of writing to grow.
Kommentare