Overcoming Writers Block
Do you suffer from writer's block? Is there a pending project you are putting off because you lack the inspiration to even get it started? You certainly are not alone. At various times you will go through extended periods of energetic writing as well as lengthy dry spells. Here are some tips you may want to consider to help you keep those slow times to a minimum.
Idea Mining If you do not have a specific topic in mind, start brainstorming to come up with a variety of topics. I get plenty of my ideas when I take a thirty minute brisk walk through my neighborhood. Watching rabbits eating clover, observing colorful roses, and listening to the sweet conversation of cardinals puts me at ease. When I am relaxed, I can think much more clearly. It sure beats sitting in front of my computer fretting about my work! Find something that brings out the inspiration in you.
Get Interested Writing on a topic that interests you is much easier to do than when you must write about a topic that you either: a) do not find interesting, or b) you are not particularly knowledgeable about. You can raise your interest by researching the topic. Read other online articles, go to the library and read a chapter or two in a related book, or contact someone familiar with the subject at hand [an enthusiatic expert is best]. After a certain amount of research your curiosity should be piqued which will help fuel your interest in the topic.
Make an Outline Write a topic sentence and then "bullet" three or four key points that you want to make. Expand each point into one paragraph each; collectively these points will comprise the body of your article. A brief conclusion [summation] tying all the points together at the end of the article will bring things "to a wrap."
Sit on it No, I am not being obscene. Rather, once you have written your article put it aside for a day or two and then come back to it. A fresh perspective has a way in helping you craft a better article. More than likely you will catch grammatical errors, locate incomplete or unclear thoughts, or find errors in punctuation by stepping back for a period of time.
You can overcome writer's block by following the above steps. If you find yourself hindered by the "paralysis of analysis" when it comes to selecting a winning topic, then you must step away, regroup, and come back only when sufficiently inspired. Writing with clear purpose and enthusiasm will happen once you put your writer's block beyond you.
(c)2005; Matthew C. Keegan, LLC
Matt Keegan is The Article Writer, writing for web content, ezines, magazines, newsletters, and more. To preview some of his work, please visit his website: http://thearticlewriter.com
MORE RESOURCES:
 ABC News | HitFix Interview: Bruce McKenna discusses the writing of 'The Pacific' HitFix (blog) The man behind most of the writing on the 10-hour miniseries, though, is Bruce McKenna, whose name is on eight of the 10 scripts and who served as ... 'The Pacific's' Tom Hanks: The right wing's new boogeyman The Pacific |
Sarah Palin Defends Writing Notes on Her Hand: Bible Says It's OK NewsBlaze Read More Writing crib notes on your palm is something dull elementary school students sometimes resort to, to pass a difficult exam. ... |
 New York Times | Keeping It All in Writing New York Times MY father owned several furniture stores, including one in Hollidaysburg, Pa., our hometown. He worked seven days a week, but my two brothers and sister and ... |
 KSFY | Mother Complains of Teacher Writing “Loser” On Student's Notebook Thaindian.com Others said that a teacher should find ways to praise a student rather than writing discouraging comments in the notebook. The school authority on its part ... NC teacher in trouble for writing 'loser' on student's assignment N.C. teacher writes 'loser' on assignments |
Times editorial writer awarded Walker Stone Award Los Angeles Times You are writing on behalf of the paper. It's gratifying to be recognized for that, but it's humbling to be writing on behalf of the entire editorial board, ... |
Elmore Leonard's Writing Tips Washington Post (blog) Love these writing tips from Elmore Leonard and a bunch of other scribblers. Some favorites: Elmore Leonard: 'Never use a verb other than "said" to carry ... Elmore Leonard's Writing Tips |
To/Die/For Finishes Writing New Full-Length Album Metal Underground "Hey you Immortals. All songs for the To/Die/For's 6th album are composed. Songs are only waiting to be recorded. There is also gonna be a couple of songs ... |
 Sydney Morning Herald | The writing on the kitchen wall Sydney Morning Herald This pedestrian ability of confusing typing with writing, the weight of words with words of weight is why Greer would never herself descend into the mosh ... |
Enter monstrously scary zone at sci-fi/fantasy writing event Arizona Daily Star Well, then you're made of tough enough stuff to hit the presentation on vampires, zombies, monsters and sci-fi/fantasy writing at the Tucson Festival of ... |
ROPING, RIDING AND WRITING - EDUCATION A KEY COMPONENT AT RODEO The Cypress Times Capital One Bank is once again teaming up with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to support one of its four pillars – education. ... |
Every Result is an Asset
Not long ago, I went to an Internet Marketing Seminar. One of the speakers was John Reese, a man who set the Internet world abuzz in August 2004 by achieving the amazing result of just over a million dollars worth of sales in 18 hours.
Mixing and Mingling: The Door to Publication?
Mixing and mingling with industry professionals is an opportunity that you should NEVER let slip by. Here are some tips from my own experience to help you make the most of your conference:1.
Five Keys To A Successful Query Letter
Do you know what a query letter is? If so, you are of a rare breed-a writer. Most people don't.
Screenwriting, Screenplays, Screenwriters - Incremental Productivity
When attempting to understand Creativity and Innovation, it pays to import the vast range of research and knowledge that has been accumulated in these fields - most of it is to be found in the field of Business and Management.For example, Writer's Block is intimately related to Organizational Culture - the same principles that prevent people from generating ideas in the corporate workplace are also responsible for Writer's Block - evaluation apprehension in its many forms.
Writers can Grow to be Comfortable with Criticism
On my first newspaper assignment as a critic, I was well prepared to dish it out. I was less prepared to take it.
How To Cut the Clutter and Win Readers
Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs amongst us would agree that we love having a clean, organised house.
How You Can Take Advantage of the Increasing Demand for Freelance Online Writers
The freelance writing market is a growing market to be in. There are many jobs available, but sometimes, it can be hard to find the work that you want, and available at the time you want it to be.
Does Each Element of Your Story Further The Theme?
Creative Writing Tips -Whichever theme you choose, all the elements, which make up your story, dialogue, conflict, scenes, etc should be written with the theme in mind.Your theme should progress the story.
Arouse Your Short Story And See It Published
Are you ready to abandon your short stories? Before you toss your newest story in the trash, revisit it using many of the same guidelines editors keep in mind when they review your work. If you follow these guidelines, you will be many steps closer to placing your short story in a well-known literary journal.
Writing Help
Whether you are working for a small business, large corporation, or are a student, there are numerous sources that you can turn to for help with writing. Businesses need to be able to effectively communicate with their customers, their employees and their potential customers.
Uncommon Advice for Beginning Novelists
1) Convince yourself you want to do something else. If you don't succeed, proceed to number 2.
Eight Ways To Write Your Novel Faster
I asked several writers how long it took them to write a novel they wanted published. One woman writer made a frustrated face at me, a couple others just stared at me (their novel wasn't finished yet), and a few just stared.
Get Published: The Nuts and Bolts of Good English, and How to Impress a Publisher (1)
Not all writers write good grammar. That's a fact.
Whats Missing in your Nearly Finished Book?
Bookcoaching clients come to me at different stages of writing their books. The ones who start from ground zero with a coach and learn what goes into each chapter to make it more readable and sell better.
Do The Unfamiliar To Keep Your Writing Going
One of the best ways to blow someone's winning streak during a tennis game is to comment on how great they are doing. Your comment will kick in their left brain's inner critic which will zap their flow and change their focus.
Book Publishing Contracts For Writers: What Should I Look Out For?
Dave, I just got a contract for a book from a publisher that I haven't worked with before. These long, tedious legal documents just befuddle me, however! Would you mind spinning through this and seeing what you think about the terms and clauses herein?Here are my thoughts on this contract.
The Iniquitous Slip
All the famous writers I heard of could paper the walls of their offices with rejection notices.Rejection slips are the bane of all writers, yet they are inevitable.
Writing Personal Statements - Top Tips
WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO UK UNIVERSITYHOW DO YOU DO IT?And the only way to do that has been largely ignored or is unknown by most students.The failure of the vast majority of students to get admission to their chosen university is one of the great unpublicised stories of our time.
How to Avoid the 11 Biggest Mistakes of First Time Authors
"If you want to change your life," Harry Beckwith wrote in The Invisible Touch, "write a book." But writing a book can also be tremendously frustrating and unrewarding.
Ten Ways to Get Cheap (and Free) Magazine Samples
1 - Join a reading or writing group. Ask members to bring in theiralready-read magazines and have an exchange.
