When I went to write my Odyssey article this week, I was completely stuck. No topic I came up with seemed original, thoughtful or even remotely interesting. As a writer, I’ve suffered from the dreaded affliction—writer’s block—before. I’m sure many of you have felt it to, be it for school assignments or creative projects or Odyssey articles. And though I don’t have a cure-all remedy for this type of problem, here are some tips I have received over the years that have given me motivation to pick up the pen—or the laptop—once more.
1. Seek Inspiration in New Places
When all of my ideas seem overdone, I go out looking for something new. Much of my writing is drawn from experience—either my own or that of others. Talking to my friends often sparks thoughts that I never would have had on my own. Take a walk in the woods, or your neighborhood, or the mall, and observe your surroundings. Even Googling has its place, as long as you don’t plagiarize the work of others. It may sound silly, but if you’re stuck with writing an Odyssey article, looking up “hot-button issues” or “relatable topics for college students” will provide a plethora of ideas that you can use as a platform.
2. Write...Something Else
Shift your focus to an entirely different assignment. Respond to some random writing prompts. Get the pen moving, the ideas flowing, even if they do not necessarily pertain to the topic you are trying to write about. By simply “exercising” your mind by using it elsewhere, you may be able to loosen up and break through that mental block you have in place.
3. Take a Break!
If you can think of absolutely nothing to write about, just take a step back. Sometimes overthinking is worse than not even thinking about it at all. Many assignments have a timeline, but in most cases you have a little breathing room. Read a book, take a walk, listen to music…the main point is to clear the worry and stress from your mind. Often times, you’ll come back to your writing with a fresh perspective after you’ve been away for a little while. I sometimes find myself thinking of fresh ideas in the strangest situations—in the shower, when I’m driving and even in the shower!
3. Don't Worry; It's Normal
Most writers experience that “stuck” feeling sometimes. It’s important to recognize it for what it is, and then take steps to combat it. And if you absolutely cannot shake your writers block, just wait a few days. I’ve never experienced a bout of writer’s block that was permanent. For every time you experience writer’s block, there will come another where the words flow smoothly, clearly onto the page without prompting, and you’ll feel immensely satisfied by the results of your hard work. Celebrate those moments, and remember them the next time you hit a mental wall.
