Being an English Major, I have had to write many (MANY) papers and even I've had my moments where I have drawn a complete blank. Whether it's a short story, a poem, a song, an article, etc. we've all encountered writer's block one way or another. Writer's block is one of the biggest hurdles to get over as a writer as it tests both your thought process as well as your creativity. There are a few reasons that can cause writer's block and the main ones that I have personally dealt with are timing; having to get that big research paper in the next day, fear; being afraid to put your ideas to paper and perfectionism; when you want everything to be just right, it just has to be perfect. I am guilty of having killed many poor trees as a result of my writer's block and will even admit that I've even dealt with it when writing these articles. But in an ironic twist I actually decided I could use my current bout with writer's block as inspiration for another article. I have found a few techniques that have helped me get over my writer's block and I'm sure they will help you.
Go For a Walk or Run
The one thing that I found that really helped me out was when I chose to walk away (no pun intended) from my paper for a while and decided to go for a run. Running not only gets your blood running but it is also good for getting the creative juices flowing. Running also helps clear your mind so all of that over thinking and self doubt goes away. I know after running I felt really good about myself and felt more motivated to get to work and get my writing done.
Free Write
One of the worst things you can do as a writer is to walk away until you're inspired. Although I just said that it is good to walk away from it for a bit, as a writer you should never just walk away and wait around for something to come to you because it never comes to you just like that. Free writing has always been a good exercise in helping a writer be able to come up with ideas and also find that inspiration they may have been looking for.It's good to just let everything that is on your mind just be released onto paper. I know what you may be thinking, how writing about nothing help? Well you never know you may find exactly what you're looking for where you would least expect it.
Read
Whether it is your favorite book, a comic book, an article (may I recommend the Odyssey Online) you can always get great joy out of a good book. You may not notice it every time you do it but, the more you read the more you are actually making yourself a better writer. Reading is a great way to stimulate the mind and get you thinking and that thinking can help you generate ideas.By reading the works of others is also a great place to find inspiration. Many great authors found inspiration for their work by reading the works of their predecessors and by doing so became as great if not greater than they were. You may find that yourself picking up some tricks from your favorite writers and incorporate it into your own work. Maybe reading your favorite story will inspire you to create your own story. Reading is a great outlet for getting over writer's block and will make you a better writer in the end.
Tell Yourself You Can Do It
Being a writer the one thing I know for a fact is that I am my own biggest critic. They say that most writers don't like their own work and I can believe that because whenever I finish an article or a story, I always think it could have been better. Even while I was writing I found myself doubting myself and telling myself this isn't good enough, this sucks, this is crap, all of that. But what I have learned in my time as a writer as well as in life in general that you have to just tell yourself that you can do it. It is good enough. Your work does not suck. You have to believe in your own work and know that you became a writer for a reason. Remind yourself that this is what you were made to do and be confident enough to not let the doubt in your head keep you from becoming the great writer you were meant to be.
While it may not be an easy hurdle to conquer, once you make that step and get past your writer's block you will be one step closer to becoming a great writer.
