How do you get through writer's block? 7 tips
Posted on August 6, 2017 • 4 min read • 701 words
Maybe you never suffer from it, but I do: writer’s block. The strange thing is that it doesn’t happen that often to me when I’m under pressure from a deadline. Then the words generally flow from my fingers. That does not mean that they are the most beautiful pieces of text from a linguistic point of view, but at least it is something.
But every now and then nothing comes out of my fingers. I then look at my screen with a dazed look, hoping that there is something meaningful that I still have to type. So that usually doesn’t happen. As the nervousness builds, I stare into the distance and hope that motivation is written on the wall somewhere.
Unfortunately.
Yet at such a moment I have to perform/produce something. I read a text on the internet about tackling writer’s block, which gave me the idea to describe how I tackle this myself. This is how I get moving again.
- Close with music
- Sketch a structure
- Fill the structure
- Jump back and forth
- Make a drawing
- Do something else
- Write
Close with music
One of the first things I do is shut myself off with music. This goes so far that I put on [well-sealed headphones]/sennheiser-momentum-m2-iei/ with a playlist on Spotify, Workday Lounge . In other words, I’m going to ensure that I can work distraction-free.
Sketch a structure
Usually this is very simple. I build it up logically. For example, for a design I use: Who are you/who are we, what is the reason, what are your problems, how do we solve it (main points), how do we solve it (detail), what does it cost in time and supplies.
The structure for a blog is different, but still somewhat the same. What is the problem, what is the solution (global), what is the solution (detail) and a conclusion.
Fill the structure
Once I have a structure, I fill it with key words, catchphrases, links, pieces of text that I have previously created, etc. This is usually a point-by-point list. When I have a few words, more will come. And sometimes full sentences suddenly come out and the dam of my writer’s block is broken. Of course I’m typing this as well. Editing to a good text can be done later.
Jump back and forth
If I can’t figure it out anymore, I jump back and forth through my text. I look where I can add words and adjust sentences. One sentence or word often produces more words and sentences.
Draw a picture
But I also see if I can add drawings. Very often I don’t use a computer program for this, but I start sketching on paper or whiteboard. This makes me work on my goal in a different way. Once I have a picture, the words come naturally. After all, the picture needs a description.
Do something different
It doesn’t matter, but I’ll do something. Sometimes I work on another assignment, walk around the office building or around the house. Another time I call someone to catch up. In some cases I pick up the saw and do some woodworking. Anything to give my brain a break, even though the pressure is still so high. This is often enough to give me other insights or inspiration.
Write
It sounds strange, but sometimes the remedy for me is simply writing it down, but something different. It doesn’t matter what it’s about, as long as I write. Sometimes I start with an article for VMGuru or this site, sometimes it is texts about the subject I am working on. Writing often gives me ideas and the words to move on. Adjusting existing sentences and adjusting the structure of chapters and paragraphs often helps to get me back into writing mode.
Conclusion
So you see again. If you start writing, at some point you will hit that wall, which means you cannot continue writing. You’ve now seen some of the tools I use to keep writing. Maybe they will help you too.
What do you use to get through your writer’s block? Let us know below. This is how we help each other.
