To say that it has been a long winter is an understatement. Less daylight combined with last month’s freeze and the now year-long Covid-19 restrictions has put a damper on everybody’s mood. Not surprisingly, these factors can cause the dreaded “writer’s block” for many authors when motivation and productivity dwindle. Writer’s block is a challenging obstacle for anyone to overcome, but here are some tips to help.
Do Something That Makes You Smile
Sometimes the best strategy for overcoming writer’s block is to do something completely unrelated to the task at all. It may seem counterintuitive, but instead of squeezing words out just do something that makes you smile. Maybe go for a walk, make coffee, or cook one of your favorite meals. Whatever it is, doing a simple activity that you enjoy can put you in a positive state of mind and unlock your creativity.
Go Back to Basics
Remember the writing tools that you were taught in grade school? These simple tools can be perfect for getting over the hump and re-starting your writing process. Brainstorm webs or sticky notes aren’t just for kids; they are an excellent start to getting your ideas on paper and allowing them to build off each other. Or if you already have ample ideas but are struggling to write cohesively, think about starting with an outline first. This tool can act as the foundation for your writing, structuring your ideas into an introduction, thesis (if academic), body, and conclusion. Each section should include your main idea, supporting facts or information, and any other details to guide you as you prepare to write your draft. The more detailed this outline is, the easier it will be to know what to write and, in turn, get you over the block when you go to draft it.
Don’t Start at the Beginning
If you are struggling with getting the first words down on your actual writing, don’t start with the introduction. Instead, dive right in on the topic that you are the most comfortable with. Once words start filling up the page, your writer’s mind will begin to build the rest of the work.
Don’t Stress on the First Draft
Once you have started putting words down, avoid trying to perfect every adjective or synonym. Continuously pausing to correct your writing can ruin your flow and keep you distracted which only leads to more writer’s block. Changing your mindset to being focused on just getting the words on your paper, knowing it’s only supposed to be a rough draft, can really help you. After the rough draft is complete and you’ve already gotten your ideas down, you can then focus on optimizing your verbiage and proofreading.
Remember that spring is right around the corner, so stay positive over these last few weeks. In the meantime, if you need any assistance with your writing, reach out to Em & A Pen today!