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Every writer has it. That dreaded calamity known as writer’s block. You sit in front of your keyboard and stare…or you search through your half-written pieces for a story you can complete…or you scan your collection of writer’s prompts for an idea…or, all of the above. And still you can’t start typing.
The solution is simple. Start typing anyway.
Type the word “The.” Or “Once upon a time.” Or “Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I’m going to start it by [fill in whatever words pop into your head]. Then type another word or phrase. Then another. Repeat for at least 5 minutes, or 10, or 30. Just do it.
Voila! Writer’s block is gone.
Of course, it probably isn’t exactly that easy, though sometimes it is. Mostly it’s about getting your mind working, which happens when you’re typing, even if you don’t know where your typing will end or whether it will be any good.
There are several ways to avoid writer’s block, including some I’ve already mentioned. For example:
- Keep a list of topics: It could be bullet points or paragraphs, whatever can get you started typing onto the virtual page (or for those who prefer the manual method, putting pen to paper),
- Keep a list of writing prompts, or links to writing prompt pages: Some writing prompts are silly and simple (e.g., “Write a 100-word story or poem using the words “Good Golly, Miss Molly”). Others may stimulate deeper introspection (e.g., “Write 1500 words on how you felt when you got an B in a class after getting an A on every exam and paper”).
- Keep a blog calendar: This is a variation on keeping a topic list in which you schedule posts for future events. For example, your calendar for March 17th can say “Post about St. Patrick’s Day.” If you write your posts ahead of time (like you should), put the entry into a date prior to the 17th, such as the 10th or 12th or whatever the weekend day is before the 17th. Be as specific as you can (e.g., “Post about cousin Liam ending up in jail after last year’s St. Patrick’s Day mishap”).
- Write stream of consciousness: Remember above that I said to type the word ‘The,’ then keep typing? That’s stream of consciousness. Just write whatever comes to mind even if it lacks organization or even sense. It might be something you later unceremoniously toss into the recycle bin, or it might be a nugget of gold that sets you on the journey of your life. You won’t know until you write it.
- Write poetry: If you’re a prose writer, try writing a poem. If you write non-fiction, try a short fictional piece. If a science fiction writer, try memoir (or a science fictionalized version of your memoir). Write something different than you usually write, whether it be an opera, a play, erotica, a murder mystery, or an international thriller. Stimulate a few brain cells that have lain dormant.
There are other ways to break writer’s block, as varied as the writers who have it. Sometimes taking a break to go on a long walk, chat with friends, check out Facebook, or watch a movie will be needed. Personally I avoid these “breaks” because more times than not it sets the block further into stone (but by all means, if you’ve been writing hard, take a break to “sharpen the saw”). If you take a break, follow the points above to get back into writing. Breaks don’t make a writer, they simply give you a chance to think. Take advantage of that chance, but get back to the keyboard as fast as possible.
No matter what method you use, the key is to write through the block. Write gibberish, write stream of consciousness, writer erotica, write out your grocery list if you have to…just write. And do it every day.
Time to write.
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David J. Kent is the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, in Barnes and Noble stores late summer 2017. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity (2013) and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World (2016) and two e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.
ru.smiln said:
Interesting post! Very helpful too. 😀
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davidjkentwriter said:
I hope it’s helpful. 🙂
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Josette King said:
Helpful and timely. Good to know I am not the only one with fickle inspiration!
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davidjkentwriter said:
From what I hear, it’s everyone. This helped me. 🙂
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Lightness Traveling said:
Right now, my biggest problem is time. Writing without a keyboard is also running a close second. In about a week, I should have a few minutes to myself in which to get something coherent into text. For subject matter, I’m debating between some observations regarding “social contracts,” or eight women and a 100,000¥ drink tab. That first one is an answer to your query about the difference between Eastern and Western cultures. The latter comes with some (typically Japanese) photo documentation from last night’s dinner.
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davidjkentwriter said:
Time is always there; it’s simply a choice between using it for one thing or another. The keyboard is problematic, though I find typing notes on my phone (or emails to myself) works well in a pinch.
The eight women drinking sounds like something I would like to see. 🙂
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uma197 said:
this is exactly what i needed to read today. I haven’t written anything in a month due to a reunion that I was organising, the full house, work etc etc. I have been missing writing. But today the first night back on my keyboard, I have so many things I want to write about but nothing, concrete. The recent storm, meeting my friends after 30 years, nostalgia but I can’t settle on a topic. I am just going to do what you suggested. thank you
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davidjkentwriter said:
I hope it gives you a jump start and a reset. Good luck!
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uma197 said:
yes it has. Started writing last night. Not finished, so haven’t published as yet. I am linking your blog on that, if that’s okay with you
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davidjkentwriter said:
By all means. I’m just returning from some travel so getting geared back up for writing a book manuscript that is due to the publisher by early December. Time is passing way too quickly.
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uma197 said:
good luck with the book. I too have been thinking of turning some of my work into a book. But still to take it out of the not now basket. If you get a chance could you have a look at some of my work, mainly the Dreaded “C” word, and If only I could turn back that clock. Not sure if there is a book in that
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Southern by Design said:
Great post! I find my “ah ha” moments sometimes come in the middle of the night. I have to get up and write. It can be a pain, but in the end worth the time to just go with it 🙂
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davidjkentwriter said:
Exactly. Write whenever you can.
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