| Have you ever suffered from writer's block? | | | | I've sometimes been inspired when editing |
| Here are 5 ways to cure this debilitating affliction. | | | | because a recent piece of research can actually |
| One of them should work for you: | | | | enhance or replace the older content. Slash that |
| 1. Don't Write | | | | bit, add the more appropriate bit, and suddenly a |
| I know that sounds obvious and cynical, but there | | | | clunky page comes together nicely. It's magic |
| is nothing more demoralizing than sitting there, | | | | when it happens. |
| staring at a blank page or a blinking cursor. | | | | 4. Do Anything Other Than Write |
| Blinking, blinking, blinking...it's mindless isn't it? If you | | | | Nature is magic so get outside! More specifically |
| don't have anything to write then don't waste | | | | try to spend s few hours near moving water or |
| your time! Writers block is a mindset. Try one of | | | | in a dense forest. If you can't get close to real |
| the following tips to find the muse: | | | | nature then find a city park or zoo. Go breathe |
| 2. Read Something You've Already Written | | | | some fresh air and don't think about anything |
| If you are new to writing you might not have | | | | related to writing. |
| much to reread, but I seriously doubt anyone | | | | Writer's block is simply a blank mind often caused |
| would land on this post without having written | | | | by too much thinking. |
| something. | | | | Go experience the world, whether it's a weekend |
| Whether its fiction, poetry, a love letter or a | | | | away or taking the dog for a longer walk than |
| Facebook post, go find something you've written | | | | usual. Invest some time in the yard or with the |
| in the past and while reading it, attempt to put | | | | family and give no thought to the plot or |
| yourself in the same headspace you were when | | | | characters or research. Another great way to |
| you wrote it. Feel the emotions which pulsed | | | | spend this non-writing time is to read. Reading can |
| through your mind and body at that time. Think | | | | be a superb motivator, so pick up your favorite |
| about the circumstances in your life then, because | | | | book and immerse yourself in it. Leave the pen |
| you were writing with ease then. | | | | and laptop behind if they are not speaking to you. |
| If you're anything like me, you'll probably cringe at | | | | Sit back and enjoy someone else's muse. |
| what you read, so you'll want to edit it. | | | | 5. Respect The Muse |
| Overcome writer's block by going into editing | | | | The muse can a very fickle companion. There are |
| mode... | | | | many reasons why its presence varies. It's |
| 3. Edit Existing Work | | | | impossible to create a masterpiece on demand, |
| I hate to tell you this, but your content still needs | | | | so accept the gifts when they come to you and |
| some attention. Rarely can anyone get every | | | | be thankful. Writer's block is not a block, it is a |
| aspect of flow, timing, grammar, person and | | | | time for self-assessment and review. Curing it is |
| rhetoric all correct the first time. Any writer | | | | simply a matter of time. When the muse's gifts |
| prospers from both a serious self-edit and a | | | | cease for a period of time, be thankful for when |
| second, third and fourth opinion. Be brutal. In this | | | | you did receive them. They will return more |
| day of cut and paste, it's easy to 'save as' and go | | | | quickly that way... |
| for it. | | | | |