Writer's Block - 7 More Tips to Overcome It

I have been writing something for a living sinceon a roll. Do not forget to change back to a more
1967. Notice that for a living part.acceptable font, or you will get funny looks from
When people pay you to write for them, theyour readers.
implication is:- Do all your research first, before you start
- Someone is expecting results.writing. I will use any excuse to fire up Firefox
- There is usually a deadline.and go wandering through hyperspace. Hey, I
- Failure is never an option.may not be writing, but I am working, right?
- No words, no paycheck.Wrong!
As a technical writer you are expected to- Get up and go back to where you were when
perform.you had that great idea. When it comes back to
As a copywriter you are expected to perform,you, go type it.
brilliantly.- The Neanderthal method. That's right, an 8
As a freelance writer you are expected to½" x 11" legal pad and a yellow Ticonderoga
perform miracles!No.2 pencil. For those of you who have never
Along with the expectations comes the stress,tried this, the No.2 can be found near the blunt
frequently followed by writers block.end of the pencil, usually right below that squishy,
Has this ever happened to you?red, brass bound thing. That is an eraser, the
You are sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup ofancient equivalent of CtrlX. To use the pencil, put
coffee, when the greatest idea you ever hadthe other end on the paper and move it around.
pops into your head. You hurry into your office,You will get the hang of it.
boot up your computer, click on your word- Dictate. I hate the sound of my own voice. I
processor and by the time that terrifying, blank,have that typically flat, nasal, Midwestern twang
white page comes up your idea is gone.that sounds like a flock of geese crossing a
Forty plus years after I received my firstfreeway. I will do anything to escape hearing my
paycheck for putting words on paper, it stillown voice, even write!
occasionally sneaks up on me. It is like a form of- Talk your idea out to a good listener and record
snow blindness. All that white and so little black. Itthe conversation. I sometimes try to subject my
is enough to make you crazy.wife to this torture, but she has come up with
When writers block strikes me, I strike back. Iher own, "7 Ways to avoid Me". More often than
can usually overcome it within minutes.not I talk to Kermit. You know Kermit, the green
Here are some tips that work for me and shouldfrog. He sits on a shelf above my computer and
work equally well for you:is always a great listener. Kermit never lets me
- Type anything. Get your fingers working, first.down. Maybe he doesn't know the seven tricks
Your mind will usually come along for the ride.my wife uses!
"admkjrkefmvmd;cwememlbcm". TypingI have intentionally kept the tone of this article
something like that is often enough to get melight, but I assure you, I use every one of these
started. It did not cost me one drop of ink, ortechniques, myself.
one sheet of paper. When I have finished myBy the way, in case you are interested, it took
Pulitzer Prize-worthy document I can just CtrlX itme 41 minutes to write this article. That included:
into oblivion.- A short conversation with Kermit.
- Change your font. Try something ridiculous like- Spell check. (I was right about the spelling of
French script. If you are like me, you will be"processor" and Bill Gates was wrong!)
fascinated to see what it looks like. To see what- Highlighting the entire article and switching fonts
it looks like, you will have to put words on paper,from "French Script" to "Verdana".
or on your monitor. Once you are typing, you areI hope these tips help.