Banishing Writer's Block: Five Easy Steps for Restoring Creative Flow

We have all been there: sitting dumbly in front of the computer screen or notepad feeling speechless and stunted. You think to yourself, But that idea sounded great when I was formulating it, why can't I put it onto paper? My friend, I hate to break it to you, but you are suffering from a classic case of -gasp- writer's block. Wikipedia describes the issue as, "a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to begin or continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity." Lack of inspiration? No creativity? If you haven't read the description of writer's block before it sounds intimidating, serious, and irreversible. But fear not, fellow scribe, here are five easy things you can do to alleviate your mental blockage and once again let the rivers of creativity flow freely:

1) Relax: You have to get this piece done by the end of day today, but you can't seem to write a single word, and your bills are starting to pile up, and your mother won't stop telling you to get a real job, and you are worried that your hair is falling out, and you really need to get this gig done well, and - STOP! You need 15 minutes, half an hour, or even the morning, to calm down. The more you stress yourself the more frustrated your attempts to write will be. Besides, whoever heard of anxiety as the catalyst to creativity?

So take a bath, sit in a massage chair, turn on some soothing music, and shut your eyes. Meditate. Practice breathing exercises. Do yoga. Do whatever you need to do to get your mental and physical state back to a comfortable and unwound neutral. The more anxious you get about your work, the harder it will be to perform.

2) "Jog" your Creativity: I know, it's corny, but the meaning behind it is a seriously helpful one! When you are feeling a little creatively vapid, throw on the gym shoes and hit the treadmill, the pavement, or the elliptical pedals. Taking exercise is a great way not only to burn calories, but also clear you mind, relieve physical and mental stress, and release endorphins. Getting your heart rate up pumps more blood to the brain so you can think better and more energetically and is an awesome, easy, and usually free way to boost your inspiration. 25 minutes of moderate exercise should be enough to help you push past your phantom wall and get back to work - just don't overdo it, you don't want to be too tired to work when you get back!

3) Tickle your Inspiration Senses: We all have certain exterior stimuli (sounds, smells, images, feelings) that make our mind wander, our thoughts frolic, and our intellect tingle. Whether it is great music, a film that you find meaning in, or a good whiff of hazelnut coffee, identify what sensory cues jolt your thinking into gear and throw it in the DVD player or load up the iPod. If you are unsure what external creativity triggers you have, try a few things out: look for music that has multiple layers and interweaving patterns that you can subconsciously follow, or contrastingly something very simple and powerful; for film, check out a movie that is innovative or makes you say, "wow, how did they do/think/produce that scene?" For me, I listen to a playlist of my favorite film soundtrack music or watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Once you have found your stimuli use it! I am confident that nine times out of ten your creativity and ability to write will follow.

4) Phone a Friend: OK, those of you who have read some of my other hubs will scratch your heads and say, "wait a minute, you've used that suggestion before..." But it is true: phoning a friend and having dialogue and conversation about anything is a great way to feel supported and inspired. Call someone you can have a debate with, go grab coffee with your friend who challenges your opinions, or visit someone who you can talk with for hours with over the nuances of an art film. Bouncing thoughts - related or unrelated to your work - off of someone who mentally stimulates you will have over-flow results in terms of your ability to write. I find that the best things I write come after the varied and intellectually diverse chats I have with my best friend. Same policy applies here as applies with working out though, don't make it a day long affair, otherwise you won't have time to write after you finish stimulating!

5) Walk Away: You've jogged, you've listened to Mozart while watching American Beauty and soaking in your tub, and you have spent an hour on the phone with your mom discussing the finer points of communism. Still nothing. Now what? Walk away from the project. Sometimes no matter what you do to stimulate your creative sense, the best thing you can do is completely ignore them and do something totally unrelated. Go to Six Flags, play with your children, or go shopping. Later, after you have completely separated yourself from the work for a while, come back and reassess. Retry the suggestions above, or give it more time. Everyone knows you can't force inspiration, but don't worry, Wikipedia says that writer's block is also just a natural part of the creative cycle. Have a beer, go to bed, and wake up ready to check back in - who knows what your subconscious has been working out on its own?

Happy writing, friends and hubbers! If you liked what you saw here and want more, please check me out at www.thelifeuncommon.net !