How to overcome writers block? Practical suggestions!

‘If you've got writer's block, you aren't empty - maybe it's just like Twitter - overwhelmed, and loading seems to be taking a while...” –John Geddes

I stared blankly at the computer screen without knowing what to write. My brain seemed to have come to a standstill! Though I fervently search for words to start my article I could not write a word. I did not know what to write about! My mind refused to function! So this is what writer’s block was all about, I told myself. It was a new experience to me and without making much ado I got up from the computer to watch TV.

Are you a writer? Have you experienced this mind shut down when you are writing?Why does your brain suddenly freeze into blankness?

There are many reasons!

• Your imagination runs dry.
• Your concentration is poor.
• You have not planned your topic.
• You do not write down points when ideas about the topic creep up in your mind.
• You think you can write as when you sit before the computer. You invariably forget about the points.

It is called the writer’s block. How can you handle it ? Even the most prolific writer experiences this problem and so you can rest assured that your writing talent has not dried up.

How to handle writer's block?

When your mind refuses to think to give you ideas for your topics, you should not force yourself. You should just get up from that place and completely relax your mind. If you become frustrated and keyed up, it is not going to work.

Writing is related to your brain and mind. It cannot be forced to do things when it is adamant and unwilling to help your imagination to blossom and write. It should come naturally and fluently. Only then will your writing be interesting enough to make viewers read your articles. You can force yourself to do physical work as it just needs your stamina and strength.

But you cannot force your brain when it is sluggish. You should give it time to recover from its lethargy and then try to kindle it to wake up and boost up your imagination. Writing cannot be forced and when it is forced you cannot write effectively.

Why does this block happen to you?

1. You do not write the points as and when it comes to your mind.

The common mistake you make is you do not write down the ideas as it crops up in your mind. This has happened to me many times. While shopping or just walking I get many ideas about the topics which will interest the readers. But I do not jot down the points and when I return home, I forget the topic and also the points which were so creamy and juicy when it came to my mind.

You should always have a paper and pen. When you witness any incidents that is interesting you should write it down so that you do not forget it. Just few words of reminder will do. You should jot down points which will enhance your articles as and when new thoughts spring up in your mind. I follow this idea.

I have a book with hundreds of topic which I had written down when the idea occurred to me. I write the points about the topic that come to my mind and believe me it has helped me a lot.

2. You do not concentrate.

Do you lack concentration? Unless your concentration is hundred percent, you cannot write good articles. When there are distractions, your mind wanders away from what you are writing and you feel your involvement sidetracked. You should be alone when you are writing as it sharpens your concentration. Noises can disturb you as your mind finds it difficult to focus to make your writing worthy of attention.

3. You do not know the glory of writing in the early morning.

Early morning is the most apt time to write as the world is silent and there are no distractions for you. Your mind is fresh and there are no tensed thoughts to disturb your flow of writing. Sit before the computer and clean your table. If things are strewn around it confuses your mind and you will be unable to concentrate.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Now tune your mind to the topic you are going to write. I always have a hot cup of coffee in my hands in the early morning as soon I open my computer. The paper and pencil would be before me. I select the topic and then enjoy my coffee. While sipping and relishing my coffee, new ideas keep coming in and I write the points randomly in the paper.

Then I start writing and only stop after finishing the article. I don’t check the grammar or the logic of my writing. I just write without a pause. After finishing the article I save it in my hard disk and move away from the place. I return after an hour or two and start my proof reading to give the final polish to my article.

4. You do not write with passion.

You should not try to write about topics which does not interest you or which you do not know about. If you do so your articles will be insipid and dull. When you write about something you are passionate about, your writing does not falter and come to a dead end. Passion for the topic you are writing about makes your writing authentic and genuine.

‘No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.’-Robert Frost

When you try these things, you will write prolifically and creatively. You will sustain the interest of your readers.You will also feel satisfied with your writing. When you feel satisfied with your writing, it signals that you have written well and could hope for a massive readership.