How to Get Past Writer's Block

Great ideas, Marcy! I have been keeping an idea book lately. I found that I would come out with ideas while I was out in town, watching tv, or other activities where it wasn't feasible to just write then and there. Now if I would just use that list and actually write the articles! :)

I often get ideas when I'm walking along the sidewalks. My attention gets diverted from the surrounding area as I delve deeper into the idea and try to flesh out the details of the thought. You can understand why this is not desirable, since one gets angry stares from other pedestrians one inadvertently bump into. It can also become dangerous as one cross the street. The photo of writing down your idea when taking a shower is what attracted me to this article. However, one of my problem is acquiring the kind of writing material which is waterproof and suitable inside a shower stall. I am not aware if we have that here in the Philippines, but being a D.I.Y. person (and a cheapskate), I don't mind improvising. Do you have any suggestions? Another probable problem that may arise is that the change of environment may hinder or block the "idea" gathering process of my brain. Should I simulate the walking motion while taking a shower in order to trick the mind into thinking that we're outside pacing the sidewalks? :)

Hi marcy, talk about well timed! lol! I was sitting here chewing my nails so to speak, and clicked on the hubpage feed, and there you were! thanks so much, so many good ideas, now I know what to do, thanks! lol!

thank you for helping me get over my writers block this site gave me tons of ideas

Marcy hello. All these tips are perfect, I believe I needed them all to enhance my writing. Coming up with new ideas is really a challenge. Very helpful hub. THANK YOU!

Thanks for this. I sometimes have trouble coming up with ideas but other times, I have far too many. Both situations are hard. This was some great advice. Thank you for this!

Great inspiration Marcy. I tend to have many ideas, love brainstorming lists. But many times, that is where my ideas remain. Thank you for this motivating hub. Sharyn

Bookmarked this for sure! Sally trove include this awesome hub in one hers which I am thankful I clicked on the link. As I commented in hers: I can think of a million things to write about, however when I face the screen I then think of a million things do to away from it. The fear of a badly written hub or a poor reception of it terrifies me. But this hub inspires me to give it a go. Thank you!

I especially liked the part about using things from your past. I have a few thing hiding there myself.

Saw this in Facebook, and glad I read it. I found your tips very helpful!

Vote up!

I added this to my +1's so that I can read the whole article later. I liked what I have read so far.

Yeah sometimes it's hard to think of things to write about but for the most part, I'm pretty good coming out of a funk. I just think or listen to music or try something and it works. But I love your ideas. Sometimes it happens quite naturally and it produces the best results. Great hub!

This is a great and resourceful article. Thanks for the tips. I have some ideas already!!

One of the most useful hubs I've ever read! Thanks Marcy!

This is a great hub, and very interesting. When I started on HubPages I had mainly written fiction and wasn’t sure I had enough expertise to write about many non-fiction subjects, but the longer I’m here the longer my list of subjects to write about grows and I answered number 4 in the poll. I think having confidence in your ideas is the main thing and you suggestions should give people the confidence that they can come up with ideas.

Every time I see in the Hub news an article of yours all I can see is another masterpiece been written. Another awesome hub.

Informative hub Marcy. The Tips are helpful.

Also with the questions/answers contest. Hubbers can always ponder over the many questions poured out by our fellow hubbers and make a hub out of it.

Voted up as useful and sharing it!

Excellent ideas! I seem to have more ideas than time. However after reading this I discovered even more ideas for hubs. Thanks so much! Great information. Voted useful!

These are all great suggestions. I am fond of "how to" articles when I leaf through a magazine or even watch something on TV so often my ideas come in the form of teaching how to do something.

This Hub Couldn't have come at a better time! I'm getting ready to write a few Hubs, and I'm looking for inspiration online! Thank you for writing this! I feel like I can write all next months Hubs now!

What a great hub. Occasionally I find that I have the ideas flowing but just lack the motivation to actually get them down. I attribute it to having too much on my mind. In a way it is a form of writer's block because I still dont' get mcuh done! However, this is a great read full of great information!

Thanks for this inspiring hub! Like many others, I have many ideas but limited time. But even if I have ideas it isn't always they turn into finished articles. I need to feel the joy of writing on a topic and I agree with you that the best articles often come from ordinary things. I will bookmark this and read it again when I find myself staring at an empty page on the screen and when all ideas seem stupid! Voted up, interesting, useful and more

Tina

Marcy Goodfleisch – OMGosh, I like that notebook in the shower. Lol! What a frustration: The ideas one gets in the shower, and by the time one is ready to write them down, they are gone! With all the water down the drain :))

Marcy this is an excellent hub that will surely twist the mind of many writers who have problems recognizing stories and topics to write about.

Voted up and extremely inspiring :))

Thanks for the great information. Sometimes I have a hard time coming up with a topic to write about. You give some really great and applicable ideas here that I can apply right now. Thank you for sharing.

This hub is very helpful and loaded with great ideas! Well done! Really inspirational

Marcy, great tips and observations. Ideas strike at the oddest of times. Sometimes when one is going to sleep or when one is reading an article. In fact if one keeps the eyes and ears open there should not be any dearth of ideas.

Thanks for this hub.

Voted up & useful.

I am going through a writer's block right now!!! I usually have some decent ideas and usually my students inspire me...but right now...no ideas! Thanks for the ideas you have!

Hi Marcy,

Fabulous list!

Thanks

Gail

Ideas aren't a problem with me but finding the time to write about them is. However, these are helpful suggestions to inspire everyone. Voting this Up and Useful.

Marcy you never fail to amaze me. You have been writing useful hubs everyday and I can't help but say,"hey, I am a fan!".

"You can enrich the lives of others by putting your memories in writing."--Yes, I strongly agree. Hubpages is like a free range online writing community, you can write almost everything even the stories from your past that you deem would touch others lives. :)

Thank for sharing your thoughts Marcy!You have been very helpful! Voted Up and Shared! :)

This is truly a great hub. I love reading your hubs. You have so many wonderful things to share. I am bookmarking this one should I ever find myself short on ideas. Thanks so much! SHARING! Voting up and across except funny!

Really inspirational! I have only one Hub so far, but have read a whole lot of good ones like this. I don't have trouble finding what to write about, but it takes a bit to get it all wrapped up, especially the photos!

This is interesting. It will be a definite guide to people with thought blocks.

This is a great hub! I sometimes have plenty of ideas and lack some kind of motivation to complete a hub. I hoped to get a kick start to finish one I am currently working on by reading this - it really helped! Thank you:)

This was very useful. Your picture of the note pad in the shower got my attention because it reminded me of my hub about getting more traffic but you didn't really mention writing the ideas down. You are right about ideas to write about are everywhere. Voted up and useful.

Your suggestions are good in sparking ideas that may work in writing. I am going to keep this handy as a reference when writer's block hits.

I'm freelancer and I devote my time writing. I have to write at least three articles every week, and I'm always looking for ideas. Your tips are very interesting. thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the tips Marcy. Many times I have the writer's block and just cannot get my 'juices' flowing. Very educational! Keep sharing.

THANK YOU Marcy! Not sure how to get into the March challenge, I'll research it. VERY busy but trying to fit in more writing time on HubPages. Your suggestions are great, I always enjoy reading your Hubs. Blessings, Sparklea :)

Thank you for the great tips! I have been suffering from writers block myself and I haven't been able to come up with good hub materials for about a week, but today I was finally able to sit down and come up with something to write about.

Hi Marcy,

Like other fellow writers said. There is so much to write, but the time is short. You start an idea, then is time go do something else. Great tips and I appreciate this quality hub, made from the heart.Voting this up

LORD

I do not lack ideas... I have plenty. But I have too much other works I do that I have not been writing much. I definitely have to take up time to do some serious writing which is why I am in the March Challenge of 30 hubs in 30 days.

Thank you for the great tips Marcy! I think most of can use these at one time or another.

Great list, Marcy! Thanks!

Great ideas to get new Hub ideas flowing, Marcy! Practical and doable. And, yes, most of us do have life experiences that can really be helpful to others. It is often surprising to discover how much we have been learning from these experiences, almost without realizing it. Get those first lines down and the rest will come...

These are super tips for creating a piece of writing. Your Hub reminds me of Eudora Welty's reflection on the core of inspiration: "I am a writer who came of a sheltered life. A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. For all serious daring starts from within." The trick, as you express so well, is to pay attention. Even the smallest things around you, and within you, have a story for you to tell. Up and useful!

So many ideas so little time! Lol! This is however a wonderful hub with great ideas! Bookmarked in case my muse decide to disappear for a while.

These are great ways to come up with hub topics. I am one of those people who have more topics in my head than I could possibly ever write, although I do hesitate and wonder if it will be "good enough." Voted up.

I find that the moment I experience the next "idea", I have to, have to, have to jot it down or that perfect idea gets lost amongst the myriad of other things I have going on in any one day. Gotta love my notes app on my iPhone for those times! Inspiring hub... thanks.

Marcy, This is such a useful hub. I love a lot of your suggestions, especially the ones reminding us that something that seems like old news to us may be interesting and useful to someone in the world-side audience that may find our hubs.

Hi Marcy! This is a timely Hub for me - meaning I will use it all the timely...or something like that :D I ALWAYS have writer's block. I sit and I want to write but I freeze. I have so many jumbled thoughts in my head that I can't filter and sort through them to know which ideas are a grocery list and which ideas are Hub-worthy. Im bookmarking this to come back when I need help! Thank you and voted up and all sorts of other things.

Thank you for the great article, really helpful

Great suggestions for overcoming writers block and when looking for ideas on what to write about.

I have tons of ideas, but not the time. This hub is very helpful and loaded with great ideas! Well done!

Great hub! I go through spurts when I have so many ideas I don't even have the time to write them all. Then I go through times (like now) when I feel like I am trying to squeeze ideas out of my brain. Thanks for sharing! Voted up!