Writer's Block and an Article about Nothing
There are many techniques out there to overcome writer's block and the video below is quite effective. In fact, it's the very technique I used to write this article.
I woke up this morning and told myself I was going to write a great story and post it on my blog. The only problem was I didn't know what I was going to write about. I don't write for a living so it's not a major concern, but seems to be happening more and more these days.
I don't need to a doctor to tell me that I have a chronic case of writer's block.
Writer's block - the writer's equivalent to "E.D ". (If you don't know what that is, don't ask - but there's seems to be an overload of TV and radio ads on the subject these days). But kidding aside, from a writer’s standpoint it can be just as frustrating. We’ll call this “W.B.”
So how will I get through this? Will I get through this?
I'll just keep writing to see if I can get myself out of it. There seems to be a signal from my brain to my fingers that is keeping me typing these words. It may not be that interesting, it may have misspellings, sentence fragments, and improper syntax, but it is content it looks like I’m still going.
Yeah, I guess this is just an article about nothing. Or is it?
An instant cure for writer's block
Have you ever suffered from writer's block?
If you want to write, just write.
Which brings me to the point of this gibberish. If you want to write, just write. My number one technique is to keep a small notepad (not Windows notepad, a real paper notepad) and to jot down ideas when I get them. Otherwise, so much inspiration is lost.
It’s not much different in songwriting. I get melodies in my head all the time and while humming them to myself think that this would be a hit. An hour later, I’ve lost that melody. I could kick myself in the head for not writing down the melody or recording it when that moment of inspiration appeared.
I gave myself permission to write garbage.
A few ways to cure writer's block
- Clear your head. If you are stressed, or your mind is all over the place, it is going to be difficult to focus. Put down the pen or walk away from the computer) and go for a walk, and just relax. Some people find that meditation works very well (almost literally clearing your head).
- Find Inspiration. Sounds easier said that done. Many people find inspiration when they travel or engage in thrilling activities. I'm not saying to go and climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but you get the drift. Many great songs were written while the musicians were out on the road somewhere. ("
Smoke On The Water" comes to mind.)
- Read. Oftentimes, reading a newspaper, book, or article will give you some ideas. Just be careful. You may wake the next day with a great subject in your head and forget that you actually read it in a book last month. Plagiarism is not a good idea!
- Brainstorm with friends. ASK for ideas. Sometimes story lines are sitting right in front of you and you don't even notice it.
- Exercise. Your brain is attached to your body. A physically fit body can help your mind.
The Show About Nothing
On a Seinfeld episode, Jerry would keep a pad by his bed. He would wake up after dreaming about a funny joke or something and write it down immediately. This episode was particularly funny because Jerry couldn’t read what he wrote. But you get the idea.
Seinfeld also featured the infamous “show about nothing” episodes, which is actually the influence on my title of the “hub about nothing”. The show about nothing was in reality a show about something. So was this article. And I thought I didn’t have anything to write about today.
So relax. Just keep writing and inspiration will come and come often. Just be there when it happens.
You know, it’s pretty amazing, I didn’t have anything to write about, and I’ve already written over 700 words. I guess it’s easier that I thought!
