Writer's block....help? How do you get past writer's block?

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   proudmammaposted 12 years ago

   Writer's block....help? How do you get past writer's block?

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   hildredposted 12 years ago

   The best way for me is to just sit down and write. Anything. But if you're using a specific world/character that you're blocked on, just write about something else involving them. Sometimes putting characters in different situations than what you're blocked on can help spur on ideas.
   
   The other suggestion is to do anything BUT writing that still stimulates Ye Olde Muse. Read, watch a movie, play a video game, cook, go for a walk - anything that incites your brain to think creatively. I've overcome huge plot blocks by playing video games, haha.

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   rdbpitposted 12 years ago

   I find myself sitting around checking sports scores, looking up hobby-related things, putting off work, and discovering new TV shows to watch in their entirety far too often. Especially because the entire time I'm doing this, my mind is saying 'I want to write something amazing!'
   
   But if I actually opened up Microsoft Word and tried to translate whatever idea happened to be floating around in my head onto the screen, it wouldn't happen. Writer's block isn't something that can be 'poof'd' away. I find that when I get an idea like that, say "A man takes a trip across the country without any guidance or thought and just observes the landscape" that I can't really just write it. But if I map it out, figure out what I want the story to say, how the man acts, what his favorite flavor of ice cream is, then I really want to write about him.
   
   My advice is: Take the idea you're working with and try to map it out. Don't write coherently if you can. Fragments are better or you'll feel like you're writing and the 'block' will creep back in. If you're used to typing, grab a notebook and a pencil and jot some notes down while you watch the news or a mindless show like Jeopardy or something. If you're still having trouble, I've also found that doing an intense editing session puts me in the mood to continue a story. The mindset that, "Now that I've polished up the first twenty pages, I can finally move on to the next twenty."

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   loveofnightposted 12 years ago

   I use everything around me, the first thing that I do is take notes.If I am listening to a song I will jot down why it held my attention.If I am watching a good story on tv I ask myself why do I like it and make note of it.Before I know it I have a paragraph.Sometimes I have notes about three or four separate things.I later look at my notes and before I know it I have other things to add to the different topics. Write about things that you know.Something that doesn't require a lot of thought, even if it is about a new pair of shoes that you have bought.You' might surprise yourself.

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   kayyluhposted 12 years ago

   I have a hub about getting over writers block, I tried to come up with as many tips as possible, because I know how much of a pain it is to have! Well if your interested it's there I hope you get over your writers block. Good luck to you

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   wim99posted 12 years ago

   One exercise I like to do to" break the block", is to keep 3x5 cards filled with ideas handy. They usually help to return the majestic flow of the pen, especially when accented by some "cool jazz". Another great exercise is to brainstorm on the cards until I drift off to sleep.

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   Dee aka Nonnaposted 12 years ago

   Most, if not all, the tips and suggestions mentioned here I've also tried at one time or another.  The one tip I can add is this ..... just relax, if you are trying to force the words, thoughts or ideas you block the flow of energy.  Once you relax you might be surprised at how fast the ideas flow.
   
   My problem is not "writer's block"...at least not now, but "block of time".  I go through certain periods when I am so busy that there just isn't the time I need.... I in in one of those now, but I keep joting down ideas, etc.  LOL

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   Seeker7posted 12 years ago

   The first thing to do is not to force yourself to try and think of a topic/subject. When you're relaxed ideas come much more quickly. Firstly I tend to just browse around either on line and I read hubs on Hub Pages. These are packed full of ideas. Don't worry if nothing immediately comes to mind, these ideas are often just seeds, that then grow into something more worthwhile. When browsing you can also try putting random words in as a search, words that mean something to you and that you have a connection with in your writing. The ideas that come up in searches can frequently spark off  an idea for you.
   
   But in addition to all this, writer's block can often come on when you are stressed and tired. So relax, go away and do a few things that you enjoy and forget about writing for a few hourse or even a day or so. The least likely time that you will overcome writer's block is when you are sitting in front of a computer screen with a blank and tired mind. Doing this only leads to more stress and frustration and of course more writer's block.

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      Diane Woodsonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This is a great article. I am having a slight case of block but am hoping it will be short lived.

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   MickSposted 12 years ago

   You get over writers block by not having it in the first place, it's only in your head, it's just anoher way to procrastinate, to put off that terrifying moment of actually putting pen to paper.

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    sankari.nayagamposted 12 years ago

    It has been long time since I have written a hub but that doesn’t mean I haven’t attempted one. Whenever I tried to attempt a hub, it so happened that I always ended up closing a blank worksheet or a blank paper. Somehow I felt some difficulty... read more

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    J.S.Matthewposted 12 years ago

    I have found these 10 Tips very useful to Overcome Writer's Block: http://jsmatthew.hubpages.com/hub/The-W … Block-Cure
    
    Hope this helps!
    
    JSMatthew~

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