WRITER’S BLOCK?
How do You Sidestep Writer’s Block?
Regardless of whether you are an amateur or professional writer, you can overcome Writer’s Block. The term often conjures the image of an early twentieth century author of the great novel—rumpled, frazzled, and hazy from exhaustion abetted by alcohol or other drugs. Regardless of your setting, be confident and don’t overthink the moment, for the beauty of your story is that it is going to continue to evolve!
When stymied by an inability to produce the required quality verbiage, the valiant wordsmith may continue to drill down in a repeating exercise of seeming activity…with the hope that it will produce a new dynamism. But an episode of slugging away at wordsmithing without inspiration often yields the same result: N O T H I N G O F V A L U E!
Is there an easy solution to the dilemma of low motivation and poor productivity? Sometimes the answer is no. At least for the time being, setting the project aside may be your best solution. But lets examine the available alternatives to abdicating your role as a writer like hitting your head with the hammer of guilt?
In the Southwestern desert, simply drinking water can restore one’s ability to concentrate, if not reviving one’s creativity. Another option isexercise. Going for a run or walking in a garden will remove you from an atmosphere of defeat…and inhaling fresh air re-oxygenates your bloodstream and enhances brain function. In addition, recent biochemical research has shown the benefit of eating brain-stimulating foods. But if preparing a meal of nut-encrusted fish with broccoli and tomatoes is not doable at the moment, you could consider taking apower nap, perhapsserenaded by Mozart orVivaldi.
Beyond tangible physical benefits, these strategies provide Attention Distraction. Now wait a moment, you say? Attention distraction is usually associated with magicians misdirecting audiences…or mystery writers dropping false leads into their text to confuse listeners and readers about the true direction of the author’s plotline.
Regarding the quandary of writer’s block, consider that scientists exploring attentional focus and problem solvinghave discovered that too much mental focus can reduce one’s creativity, as well as the ability to solve problems. Therefore any strategy that redirects your energies is useful in refreshing your body and mind.
For me,the key to increasing my productivity is adjusting my frame of mind. For even if I’m poised to bring form to a fully visualized project, extraneous noise like ringing phones, talk or even music can stall my work. Sadly, I’ve found that food and water, or a change of scenery with heart stimulating activity, only helps to a limited degree.
Attentional distraction via the dovetailing of the creative processes I mentioned in previous posts is my best method for sidestepping writer’s block. If all else fails, cleaning house or playing a few games of solitaire allows me to return to hours of fruitful composition! All of the techniques I've mentioned in this post has helped me through myriad phases of writing, shaping marketing materials, and presenting myself at promotional events.
Finally, here is a commandment I recommended to serious writers: Thou shalt set and maintain a schedule for daily composition—or other work related to the art and science of wordsmithing. And remember that in challenging moments,the Universe will provide the answer you seek…when you are ready to receive it!
To what do you dedicate your pen? I strive to use mine to generate inspirational images for our world…
