How to get past ‘writer’s block’
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Whether you write only occasionally or craft words and sentences as part of your regular job, you’ve probably encountered something most people refer to as “writer’s block.” It’s a barrier to writing that’s usually just frustrating, but that if it becomes chronic can threaten your career.
Writer’s block affects anyone who writes from time to time. Often, it’s triggered by the anxiety we feel when we have to complete something important within a short time frame. As the deadline gets closer, the words seem to slip farther away.
As a professional writer (by that, I mean someone who earns their living combining words, phrases, and clauses), I can’t afford to let “block” get in the way of work. My typical workday involves several projects in various stages, all with deadlines that are important to my clients. If I allow myself to shut down because I’m struggling to find the right words, I’m going to disappoint those clients and lose income.
That’s why I’ve developed several different strategies for pushing past those blocks. If you find yourself blocked at inopportune times, I’d encourage you to try any of the following.
Write something, anything. Perseverance is one of the best weapons for combatting writer’s block. Maybe you won’t complete the entire project yet this afternoon, but if you can get a couple paragraphs written, you’ll be that much closer to finished — and I’ve learned that writing just one more sentence or paragraph often causes the block to fade away.
Take a break. Yes, it’s the complete opposite of what I just suggested, but getting away from the screen for a few moments can recharge your batteries and give you the boost you need. Take a 20-minute walk, play with your kids or pets, read something — just take some kind of action that releases the block’s grip.
Switch tasks. Most of us do more than one thing during the workday. If writing isn’t easy right now, switch to a different task for an hour or so, then come back to the written work. You may be surprised at how much energy you’ll gain.
Change locations. Grab your laptop and bring it to another location in your office, home, or the outside world. A change in environment can interrupt the anxiety that’s at the root of block. Mindfulness exercises like meditation can transport you into a new place, too.
Smaller nibbles. Instead of telling yourself you’ll write the entire project in one sitting (often setting yourself up for failure), set out to write one section, one paragraph, or whatever portion appears to be more manageable. An advantage of this approach is that each time you fulfill that task, you’ll be more eager to tackle the next.
My favorite. While those methods work, the one I’ve found to be most consistently effective is what I call starting in the middle. We’re taught to write in a linear fashion, from beginning to end, but there’s really no need to do that. Starting in the middle allows you to focus on what you want to say instead of how you’re going to say it.
Begin with the main point or points you want to get across to your reader. You don’t have to make those thoughts formal sentences — just get them in written form. Suppose your assignment is a blog post on the importance of workplace safety, and you’re hoping to make these three points:
- Most workplace injuries are preventable.
- Safety strategies reduce time and financial losses.
- Working with a safety consultant is a good way to start.
The first thing to do is type those three phrases, with plenty of blank space between them. Then add statements that explain or expand upon those points (or important keyword phrases) under each of them. Again, don’t worry about getting the wording perfect. It’s more important to get the thoughts down right now.
Next, start combining those thoughts into sentences and paragraphs. Add the surrounding words and transitions, and you’ll probably be amazed at how quickly the words start to flow. Once you have most of your thoughts assembled and started, it will be easier to write a compelling introduction and a logical conclusion. Edit what you’ve written a couple more times to smooth out any rough spots.
No matter which method you choose to take control of writer’s block, don’t let a desire for perfection be your greatest enemy. When you’re starting any kind of writing project, the ideas you want to convey are for more important than the words you’re using. If you allow yourself to write the same way, you’ll find it less frustrating and find yourself becoming more productive.
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Scott Flood creates effective copy for companies and other organizations. To learn more, contact him at sflood@sfwriting.com or 317-839-1739, and visit his blog at sfwriting.com/blog. ©2024 Scott Flood All rights reserved