Beat the Writer's Block Blues!

Here are some surefire methods that work for me, and will work for you.

KNOW WHAT STAGE YOU ARE AT. If you are at the drafting stage then your approach will be different to when you are revising or editing; e.g. if I get a block when starting out I use the Grouping strategy below.

GROUPING is a great way to start out. The brain works by word association and hanging words together on mental hooks. Take a piece of blank paper and write down words/ideas relevant to your topic - and start to group them according to any association you feel fit. Just the act of writing and grouping can be enough to release new ideas.

SET A LIMIT. There's nothing worse than sitting there for hours inspecting the bottom of your mug. I like to give myself a limit to the minutes I work. Short sharp sessions of activity (5-10 mins) are more effective than one longer session (1-2 hrs).

REWARD YOURSELF. Even when I have only written for ten minutes I will reward myself for having put pen to paper. This doesn't mean I leave my desk and watch tv. Just that I enjoy a biscuit, listen to an MP3 tune, have a stretch...etc. It must be a single reward that once over, has refreshed my brain and got me thinking again.

PICK & CHOOSE. If I get bored with a chapter, I tend to work on a new chapter - and not necessarily the next one. Sometimes I work on creating the last chapter of my book, or tackle a chapter that seems exciting. To do this, of course I will have mapped out an outline story with chapter headings. This pick & choose approach works with paragraphs too.

CHUNK IT. Similarly, if your goal is huge (to write a 2000 words a day)then you may find yourself falling short of the target. I prefer to chunk the task and break it down from a general idea - into clearly identifiable steps.

READ INSPIRING QUOTES. There are plenty around to collect from the net. My favourite is 'Imagination is more important than knowledge' by Albert Einstein (but it's all relative!)

FIND THE FEAR. Think what it is that might be stopping you. Is there a rush to go out and pick the kids up? Is a deadline looming? Locate the fear factor and laugh in its face. How?

Jot down what might be holding you up and using your thickest pen to strike it out firmly. Then face the fear and study your reactions. Often this will relax you, or at least give you a sense of perspective.

When creating characters I like to locate the fear in them too. Writers are all motivated by our emotions and surroundings and like to be in control...and so are our characters. Putting fear into their lives enhances dramatic tension, and conflicts and will make them more believable. This goes for children's writing as well as adult fiction. Children love being scared...but in a safe way of course. That's why they secretly peep under the bed.

I could go on, but there are plenty more tips to be found below. When I can I will add to them...

Writer's block? Let's shock it and unlock it!!

Jack Gold http://writersblockshock.blogspot.com/