Seven Ways to Overcome Writers Block

I have enjoyed writing for many years and anyone that has written or has the drive to write will understand the term writers block all too well. We should not feel alone in this as some of the most well known and successful writers have suffered from the same malady. You sit in front of your computer and a million ideas run through your head but none of them that really inspire you. The more you think about it the less you can write. You get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that you may never write again. Well don’t despair there are ways to overcome this affliction.

Don’t be too eager to write

You have decided on a topic that you want to write on but don’t get to eager to put it on paper just yet. I personally find this a bit difficult as I tend to be a person that once inspired my fingers are itching to hit the keys which is not always the best thing.  Any person getting ready to do an article, book or poetry should dwell on what they’re going to write from a few hours to a few days. This will give you time to come up with other ideas about your article before you start.

Preparation is important

This is the time to study and read all the background material that you can find on the subject you’ve chosen. Highlight important points for quick reference if you need it. Try to review all your references before you start to write.

Simple outlines really work

The first thing to do before your fingers start hitting the keys is to put together a simple point-form list of all the key points you want to use in your article. If you’re an organized person it won’t be difficult to organize your ideas in the way you intend to use them throughout your article. This is an old lesson that we were taught in school but it’s tried and true and really do work.

Try to keep all your references close by

Before you start writing make sure all of your reference material is close at hand. This is your guide to your article and will keep ideas fresh in your mind. If you have highlighted it should be a snap to find the important information you will need. Spread them out in front of you if you feel the need. The closer they are to you the better.

Now it’s time to put it into words

When you have finished all your research now it’s time to start writing. By now you should be enthused enough to put your ideas on paper or whatever your using. If you are still suffering the dreaded writers block start writing anyway, regardless of what it is, just start writing.  It won’t take long before the words will start pouring out on the page and you’ll have your confidence back once more.

Remember it’s only the first draft

This is not the time to dwell on perfection. This is only your first draft so don’t get caught up in going back to correct your mistakes. Just keep writing. The most important thing you can do right now is get your thoughts onto the page while it is fresh in your mind. You may find when you’re revising your article that there will be additional information you want to add so corrections can be a real plus when you’re writing.

Find a template to follow

A template can be found in articles you have already written or a magazine that you have read.  As long as it is classed with the same type of article you are writing then you should find this very helpful. Put it on a wall in front of you so you can refer to it from time to time. You will really appreciate the help you can get by doing this.

These are just a few ways to overcome a problem that all of us suffer with from time to time. You will have to admit it is certainly better than sitting there staring at the walls instead of your computer screen which has happened to me many times.  All writers know it is a force from within that drives us to put words together to make something that you hope other people enjoy, I hope that these hints will help you as it has helped me.