Writer’s Block: Every Writer’s Nightmare

Posted on October 12th, 2008 in Writing by Allison Jae

Here are some things I’ve done over the years when I’ve suffered from writer’s block.

What is every writer’s worst fear. The fear that they won’t be able to write anymore. We have all gone through it at one time or another. The true terror is that it will never come back again, but never fear. A writer writes always. There are some things we can do to get the creative juices flowing. Here’s a few things I have tried.

Taking a walk can always help, but don’t take your regular route. Take a detour. You just may see something that you’ve never seen before. Be observant. Soak in the atmosphere. It may be a busy street with lots of activity, like cars going by and honking their horns, people shouting at the top of their lungs, or perhaps a quiet residential street. Take it all in with all five senses, then return home and write down everything you saw. Everything from the sound of the wind blowing, faint sounds in the distant. Did you notice a house with paint pealing? Was there a crack in the sidewalk? What did it look like? Was there children playing out in the yard? What kind of games were they playing? Was there a barking dog? How was the weather? Was it clear and sunny, or was it starting to rain. Write down everything you remember.

If this doesn’t work, try a word game. I’ve done this at time. Cut out small strips of paper about twenty in all. On each strip write a word, any random word. Put all your strips into a small paper bag and hake it up. Take out five strips and write a paragraph or two using those five words. Don’t expect a master piece to come out, but it is just a simple exercise to get the creative juices flowing.

Sometimes a good distraction can help. Get away from it for a while. Call a friend, go out to eat, go shopping. Usually when we are not thinking about it that when the answer hits us. The brilliance is back,and we start wring like mad again. It always seems when you least expect it that part of the story that you have been stuck on becomes clear, and even if it isn’t what you originally intended, just keep writing. We never know what will come out until it does.

Just remember, writer’s block is not the end of the world. It will happen many times, but don’t freak out when it does. Take a deep breath and clear your mind. Even if what you write is not prefect, and you feel like it’s not going anywhere, don’t worry. Writing is a journey, and on every journey there are pitfalls. Sometimes those bad ideas can lead to the more brilliant ones, so whatever you do just keep writing. Keep this is mind and the nightmare that in writer’s block will just become a passing bad dream soon forgotten.

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16 Responses to “Writer’s Block: Every Writer’s Nightmare”

Francois Hagnere
October 12th, 2008 at 4:45 am

Very true Allison, and thank you for sharing this experience.
Best regards, François
Glynis Smy
October 12th, 2008 at 7:06 am

Good advice, I agree with the walking a different route.
Meg AE Kristan
October 12th, 2008 at 7:57 am

Wow, that was such a helpful article! I often fall victim to writer’s block, and am planning to use all of these suggestions the moment my creative juices cease to flow.
Will Davis
October 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am

Wow you got it right there. I sure hope that I can keep my writers block at bay.
Will Gray
October 12th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Great article. I have experienced writer’s block as we all do from time to time. I then think about the little things in life and I do take a walk with these things in mind. Great advice.
ptoolen
October 12th, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Thanks for the helpful article on writers block. I like the idea about wrting down random words and picking 5 to make something out of. That’s a wonderful idea. I also have found that reading other peoples things or watching an unusual movie sometimes gets my mind going in another direction.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
October 12th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

Wonderful tips, thanks Allison. You’ve said it all.
Jalaran
October 12th, 2008 at 11:19 pm

I always fear this is going to happen….
Nathette
October 13th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

OMG this has happened to me more than once! I also have written about this nemisis thanks for sharing!
Kiki Stamatiou
October 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Interesting piece of writing. There are a lot of good ideas here. I’m going to try some of these techniques mentioned in your article.

Take Care,

Kiki Stamatiou (Joanna Maharis)
Lavia
October 14th, 2008 at 2:39 pm

This is good advice. Thank you for sharing. I try all them. I get writers block so much, that I wonder how I would survive if it was not my passion/hobbie but my passion/job. Thank you again for sharing.
Tom Woodside
October 16th, 2008 at 7:03 am

thanks for the tips. i hate writers block. i always just beat my head against a wall until i’m tired of trying so hard. this has just happened to me and i think i’m coming out of it. i’ll try some of these tips, then maybe i won’t have to beat myself up so hard
C W Moore
October 16th, 2008 at 10:58 pm

there are several errors of punctuation, spelling, and grammar that could use a good edit – otherwise, a very helpful piece
Joanna Barnett
October 17th, 2008 at 11:07 pm

EXCELLENT! OMG, you’re so right, and the advice is wonderful. Thank you.
larcha 51
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 pm

Great article, I really enjoy your poems!
Bjoern
January 28th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

You could always try the Albert Hoffman approach. JK. The problem is when you can’t tap into the creative part of your brain, the part that makes connections to other experiences. Its the secret to figurative language, and allows us to think outside the box.
Great article, I these are excellent ways to tap into those connections. They make us notice what we take for granted.

Writer’s Block: Every Writer’s Nightmare

16 Responses to “Writer’s Block: Every Writer’s Nightmare”

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