Flirgan Elf

We’ve all experienced it at one time or another. You sit down at your computer, or you’re at your desk with a pad and pencil all ready to write your heart out…..and nothing happens. Your mind is a complete blank. You feel as though you will never string ten words together in a coherent sentence again. You’ve been attacked by writer’s block. The sad thing about this particular monster is once it sinks its teeth in and begins to work on your psyche, if you don’t defeat it immediately it can be around for some time. Writer’s block can eat away at your mind, and make you think, “Why can’t I write anything?” or “I just had the next scene complete with dialogue in my mind perfectly an hour ago, how come I can’t remember any of it now?”

The following are some techniques that have worked quite well for me:

1. Write anything, even if it doesn’t pertain to what you want to write. Even if you feel what you are writing is crap, it’s important to continue. Just write, even if it doesn’t make sense, even if it has nothing to do with your current project. Who knows? Somewhere in all that “crap” might be a few gold nuggets!

2. If weather permits, go for a walk outside. Something you see might unplug the dam that’s holding all those good ideas hidden in some far flung place in your mind.

3. Take a nap. I’ve gotten some of my best story ideas from dreams I’ve had. And it’s a proven fact that we often dream the solutions to our problems.

4. Meditate. Meditation is easy, even if you’ve never practiced it before. There are many reliable sources on how to meditate both on and offline. I’m sure you can find one if this technique interests you. Like taking a nap, meditation allows the mind to be quiet long enough to find the solution or idea you are looking for.

5. Exercise. Do some yoga, aerobics, or maybe go to the gym and walk on a treadmill or take a spinning class. While you’re at it, watch all the other people and see if it doesn’t jog your brain into giving forth those great ideas.

6. Call another writer. Sometimes it just helps to talk to another author. We’ve all heard the expression before, “Only another author would really understand this.” It’s true, and it’s hard to explain to a non-writer how sometimes our minds just don’t want to work with us when it comes to our writing and coming up with ideas for it. So, call a friend who’s also a writer and talk about your writer’s block, and your current project. Sometimes two heads are better than one.

Everyone suffers from writer’s block even those who don’t consider themselves writers per se. These techniques are designed to rekindle the muse’s flame whether you’re writing a research paper for school, a Dear John letter, or the next New York Times Bestseller. The important thing to remember no matter which technique you choose, is not to let the writer’s block monster defeat you!

Regina Paul is the author of the science fiction novel GETTING OUT ALIVE, and editor of the free bi-monthly writer’s e-zine Regina’s Universe. You can read the first chapter of her novel, sign up for her e-zine and find many other writer’s freebies at: http://www.reginapaul.bravehost.com