How to Prevent Writer's Block - Can You?
Ah, WRITER'S BLOCK The dreaded nemesis of writers everywhere. And the thing that anyone embarking on the journey of writing fears - before it even happens. We've all been there, staring at a blank page, fingers poised above the keyboard, and... nothing. It can feel like our creativity has packed up and gone on vacation without us.
What if I told you that writer's block might not be caused by what you think? What if, instead of battling it, you could actually embrace it and use it to your advantage? Intrigued? Let's dive in.
The Creative Mind We writers and creatives are a peculiar bunch. We thrive on creativity and imagination, yet we often find ourselves stuck in a never-ending cycle of procrastination and self-doubt. Writer's block isn't always some external force forcing us to stop in our tracks. In fact–most of the time, it's self-inflicted.
The Myth of Constant Productivity In our hyper-connected, always gotta be active, hustle-and-bustle world, we've come to believe that constant productivity is the key to success. We fill our schedules to the brim. We do this to our children too, with activity after activity. What if I told you that creativity THRIVES in stillness?
Let Your Mind Wander One of the most effective ways to overcome writer's block is to let yourself be idle. It may sound counterintuitive, but taking a step back, allowing yourself to breathe, can work wonders. And it's not just in writing - anytime you're feeling drained or stuck.
You don’t need to ever get to the place of a blank page or screen. Before it happens learn how to let your mind wander. Do NOTHING.
I don’t mean be lazy but allow your brain some down time. Suggestions - go for a walk, meditate, color, put on your favorite quiet music, sit on the front porch and watch cars go by, or the cows. Let your mind wander without any specific purpose. You'll be surprised at how many creative ideas start to flow when you're not actively searching for them.
Writer’s Block – The Myth Broken The next time you find yourself staring at a blank page, remember that writer's block may be a byproduct of our own constant busyness. Embrace the stillness. It's in those moments of idleness that your creativity can truly shine.
This form of being idle – is a positive change, and works for other areas of your life. It allows you to stop, breath and take in all the positive and meaningful moments around you. For children, it allows them to learn through imagination and creativity.
There Is a Time For Chaos Too
Another valuable lesson is to create in chaos (what we call a crappy first draft) and edit in stillness. When you're in the initial stages of writing, let your thoughts run wild. Don't worry about structure, grammar, or perfection. Just write. Then, let it rest for a bit. Edit your work with a clear and focused mind. You'll find that this two-step approach can lead to more creative and polished writing.
I always encourage my clients to write without fear – let the words fly out, and never ever edit while you’re in this state.
The answer to WRITER'S BLOCK - let your mind wander. The answer to WRITING create during chaos.