Writer’s Block

Writing. 

I swear that word has the power to change the world.

But then there are days when I’d much rather share a space with a spider. And note, I do everything in my power to avoid those like the plague. 

I’ve never truly believed Writer’s block to be what so many people define it as. As though something is standing in the way of their creativity, like a wall or barrier. But, even the best of us come across something that prevents us from writing and that’s why I’ve compiled a list of my antiblockers. If you’ve ever worked in the medical field, you will catch my joke 😉 

1. Poetry. I LOVE poetry. You can usually tell when I’m in an off tone when I all of a sudden start spouting poetry at you. There are so many variations and to me, it’s the single most effective way to get my creative juices flowing again. 
2. Music. Ever heard a song that transports you to another time, memory, or dream? Sometimes music is the only way I get any of my daily word counts completed. 
3. Get out of the house! I’ve written some of my best pieces on the beach, at the park, or even on my front porch! 
4. Take a break. This one kind of ties into 3, but some days you just need to take a minute…or hour.
5. Meditation. This one is actually fairly new for me and I do wonder why it’s taken me so long to try it. I have an overactive imagination (hence why I write fiction primarily) and when I need an outlet to just settle the voices in my head, this is a great option. 
6. Read. I’m always surprised to learn of folks who don’t like to read. Hate to admit but one of my sisters was one of those people (Gasp)! Reading is amazing for the mind and not to mention it sparks new material! 
7. Push yourself. Those stories or articles aren’t going to write themselves! Everyone goes through rough patches but we can’t feel accomplished without a little challenge, right?
8. Try something new! Break out of your comfort zone, it may just surprise you! Remember poetry?
9. Reach out. Stuck on how to start or finish? Get an opinion from someone you trust or brainstorm with a buddy. 
10. Reflect. What inspired you to start this project? Was there an inciting event or conflict? What purpose did you see in the beginning that you’re having trouble seeing today? 

The list could go on but these are my top ten for conquering Writer’s Block. I mentioned earlier that I don’t truly believe in it so why have a list? 

I have a list because I DO believe we all get stuck or lost sometimes. The current project we’re working on may have lost its spark or maybe we just don’t remember why we needed to write it in the first place. Every word we put on a page is important and if we lose sight of that purpose, we may experience what others call Writer’s Block. 

See, the thing is, I view Writer’s Block as a necessity to test our endurance as writers. Without strong minds, we cannot bring to the table the best version of our work. Without the doubt, we cannot revise until we have perfection. We need to be tested to gain knowledge in this craft. Don’t view Writer’s Block as the enemy; see it as a friend.