Have you ever come down with a case of writer’s block? When you’re fresh out of words! Your mind’s a blank and so is the page. You can’t come up with another thing you can say. Small business owners who have to write articles, blog posts, ezines, website content, ebooks, and other info-products often get stuck when they have to write about themselves or their business. They’re just too close to the situation to put into words what they want to say to promote their business.

Sometimes they feel the pressure of deadlines or distractions are all around. What could be the cause of this common ailment and how can it be cured? Often the answer is FEAR! Entrepreneurs may be terrified that they have nothing of value to say, nothing that hasn’t already been said over and over. They feel uncomfortable boasting about their business or they fear their writing isn’t good enough for public viewing.

Are any of these familiar to you?

1. Perfectionism. You feel you must produce a masterpiece in the first draft. Otherwise, it’s delete, delete.

2. Editing not writing. Your judging mind is critiquing every incorrect word, spelling, or grammar error and not letting your creativity reign.

3. Self-consciousness. You find it hard to write about your business because it’s not right to brag. And anyway, you’re not a writer! Buy if you don’t promote your business who will?

4. Stuck getting started. It’s always the first sentence that’s the hardest. Or the headline or the title. You think it has to be brilliant to hook the reader from the start!

5. Distractions. You have to answer e-mails. The computer’s crashing. The phone’s ringing off the hook. You have a business to run so how can you be creative too?

6. Procrastination. It’s your favorite pastime and excuse. There’s always tomorrow, but there’ll be another excuse then too!

Can you really find the cure for a bad case of writer’s block? Only if you really want to. Test some of these methods for overcoming writer’s block:

1. Plan your project before you sit down to write. It gets your thoughts organized and you’ll be ready to go forward smoothly.

2. Write without expectation. No one writes a masterpiece the first time out. Give yourself permission to let the words and ideas flow out and do the edits later or hire a professional editor.

3. Get inspired. Close your eyes and envision your opening sentence. If it doesn’t come right away, skip ahead and go back when you’ve finished your piece. When you review it, the first sentence will become clearer or just pop out of your deeper thoughts. So will your title.

4. Plan your writing time. Close the door, turn off the phone, and keep an appointment with yourself to write. Set a goal to write a certain amount and don’t stop until you reach it. If you run out of time, immediately set your next appointment. If you can only spare 30 minutes instead of 2 hours, write at least one page. You can do it.

5. Visualize the end result. Imagine your name on the cover of your book. See your byline on the article. Get clear about your motivation and allow it to break through your blocks. Set up a regular accountability meeting with another blocked writer and cheer each other on. Plan a reward for each milestone!

Once you conquer writer’s block, remember what worked and repeat it if it strikes again. Bask in the glory of the finished piece and let that be your cure the next time you come down with a case of writer’s block. Of course, you can always hire a ghostwriter like me to do all your writing! Homework: Sit down and write for 5 minutes a day just letting ideas flow from your brain to your fingertips. Do this every day until you get over your writing blocks and fears.


- Andrea Glass

By Marige O’Brien, Copyright E2006

Writer’s block — that sudden, seemingly inexplicable inability to put words to paper — can strike any writer at any time. In fact, inexperienced writers suffer from it more often than they realize: they just don’t recognise it for what it is. They think the lack of confidence, motivation or experience is based on a far more serious problem. They’re half-right. What they don’t realize is, that IS writer’s block, or at least some of the symptoms of it. But they are right about it being more serious, because writer’s block IS serious. Fortunately, it’s also curable, too.

Writer’s block is that worm of doubt that creeps into the writer’s psyche, causing them to second-guess each word or thought they choose and to otherwise lose focus on their intent. The reason behind that loss is secondary, at least as far as defining writer’s block. What matters is that writing is hard enough. When self-doubt or self-consciousness come into play, it becomes impossible for anyone.

I know, having recently overcome yet another bout of it. In that case, it began when an innocent comment was made about my work. And it wasn’t even about my ability as a writer, but about my subject matter. Had I not dealt with writer’s block before, it might have been much more serious. Only experience allowed me to overcome it with relative ease. This time.

And, while there IS a distinct process for conquering writer’s block, the most important thing to appreciate is that it is much more than a mere “5 Quick Tips To…” system. Rather, it is a PROCESS, one that is unique to each person, as are the malady and the suffering. So, while the process can be explained, to describe it as “steps” only denigrates both those afflicted and the cure.

With that said, below is an outline for the process, which has worked successfully throughout each case of writer’s block.



RECOGNISE IT

We’ve all heard the cliche`, “recognizing the problem is half the battle.” In the case of writer’s block, this is especially true. BECAUSE it’s so elusive, BECAUSE it can be chalked up to so many other things, understanding that THIS, writer’s block, is the problem, really is the first step to overcoming it.

Who has writer’s block? Strictly speaking, just about anyone who thinks they can’t write and/or anyone who creates a mystic about writing and writers. Because anyone who can read and write CAN be a writer– maybe not a celebrity writer, but a competent writer, nonetheless. And, yes, a professional writer. Because writing is 90% skill/craft and only 10% imagination.



THE SOURCE

In almost every case, the demarcation of when the block began can be traced to a single instance. For some, it began with a casual comment or the opinion of a person the writer respects such as a teacher, friend or parent. For others, it’s a particular disappointment: Not getting a particular job, not getting into a preferred college, not finding an agent or winning a contest. There is an infamous story of one young writer who papered the walls of his room with rejection slips. That writer? Ernest Hemingway. And, anyone who has wallpapered a room knows– that’s a LOT of paper! Which leads to the third stage of the process:



ATTACK

Hemingway never allowed those opinions/happenstances to stop him. Was it arrogance? Or simply the need to write which outweighed his need to receive approval. Whatever the case, the important thing to understand is that we Choose HOW these incidents affect us. If this seems to fly in the face of logic — because, afterall, without acceptance, how can a writer ever succeed? — it should be mentioned here that, while opinions do affect us, they should never derail us. For example, suppose Hemingway had allowed one of those rejections (which often include comments, helpful and otherwise) to alter his determination. The world would be a much poorer place. But he kept on. Perhaps he understood one, universal writing truth: no, SINGLE opinion is that important. This is because READING is so subjective. Anyone who has put down a well-recommended book knows this. Even best-selling authors have their critics, just as anyone who reads has their preferred writers as well as writers they dislike. So find the instance that sparked the block and look at it objectively. Question the source, question your own expectations’ realism. Something about the incident unfairly popped the balloon of a your enthusiasm. Find it, break it down and question its until you gain perspective. And, yes, this type of introspection may take years.



VALIDITY

Writer’s block cannot exist in a vaccum. That is, if a wrtier doesn’t CARE about writing, there would be no block. It’s precisely because one cares that the block exists. While this may seem obvious, what is less apparent is understanding WHY the writer cares: because they want/need to write. Stop looking for validity elsewhere. There is validity enough in the simple desire/compulsion to write. Simply put: if you want to write, that’s enough.



BRIDGE THE GAP

Having established the problem, its source and found motivation in validity, all that remains is to overcome the actual block.



(Hah! Is THAT all!?) It’s true. Overcoming it CAN pose an extraordinary challenge. And, since this is an intensely personal challenge and dependent on the actual situation, all that can be said here is to work to find some reconciliation. For example, in my latest case of writer’s block, I realized that the comment was short-sighted and shallow since the commentator had only a vague understanding of the content to begin with. Realizing this, I managed to put it aside.

And, if the problem is mechanical (grammar, punctuation, etc.), recognize that and work on it. In all cases there is a solution. It’s just a matter of finding it.–mo


- Marige Obrien

What is writer’s block?

Everyone who has tried to write has experienced this phenomenon when we absolutely have to write something, particularly on deadline.

Writer’s block is the irrational (?) fear of the blank page. You may think you know EXACTLY what you’re going to write, but as soon as that blank screen appears, your mind suddenly goes completely blank. I’m not talking about the sound of one hand clapping kind of blank.

I’m talking about hot sweat , anguish and panic and suffering kind of blank. The tighter the deadline, the worse the torment of writer’s block gets.

Usually, the cause of the block is FEAR! You are terrified of that blank page. You are terrified that you have absolutely nothing of value to say. You are afraid of the fear of writer’s block itself! It’s a vicious cycle.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve done a lifetime of research and all you have to do is string sentences you can repeat in your sleep together into lucid paragraphs. Writer’s block can strike anyone at any time. It raises our doubts about our own self-worth.

Below is a list of what may possibly be causing this terrifying condition.

1. Perfectionism. You MUST produce masterpiece of writing in the first draft. Otherwise, you are a complete failure.

2. Editing rather than composing. There’s your little man sitting on your shoulder, yelling as soon as you type “In the beginning,” no, not that, that’s wrong! That’s stupid! You get the point.

3. Self-consciousness. How can you think, when you’re not focusing on what you’re trying to write, you’re focusing on your writing problem (or lack of).

4. Can’t get started. It’s always the first sentence that’s the hardest. As writers, we all know how VERY important the first sentence is. There’s no way we can get into writing the piece until we get past this impossible first sentence.

5. Broken concentration. You’re pet is ill. Your power might be turned off any minute. You have a crush on the Postman. How can you possibly concentrate with all this mental clutter?

6. Procrastination. It’s your favourite pastime. It’s your soul mate. It’s the reason you’ve knitted 60 woollen scarves or made 200 step ladders in your garage workshop.

How Can YOU Overcome Writer’s Block

At this point I hear 90% of you saying that writer’s block is absolutely, undeniably, scientifically proven to be impossible to overcome.

Get over it! Well, I guess it’s not that easy. So try to sit down for just a few minutes and take this in. All you have to do is listen and you don’t have to write a single word.

I am here to tell you that WRITER’S BLOCK CAN BE OVERCOME.

Here are some tried and true methods of overcoming writer’s block:

1. Be prepared. The only thing to fear is fear itself. If you spend some time think about your project before you sit down to write, you may be able to thwart the worst of the debilitating panic.

2. Forget perfectionism. No one ever writes a work of art in the first draft. Don’t put any expectations on your writing at all! In fact, tell yourself you’re going to write absolute garbage, and then give yourself permission to just dump your thoughts on the page.

3. Compose instead of editing. Never, never write your first draft with your little man sitting on your shoulder making cutting editorial comments. Just sit down at your computer or your desk. Take a deep breath and flick that little man off your shoulder. Write, scribble, scream, howl, let everything loose, as long as you do it with a pen or your computer keyboard.

4. Forget the first sentence. You can work on the all important firsts sentence later . Skip it! Go start at the middle or even the end. Start wherever you can. Chances are, when you read it over, the first line will be blinking its little neon lights right at you from the depths of your writing.

5. Concentration. This is a hard one. Try creating a space, perhaps even a physical one, where nothing exists except thesingle present moment. If one of those irritating worries gets by you, stomp on it like you would an ugly insect!

6. Stop procrastinating. Write an outline. Keep your research notes near by. Use someone else’s writing to get going. Rant and rave incoherently on paper or on the computer if you have to.

Just do it! (Where have I heard that before?). Tack up anything that could possibly help you to get going: notes, outlines, pictures of your cat. Put the reward you will allow yourself when you finish your first draft within sight but out of reach. Pick up the same type of writing that you need to write, and read it and re-read it. Soon, trust me, the fear will slowly fade away. As soon as it does, grab your keyboard and get writing!


- Cameron Johnson

You can find the writer’s block help you need in self-hypnosis. This strategy serves as a valuable guide that gets you past your blocked thinking patterns. Writers can benefit from looking into the subconscious minds as a support to overcome the blocker that is getting in the way of productivity. Your experience as a writer does not have to involve blocking your ideas and flow of language.

Hypnosis Creative Thinking

Hypnosis is a viable option for getting past the blocked feelings and thoughts. Part of this process relies on using your creativity to the max, allowing you to tap into your inner writer. The best resource for creative thought is the subconscious mind.

Your subconscious is valuable because it is the place of dreams and imagination. Your imaginative thoughts are often blocked with deep inner feelings of doubt and outward self-consciousness. This self-conscious state wrestles with the analytical obsession of failure and uncertainty.

Going with the Flow

As a writer, you have probably experienced the flow of language that pours onto the page when you are in the right state of mind. Many writers have used various approaches to get into the flow as writer’s block help. Some interventions were productive, and many of these productive approaches to help writer’s block involved the alpha state.

The alpha state is the state you are in when you are going with the flow of language. Your inner editor rests aside while you allow your thoughts to pour without force or effort. Consider inspiration techniques used by some of the most prolific writers.

Writer’s Block Help and the Unconscious

WB Yeats was one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century. His approach to creative thinking involved using candlelight and a trance-like state. The strategy is known as automatic writing. This free form of writing is a magnificent approach that is quite similar—if not identical to—self-hypnosis.

Automatic writing is no simple task. In fact, many writers are unable to accomplish this task because it requires them to write without stopping and without conscious thought. Many find this approach impossibly difficult because they are unable to use their subconscious mind. Hypnosis is a way to enter this realm, as did WB Yeats.

Steve G Jones, M. Ed offers a profoundly inspiring composition here – Writer’s Block Help – that can assist your imagination and flow of language.

Another excellent recording by legendary hypnotherapist, Duncan McColl found here – Hypnosis Creative Thinking – provides new insight into the creative process. Other inspiring selections are available here – Help Writer’s Block. Simply follow the links for more information.


- J Seymour