Overcoming writers block: here are some suggestions to help you beat writer's block.
There is nothing more frustrating to a writer than the phenomenon known as writer's block. Almost every writer has faced this problem at one time or another. And if they haven't, they will. And while no one is immune, there are things you can do in advance to prepare for the eventual drought of ideas.
For starters, you should always carry a notebook and pen or pencil. You never know when the muse will bless you with an idea but you want to be ready. I've found that some of my best ideas come at the most unlikely times; driving somewhere, waiting for someone, even when I'm eating lunch at work. There's nothing worse than getting an idea and being unable to remember what it was later on. If you carry a notebook and pen you can quickly jot it down and set it aside to develop later when you have the time.
Another advantage to this technique is that you can gain a little distance from your idea. If when you come back to it, it still seems like a good idea, then go with it. You might find that an idea you first had no longer sounds good anymore. But just maybe it will lead you to something else.
Another technique to fight off writer's block would be doing writing exercises. There are a number of different exercises that can help get the creative juices flowing. One exercise is to make yourself write your own version of something you've read. Whether it's something you like or even something you hate, write your own version of something.
You should also read to write. By that I mean that whenever you read something you should be looking for possible tangents you can write about. What questions did you have when you read something? You can write something that answers those questions. Always ask yourself "what if?" while you read.
Brainstorming is another good exercise. Write down a single word in the center of a piece of paper. Now draw lines branching off for every word that the original word makes you think of. Follow each one of these lines as far as you can and see what new ideas develop.
Lastly, as cliché as it may sound, write about what you know. What do you do for fun? What do you like? What do you dislike? There is always a way to incorporate these things into your writing. Your hobbies, your experiences, however seemingly mundane, are all suitable topics.
Whatever it takes, when writer's block hits you must work through it. That's the only way to get past it. But if you plan ahead you can always have something on the back burner for those rainy days.
