Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, at one time or another, anyone who strings words together will likely encounter some form of writer's block. For most people, writer's block isn't as devastating as it was for classic writers like Melville, Fitzgerald and many other famous authors in the last century. If you suffer from writer's block, you're in good company.
Fortunately, you don't have to stay blocked. Here are three techniques for overcoming this writer's bane.
1. Free write
Set a timer for five minutes. That much time may seem interminable at first, especially when you think you have nothing to say. Almost everyone feels this way, so don't panic. The technique can work for YOU, too. Begin by writing anything - hence the term "free" writing. Whatever comes to mind is all you need to go with, including:
"I don't have any idea what to write.""This feels stupid.""I must be the world's worst writer."
Allow your mind to drift into a stream-of-consciousness state where nothing has to mean anything or connect to other thoughts. Let your fingers -- if you're typing -- or your hand -- if you're using a pen -- be led by this stream of consciousness directly from your brain.
For more suggestions of what to type to prime the pump try:
"The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.""Four score and seven years ago..."and as much of the Gettysburg Address you remember.
If you still have more minutes left on the timer, try remembering:
The Lord's Prayer, The Apostles' Creed, The BeatitudesAnything you ever memorized in school
Chances are, something you write will spark an idea. It might only be a phrase that sets your imagination soaring. Then go with that.
2. Change your mindset.
Think of a blank page as a pristine canvas for you to paint upon with any color, any subject matter, any tool. The sky's the limit. No restrictions, no rules. You cannot write anything that is wrong, since you get to make it up as you go along, plagiarize, quote or invent. You're not writing for publication here. You're just trying to get the words flowing, kind of like priming an old-fashioned pump by pouring in some water first.
If it helps, look at a painting or a serigraph print. Imagine what the artist thought when faced with a blank canvas. Where did he or she start? With a paper sketch? With charcoal directly on the canvas to lay out the perspective? How can this help you in planning what to write? Well, if nothing else, maybe the painting will inspire you! The point is to ask yourself questions, because your mind is programmed to answer them. It's how we're wired. Our minds will come up with answers, even if they are illogical, impractical or incorrect.
Remember, you can write in any style, any voice, any viewpoint. Your story can be set in any time, any place, any genre.
3. Limit Yourself
Ah, but do you have too many choices on a totally blank canvas? Then limit yourself. And if you start to rebel against restriction, that's all right. If removing a restriction will fuel your creative self, then remove it. But don't do it too quickly. You may find a way around restriction that will be a more interesting, or even brilliant, approach.
Limit yourself through form
How about a sonnet -- talk about your restrictive format! Or something more accessible, like a limerick?
There once was a woman named Shelly
Who had such a lovely, flat belly,
She was envied by all
'Til she had a great "fall,"
For she started to "pig out" on jelly.
You see, it needn't be good. The idea is to just get started writing something.
Limit yourself through genre
Maybe you decide on a genre first. That's good, because this defines your audience, and writing is futile without an audience, unless you are keeping a journal. That's a record of your thoughts, meant for you alone. (NOTE: Journaling is also another way to break through a blockage.)
Limit yourself by writing about one character
This can be a protagonist, antagonist, secondary character, sidekick, what have you. Write a biographical sketch, including brief family tree, childhood, education or lack thereof, profession, etc. That should get your creativity flowing. Describe an incident that stands out in the character's mind, perhaps even one that defines the person s/he has become.
Limit yourself with a time period / era
It should be one you know something about, and one which resonates with emotion. Possible Baby Boomer eras could be the time of Beatniks, Hippies, Psychedelic Sixties, Viet Nam, Civil Rights Movement, Sexual Revolution, Women's Movement, Green Movement, Folk era, Rock era, post-Beatles, etc.
Not a Boomer? Not a problem. Wax nostalgic about your childhood -- traumas and delicious memories alike -- about the good old days (whenever they were), and focus on societal conflicts -- anything that divided people and their opinions. If you're a history buff, pick your favorite epoch. Whatever time period you choose, start writing!
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