Writer's Block: Three Ways To End It and Three More on How to Avoid It

The dreaded bane of a happy writer, writer's block attacks every writer from time to time. It is as unpredictable as the flu, and often more uncomfortable! Why it occurs can sometimes be a mystery. How to end it, however, is fairly simple and straightforward. These techniques will help a writer stop writer's block from paralyzing them, and avoid blocks in the future.

1. Always have multiple writing projects going on at the same time. Even if you are facing a deadline, or have a major project going, writer's block is best avoided by working on several projects at the same time, even if you only work on each for a little bit of time. The reason for this is that multiple projects allow many avenues of thought. If you get stumped on one project working on another can open avenues of thought again. Having another project also helps avoid frustration related to writer's block, reducing related stress and anxiety, both of which only tend to increase the tendency that a block will linger.

2. Leave the project alone for a while and take a mental break. Exercise, sports, or some type of physical activity releases endorphins that can stimulate brain activity and free up clogged avenues of thought. The simple act of taking a break, even a sedentary one, can also allow writers to relax and free our minds from excessive concentration on our subject. This alone can break the cycle of writer's block and allow free ideas to re-enter our minds.

3. Use an outline or organization system and work on different parts each time. This will allow you to work on one section if you get stuck on another. As you progress through a section it is easier to overcome being stuck somewhere else. In addition, an outline gives focus and direction for a writer and allows us to summarize ideas for a section or chapter. This prevents a block because the ideas are already formulated and expressed. From this point they need only be expanded upon and fleshed out.

To avoid writer's block follow these simple strategies:

1. Write only about something that has a strong appeal for you. Passion produces power and that power can easily be used to produce a solid piece of writing that is filled with strong voice and attitude. Generally speaking, this is some of the best writing to read because it tends to be captivating and exciting.

2. If you are feeling self-conscious about your writing and are unsure if you can handle a particular topic sit down with a few friends and have a casual discussion. Keep note of the best ideas and use them to formulate an outline or summary. This will give you confidence that you know what you are doing and will generate ideas that will strengthen your piece.

3. Plan properly for a project. Use an outline. Break the project into segments and flesh out each segment so that the project is "written" before actual paragraphs are produced.

Writer's block is not a condition that just appears and stumps a writer. It is always a result of some issue that can be dealt with by employing strategies that avoid it. If it does happen, and it does to every writer at some point, using simple strategies that clear the mind and allow ideas to flow again will take care of it. Lack of proper preparation for a writing project is usually the biggest culprit, followed by a lack of familiarity with a concept. Using the above strategies will solve both issues and prevent writer's block from taking hold.

David A. Cleinman is the author of Principle Destiny, the historical fiction and action adventure novel chronicling the adventures of a determined Princess and her fight to save her family and kingdom from ruin. A free-lance writer and a business coach, he is currently residing in Florida with his wife and son. More information can be found on his blog.

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Top Three Skills Needed for Creative Writing

Are creative writing skills a learnt trait or are they a blessing one is born with? There has always been a lot of debate on this; and there will continue to be a lot of debate on this because everyone has a different opinion on this subject.

In my opinion, it is a bit of both. The skills needed in creative writing can be learnt and cultivated but there has to be some element of talent also existing. The available talent gets the necessary refinement and polish when it is enriched with development of fundamental skills constantly. Top three skills that enrich creative writing are -

1. Good Language Skills:
Good language skills are paramount for good writing. Language skills need to be developed continuously for having good hold over creative writing. An excellent way of developing the language skills is to make a habit of learning one or two new words every day and then using them in your regular communication verbal as well as written.

2. Good Thinking Skills:
Creative writing is the outcome of creative thoughts. Most people hardly pay any attention to their thoughts. But if you wish your writing skills to be enriched it is absolutely mandatory to monitor your thoughts and develop good creative thoughts. The way to do this is to develop your observation power. When you closely observe things you find that you create a deliberate gap in your involuntary thoughts and start having conscious thoughts, which have better and deeper meanings. Your observations get translated into creative thoughts, which in turn form strong foundation for your creative writing skill development.

3. Good Expression Skills:
Creative thoughts need to be translated on paper in order to reach others as creative writing. The process of doing this is through expression. Most people tend to get lost somewhere when they try to express their thoughts. The main reason for this is that there is a gap between their thoughts and their language. The best way to develop good expression skills is through writing short passages with just a few lines of thought so that you do not tend to get lost or diverted. A good way is to set a word count and then stay close to it. This way, if you have a habit to exaggerate or use lesser number of words, you will stay in better control. The idea is to remain as close as possible to the main line of thought.

Using mind maps is also a good idea. How to use mind maps shall be covered in greater detail in a later article.

Using these top three skills will definitely enrich your creative writing efforts.

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