Top 10 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block by Richard McMunn

Welcome to guest author Richard McMunn. Enjoy his 10 tips to overcoming writer’s block, one of my favorite topics! ( Had to write a book on this topic, I love it so much!)

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Here are some tips to help break down that seemingly permanent wall that many writers sometimes find themselves faced with, a.k.a. the “writers block.”

1. A writer’s block is like a strange wall that becomes stronger and stronger the more you try to break it, especially from the same position and same angle. Try approaching the problem from a new angle and look at it in a different light. For instance, if you’ve been sitting slumped at your desk for too long, stand up, go for a walk or go and play a sport!

2. A writer’s block is often the problem of not being able to find an opening. A good way to get your juices flowing is to start with something completely unrelated. Take a hypothetical scenario and imagine a conversation between two people, or between yourself and a friend, and start penning it down, purely for fun. A little hypothetical exercise can help get your juices flowing again.

3. Take the pressure off writing. It is often the pressure that causes the block to become stronger and difficult to penetrate. Try to forget about writing for a while and just take things as they come. This may be difficult if you have tight deadlines to meet, but if it’s possible to forget about writing for a while, do it.

4. Always being prepared to jot down every good idea or thought is also a form of pressure. If you are in the habit of taking notes every time an idea strikes, stop doing that for a while. Let your ideas flow and do not worry about forgetting them. Good ideas have a way of sticking around, and popping back up again! Even if they don’t, you’re bound to come up with new ones.

5. Sometimes it just helps to think of writing in terms of work, even physical work, rather than creative expression. A meticulous attitude towards writing can help at times. See if this works for you. Start with something and methodically try to craft it. Try this especially if you have deadlines to meet and cannot afford to wait.

6. Writers can get burnt out easily. After all, writing is often a matter of inspiration, and inspiration is not something that can be brought about by force. If you have been working on project after project – what you might really need is a break.

7. Think about why you’re not able to overcome the dry spell. It may be because you’re preoccupied with thoughts about something else. Perhaps you’re worried or stressed about something. Address these issues; they rarely go away on their own.

8. Remember the target audience. Writers often forget the audience they are meant to write for and get caught up in thinking about how other people will perceive their writing. For instance, a children’s book writer may think about what their editor will think about their writing. Try to think only about your audience and try to speak to them.

9. A writer’s block is very common among most writers. Sometimes things just seem to stop and nothing seems to come out of your mind. Try not to be too hard on yourself, because it is very likely to pass on its own. Trying too hard to get going can be counterproductive.

10. Lastly, try to have fun while writing. Just write whatever comes to mind, and see where that takes you. Take away all the boundaries and constraints and let the words pour out.

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Richard McMunn is a writer for How2become; a leading career and recruitment specialist for public sector careers. For the last 8 years How2become has helped numerous people prepare for and pass tough recruitment processes and assessment centres in order to secure their dream job. You can also connect with How2become on Google Plus.