Overcoming Writer's Block

A lot of people ask me how I overcome writer's block, so I thought I would write a blog about it.

Writer's block...we've all suffered from this horrible affliction in some form or another. The truth is, the biggest cause of writer's block is FEAR. Fear of writing garbage. The fear that we have nothing of importance to say. The fear that no one will ever want to read what we write. Don't be afraid. That's what editing is for.

That being said, it's not always as simple as telling yourself not to be afraid. Let's be honest, sometimes our worst enemy is our own mind, and it can be extremely hard to fight our way out of whatever hole our mind digs us into. So just how do we fight writer's block? My advice? Don't. Rather than trying to force new ideas into your already overflowing brain, take the opposite approach. Clear your mind completely. Chances are, it is already filled with fear and you can't fill an already overflowing cup.

So here are a few tips and tricks I have picked up along the way to help you clear your mind and forget those pesky fears.

Take a nice long shower

It may sound simple, but a nice long, hot shower is great for clearing the mind and easing those fears. I have had some of my best ideas while daydreaming in the shower. Allow yourself to relax and enjoy the feeling of the hot water washing over your. You will find your mind will automatically begin to wander, and you will be surprised how readily the ideas will manifest.

Do a boring and repetitive chore

Let's face it, our mind's will do anything to escape the boring reality of a repetitive chore, and daydreaming is the favored means of escape. There have been times that I have sat, staring at my computer for what felt like hours with no progress. Yet within minutes of starting to wash the dishes, or even worse, ironing (Is there anything worse?) my mind is brimming with new ideas. So while doing the housework may be the last thing you feel like doing, the good news is, you will probably only have to do it for a few minutes before your mind plots out your next entire scene, and you will have an excuse to drop the chores and go back to writing. Don't feel guilty about stopping halfway through the job. Get those ideas written down! The dishes, and yes unfortunately even the ironing, will be waiting for you when you are done.

Go for a walk

Going for a nice long walk, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine can be a big help. Get that vitamin D into you, soak it all up. It not only clears the mind, but gets the blood pumping as well, and you will automatically feel more motivated and creative. I use the voice recorder on my phone to record any ideas I come up with along the way. 

Have Sex

Yes, you did read that right, sex! I am aware this may seem crazy, but I promise you, it works! The huge release of endorphins is great for clearing the mind and can quite often lead to one of those 'ah-ha!' moments that we as writers, crave.

Lose your s***

That's right, I'm not only giving you permission to throw a tantrum that would put a three year old to shame, I am encouraging it! Let's face it, writer's block is infuriating. So rant and rave. Use language that would make a sailor blush. Do whatever it takes to let it all out. Then, take a deep breath, compose yourself, and let the ideas flow.

Get the hell outta there

Do you always write in the same place? Don't! If you are suffering from writers block, get out. Go somewhere different. The library, a coffee shop, the park, the beach, anywhere that isn't your usual place. A change of scenery can make a world of difference.

And if all else fails, try this simple writing task...

Grab a notebook and pen, set a timer for 10 minutes and just start writing. Write the first thought that comes to your mind. It could be as simple as what you are going to cook for tea. It starts with a single thought that then sends your mind off on a tangent to a bunch of other random thoughts with no real connection. At the end of the 10 minutes, you end up with a bunch of words and sentences that make absolutely no sense. But it helps create a flow in your mind, and gets those creative juices flowing. 

The best thing you can do for writer's block is not let it get you down. The more you focus on the fact that you have writer's block, the worse it gets. The most important thing is to just keep writing. At the end of the day, if you just keep writing, eventually you will find some gems among the dirt. 

- K. A. Rieder