1. Recognize that you are blocked. (There may be some crankiness involved)
2. Accept that you are blocked. (There are some really good reasons you are blocked)
3. Do some forgiveness work on some area of your life. (This will release some feel good feelings that will remind you you are not always cranky and blocked even if there are good reasons for it)
4. Get a haircut. (There’s no need to look bad while you have writer’s block…especially if the block goes on for months)
4. Ask someone for help. (Preferably someone who helps you get in touch with with your protective inner selves AND your creative inner selves). Thanks, Janelle.
5. Just write anything and get going again. (Don’t worry about having an editorial calendar. Don’t worry about being organized. Don’t worry about being profound. Don’t worry about the blog picture. Just do it. You can upload a photo later.)
6. Press PUBLISH.
7. Do something else immediately so you can’t think about what you just did. (I had a conversation with the woman cleaning our house.)
Hi Susan. This is my first time visiting your site. I appreciate the subject, especially since I will soon be creating my own blog. I’m going to remind myself to “just write anything and get going!” Thanks!
Welcome to my site, Lori! Normally I have an easy time blogging but for some reason I just got a bit stuck this year…I had to reach out for some assistance and decide to get back in the swing:) Enjoy your new blog! It’s actually really fun to blog…as long as you keep going!
Love the tips, they make me smile and work for any kind of block. Off to get a haircut 😉
🙂
I loved the simplicity (and humor) in this post. Writer’s block, for me, always shows up in the space of “should.” I “should be writing something other than what wants to come through me or I should be “producing” something. What has helped me most is to just attend to my writing practice knowing that sometimes something useful will emerge and sometimes the process is the product. Thank you, Susan.
Yes, Sue Ann, I can feel that resistance in my own body as you say “should be writing something other than what wants to come through me”. The mind interfering with inspiration. Yup…that’s definitely been me for the past while. I can see that the process of writing is the thing that can help with working through these times. Thank you:)
Susan, gorgeous pic of you! Ahhh, those blocks..and the avoidance techniques I have to not write for an audience. Thanks for the nudge to move past the shoulds and deliberate distractions.
Thanks, Dana:) We all have those avoidance techniques…too bad they work…:)
Writer’s block is funny because it is so psychological. I have no problem producing something for my weekly blog, it feels sometimes that I have enough ideas to write for the next ten years. However, when it then comes to guest blogging or having to produce a second post for the week for another site – I freeze! I guess I think of my blog as talking to a friend (I know my audience pretty well) and it might be that guest blogging is like introducing myself to a new group. Thanks, I think I just solved my own writers block!
I love that, Heather! Talking to a friend…my audience is still relatively new to me so that is part of my reason for the long-lasting block this time round. I think you’ve just helped me sort one more bit to my struggle. Thank you.
I love your sense of humor, Susan! Writing is something like a wobbly bicycle for me. Sometimes I just have to get back on it, and push through. I usually edit my first paragraph or throw it out completely as it always has those wobbles, but it does help me to get going! Great tips!
Thanks, Julia! I love the bicycle analogy…yes, wobbly but keep pushing through…once you’re on the road again you can just keep going.
hahahaha! Oh, how I can relate to the dreaded Writer’s Block. When I am there, I think of a mantra that I learned years ago from a screenwriting guru: “A*# in chair.” Really. That’s all there is to it. Once I sit my tushie down, I’m fine. The block is all in the procrastination. Easier said then done, right? :-p
I kinda like that one:) In my case, I actually did need to reach out for help…hopefully…the chair technique will work now!
OK, so don’t take myself so seriously. Point taken, Susan!
Though that chair thing is good – I tend to start spinning around doing things I “should” do, but when I actually sit down, it flows. Or doesn’t. In which case, #5 comes in handy.
You know…I don’t have a spinning chair…maybe THAT’s what I need. 🙂
You HAD me at ‘Get a Haircut!’. Seriously, these are great tips, love it 🙂
such useful tips, susan – thank you. i especially like #6. i have the nike slogan “just do it” framed and hanging on my wall to remind me to go ahead and DO whatever it is i’m struggling not to. there are many times when i have to just hit that “publish” button and trust that it will be okay. and usually? it is.
haha, get a haircut! Love that…it may just work 🙂 Really great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Makes total sense 🙂 I only write when I am in the mood for it. So love your tip no 5. then 6. I might have no hair left if I got a haircut every time, so some other form of self care and indulgence, right?!!
Well…yes, Farah, it’s true…it’s possible to become bald with this approach. So it’s okay with me if you substitute some other lovely indulgence:)
Susan, this is great! Love your lighthearted approach to a problem that I can give wayyy too much energy to at times. I may have to print this and pin near my desk!