When In Doubt And Can’t Write, Here’s Help
Here’s a way out of writers block
Here’s a way out of writers block
I know what you’re probably thinking. What could he possibly want to tell me that I haven’t already tried? Well, there are not a million ways to overcome writers block, but there are ways, and they work.
Just like every other creative field, artists, singers, songwriters, producers, painters, and creators in general usually experience a period of uncertainty, absence of idea or simply a break in the flow of creative juices. It happens, not just to you, but to everyone out there. Believe me or not, it happens to everyone at one point in their journey or another.
It does not mean you’re not good enough, or a fraud in your field of creativity. Creative blocks, in this case, writers block, usually arise as a result of external influences on our creative minds. As much as you may try to focus on writing and creating stories and pieces to inspire or impart knowledge, you cannot completely dissociate yourself from the happenings in your life.
This awareness to the activities outside of your creative space is what makes you human in the first place. Don’t run away from it, embrace it and learn how to manage it to achieve the results you desire.
For writers like myself, it is impossible to blank out other aspects of your life completely, as such, there are times when you know what to write about, but fail to muster the energy to do so. Sometimes, you may even begin the piece, but since your mind is at several other places all at once, you easily lose focus and eventually the inspiration to complete your story. Other times, you may not have any zeal to write at all.
In all honesty, that’s okay. It’s okay because it’s all part of the process. Thats why you’re here anyway, to learn new ways to handle writers block and overcome it. Let’s dive right in.
Handle Your Mental And Emotional Wellbeing With Care
A lot of people fail to realize that your creativity largely revolves around your state of mind at the time of creating. Your mental state is key to writing or creating.
As much as you find it difficult to write when your eyes hurt, when you’re dealing with a migraine or simply hungry, so does the state of your mind and heart influence what your write about or how well you write about it. Check up on your mind, your mental and emotional wellbeing needs all the care it can receive. As I write this, I have to pause to eat because I can’t die of hunger because I want to write.
Stay True To Your Purpose
Sometimes, I lack any zeal to write. Either because I feel medium isn’t paying me enough, or because the article feedback is below my expectation. But you know what keeps me going? You. How do I mean? Relax and read on.
I revisit why I began writing in the first place, why I call myself a writer. As much as I deserve to earn a lot from writing, making money wasn’t the reason I wrote my first piece, or the second, or the one that followed. I did so because I wanted to share my story and experiences, to impact lives and prevent people from making the mistakes I made in the past.
So, whenever I lose interest or feel no urge to write because I haven’t received my alert for the week or month, I remind myself of why I hoped on this path. I make sure I’m not losing touch and stay the course. You should try this too.
See Writing From Another Writer’s Perspective
This exact one has helped me personally. Quite recently and I’m grateful to her for not giving up too (I mentioned her in my previous story). You could want to write about a certain topic, but be unsure of where to begin, what to write next, or how to complete your piece.
Reading stories and pieces from other writers in your niche can help revive your zeal, or even guide you on the direction for your next article. As you explore reading works from other writers, you’ll most likely discover new ways to share your story, topics you never knew could be of interest, and ways you can improve your writing skills.
Review Your Previous Works
Like I mentioned earlier, no matter how well or often you write, anyone can have creative/writers block. Revisiting a previous piece is another way of reminding yourself of how much of an amazing writer you are.
Read them from a readers perspective, see what interests you, go through your comments, see what you wrote next and how it imparted your readers and your growth. The core of your next piece can come from a much older story you wrote. Find it.
You might need to do some cleaning, revamping, and clearing to be able to write. It might be one thing you need to sort, one emotion you need to deal with, one trauma you need to heal from, one person you need to forgive, or a phase you need to forget.
In all that you do, stay true to your purpose and write on. You’ve got this.
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