Checklist for Overcoming Writer’s Block
Do you ever have those writing days when no matter how hard you try, nothing works? No matter how much you know about a topic or the time you spend researching it, you simply can’t seem to get the words to flow on page like it does in your brain.
Today was one of those days.
Thankfully, this doesn’t happen often but when it does, I try stream of consciousness writing so I can write down all that I can think of and sort out the order and details later. But I noticed this doesn’t work every time, so I referred to PR Daily’s tips on how to mitigate writing-related anxiety.
One of the reasons my writing game was off is because I was not following my writing ritual. While working from home I normally sit at a cleared desk next to a window to let the natural lighting come in, but on this overcast monsoon day I forgot to open my windows and was using the fluorescent lamps which often give me a headache. After drawing the curtains and putting away notes from other tasks from the day, I was able to knock out the article in no time.
This of course won’t be such an easy fix every time I get writer’s block, but it does remind me to think about the little things that matter while writing. Here’s a quick writing checklist to help you get focused faster:
- Check your surroundings
Are you in your ideal writing area? Make sure you have a decent amount of light, no distractions such as a cluttered desk or neighbors with loud music.
- Be sure you are informed
Do you know what you’re talking about? If not, it’s okay to do more research and take time to understand what you are writing and how you want the message to be delivered.
- Take a time out
If everything is in place to start writing but your brain still isn’t there yet, take a mental break for 5 minutes to clear your mind. This usually helps me relax and gather my thoughts, but if you need longer than 5 minutes, work on a completely different task and come back to it later.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
