Writer’s block: a dreaded, unavoidable phenomenon of the writing world.
Luckily, through many years of enduring writer’s block myself, I have come up with five unorthodox ways to get myself out of the frustrating rut of not being able to find the right words.
1. Bath crayons
As odd as it may sound, trust me, these are a life saver. If you’re anything like me, in the shower is where inspiration strikes the most. Anytime an idea comes to you, just jot it down on the wall. It will be easily erased later with water. Try these bath crayons from Munchkin, or for those do-it-yourself people, try these non-toxic ones from Mama Instincts.
2. View art
If you find yourself unable to generate ideas, try viewing some art. One of my best fiction pieces centers entirely around this picture. Take a trip to the local art museum or check out some pieces from aspiring artists on deviantart.com. Beauty can be the ultimate writing inspiration if you let it.
3. Clean up your work space
Did you know that the cleanliness of your work space can affect the quality of your work? Sometimes clutter in our physical environment can result in clutter in our minds. Keep only the essentials on your desk and be sure that the room is clean and organized. Check out these 10 tips on optimizing your work space from Time Management Ninja.
4. Write about not knowing what to write about
This may not be your best work, but it will get you warmed up for the real thing. At the least it will get the idea of having writer’s block out of your mind and allow you to move past the psychological notion of being “stuck.”
5. Brainstorm
Set a timer for two minutes. On a piece of paper, write every random thought, word, or topic that comes to your mind. If an idea hasn’t come to you after the two minutes, look through your list and pick one item. Free-write about it for ten minutes. This process is very simple, but very effective as well.
If you find yourself stuck in the never ending cycle of writer’s block, utilize these five tips. The outcome might amaze you.
Good luck and happy creating!
Sage Advice 