Comments on: 4 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

By: Dee Relyea

Dee Relyea — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:59:40 +0000

Thank you all for your comments. I find your suggestions to be helpful to me personally. Elizabeth, your technique sounds a lot like Mind Mapping which is a wonderful tool for creative brainstorming and it enable the right and left sides of the brain to be engaged simultaneously. Bradley, I’d forgotten the Zen Theory of Change, thanks for the reminder. It is definitely applicable here.

By: Bradley Foster

Bradley Foster — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:47:07 +0000

I’m a coach who has worked with many artists suffering from creative blocks. All of these tips are fine for those who are temporarily stuck. What I find with those who have been blocked for years is more deeply rooted in their belief system. Often the inner critic has taken over and stops them from even trying to do something creative. If you have been stuck for a long time and helpful tips seem like trying to put a fire out with a thimble of water then I suggest you seek out someone who can help you see how you are getting in your own way. Something for all of us to think about is the Zen Theory of Change:
“I free myself, not by trying to free myself, but by simply noticing how I am imprisoning myself in the very moment in which I am imprisoning myself.”
Feel free to substitute imprisoning myself for blocking myself.
Bradley Foster

By: Elizabeth Trew

Elizabeth Trew — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:53:06 +0000

Toronto writer Paul Lima, author of “The Six-figure Freelancer: How to Find Price and Manage Corporate Writing Assignments” recommends a process called clustering or brainstorming as a pre-writing activity, rather than staring at your keyboard and blank screen for inspiration.

Clustering is a word association exercise he recommends after doing interviews and taking notes.

It enables you to put to paper what you know about a topic before you begin to write about it. He says it helps you to get your knowledge down on paper and reduces the time spent pondering about a subject and leafing through your notes.

Here is a brief summary on how to cluster:
1. Write a keyword or phrase in the middle of the paper.
2. Draw a circle around it.
3. Draw a dash from the circle.
4. Write the first word or phrase associated with the keyword.
5. Circle that word or phrase.
6. Draw a dash from that new word or phrase.
7. Write down the next word or phrase that comes to mind.
8. Circle it.
9. Repeat these steps.

When you run out of word associations, return to the keyword, draw a line from it, write down the next word or phrase that comes to mind and continue the process outlined above. Keep doing this. Work quickly and put down everything that comes to mind.

Paul says drawing the lines and circles sparks the creative side of the brain. I totally agree.

For more information about clustering, Paul suggests reading the book “Writing the Natural Way,” by Dr. Gabriele Rico. (www.gabrielerico.com)

Hope this helps! I know it helps me when I’m stuck.

By: Chris Franklin

Chris Franklin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:41:20 +0000

I forget where I heard this recommendation, but it was something to the effect of: “write on what you are emotionally keyed up about if you are having a block”

Of course, whether this advice works for blogs with a specific content focus is probably a different story. I guess it depends on whether writers of those blogs can get themselves keyed-up on a subject that falls within the blogs’ foci

By: Rahul Trivedi

Rahul Trivedi — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:31:32 +0000

Dee Relyea – I agree with you.
Definitely when things are not working fine, we should try to find the root cause. Once root cause is known then one can work to solve those issues.
But if one is not in state to analyze the situation, they should take a break. Once in good state, then we would be able to track the cause.

Your article will really help. Thanks