Can't write? Learn to deal with writer's block

Sometime before the deadline or amidst a writing project, your mind may stop aiding you; you can't think of anything to write but feel blank. That is what "writer's block" is! It is a modern notion coined by Dr Edmund Bergler in 1947.

Let's explore how you can deal with writer's block and let your creativity run smooth.

Give yourself a break and unnerve the stress

If you constantly pressurise yourself and think about nothing but producing content, your creativity might shrink and occupy your mind with stress. Going out for a walk or hiking; taking a break of a day or two are essential for refreshing your mind. You can also opt for meditation or practice mindfulness to relax your mind. While wandering like a cloud amidst contemplating the beauty of nature, your distinct thoughts may sprout from within.

Let your subconscious thought flow through your pen

Penning down whatever comes to your mind is an effective way to come up with innovative ideas. Julie Cameron's 'morning pages' is a good way of writing down random thoughts. Morning pages are not high art, and there is no wrong way of doing it. "It's not even writing", but taking your pen in the morning and scribbling three pages of anything which crosses your mind.

Write write write!

Start writing without the fear of being incorrect, as you can always go over and edit your work. When you start writing about something, you might often infer that your writing doesn't make any sense and heading to be off-topic. If you stop writing and push yourself hard to write only precise points from the start, you might not get anywhere. Even if your writing doesn't make sense initially, eventually, you will get a hold of it, and the piece will come together.

Peep through the window of your favourite author

If you feel stuck and can't think of anything, reading the books of your favourite author or glancing through your favourite part in a book can always aid you in framing your thoughts and continue with your writing.

Talk to a friend

Discuss with a friend about what you are trying to convey in your writing and encourage them to give honest reviews. Discussion with your friend can help you have a clear goal about the purpose of your writing and assist you in gaining a myriad of ideas. It's better to speak to a friend who has some knowledge regarding the topic you are writing about. Your friend might also critique your writing as an audience and suggest some ways to improve it.

Write something else too!

Suppose you are writing about the main character of your plot, and suddenly you have run out of ideas to shape it. Stop writing about that current project for the time being and start writing about something else. You may try freelancing, as editing someone else's work can help you generate new ideas. While editing another work or writing about another topic, the subconscious mind may eventually take you to your main project and help you write better. 

Be positive

Don't think of the term writer's block and believe you can always write something. Even random scribbling can lead you to your desired ideas. Hence, staying positive is one of the prerequisites for producing a good piece.

How about beauty sleep?

8 hours of sleep is not just an ally of your skin but your mind too! You can hardly think of anything if you are sleep deprived. A sufficient amount of sleep says farewell to the writer's block and help you kick start your day with fresh ideas.