“Quickly Overcoming Writers Block”
|
What is writer's block?
Well, I just can't think of a single darn thing to say. Oh well, I'm outta here!
Sound familiar? No! Oh, get real! We've all experienced this phenomenon when we absolutely have to write something, particularly on deadline. I'm talking about. . . . .uh, I can't think of what the word is . . . oh, yes, it's on the tip of my tongue . . . it's:
WRITER'S BLOCK!!!!
Whew! I feel better just getting that out of my head and onto the page!
Writer's block is the patron demon of the blank page. You may think you know EXACTLY what you're going to write, but as soon as that evil white screen appears before you, your mind suddenly goes completely blank. I'm not talking about Zen meditation stare-at-the-wall-until-enlightenment-hits kind of blank.
I'm talking about sweat trickling down the back of your neck, anguish and panic and suffering kind of blank. The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer's block gets.
Having said that, let me say it again. "The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer's block gets." Now, can you figure out what might possibly be causing this horrible plunge into speechlessness?
The answer is obvious: FEAR! You are terrified of that blank page. You are terrified you have absolutely nothing of value to say. You are afraid of the fear of writer's block itself!
It doesn’t necessarily matter if you've done a decade of research and all you have to do is string sentences you can repeat in your sleep together into coherent paragraphs. Writer's block can strike anyone at any time. Based in fear, it raises our doubts about our own self-worth, but it's sneaky. It's writer's block, after all, so it doesn't just come and let you know that.
No, it makes you feel like an idiot who just had your frontal lobes removed through your sinuses. If you dared to put forth words into the greater world, they would surely come out as gibberish!
Let's try and be rational with this irrational demon. Let's make a list of what might possibly be beneath this terrible and terrifying condition.
1. Perfectionism. You must absolutely produce a masterpiece of literature straight off in the first draft. Otherwise, you qualify as a complete failure.
2. Editing instead of composing. There's your monkey-mind sitting on your shoulder, yelling as soon as you type "I was born?," no, not that, that's wrong! That's stupid! Correct correct correct correct?
3. Self-consciousness. How can you think, let alone write, when all you can manage to do is pry the fingers of writer's block away from your throat enough so you can gasp in a few shallow breaths? You're not focusing on what you're trying to write, your focusing on those gnarly fingers around your windpipe.
4. Can't get started. It's always the first sentence that's the hardest. As writers, we all know how EXTREMELY important the first sentence is. It must be brilliant! It must be unique! It must hook your reader's from the start! There's no way we can get into writing the piece until we get past this impossible first sentence.
5. Shattered concentration. You're cat is sick. You suspect your mate is cheating on you. Your electricity might be turned off any second. You have a crush on the local UPS deliveryman. You have a dinner party planned for your in-laws. You . . . Need I say more. How can you possibly concentrate with all this mental clutter?
6. Procrastination. It's your favorite hobby. It's your soul mate. It’s the reason you've knitted 60 argyle sweaters or made 300 bookcases in your garage workshop. It's the reason you never run out of Brie.
FACE IT! IT’S ONE OF THE REASONS YOU HAVE WRITER'S BLOCK!
How to Overcome Writer's Block
Okay. I can hear that herd of you running away from this article as fast as you can. Absurd! you huff. Never in a million years, you fume. Writer's block is absolutely, undeniably, scientifically proven to be impossible to overcome.
Oh, just get over it! Well, I guess it's not that easy. So try to sit down for just a few minutes and listen. All you have to do is listen ? you don't have to actually write a single word.
Ah, there you all are again. I am beginning to make you out now that the cloud of dust is settling.
I am here to tell you that WRITER'S BLOCK CAN BE OVERCOME.
Please, remain seated.
There are ways to trick this nasty demon. Pick one, pick several, and give them a try. Soon, before you even have a chance for your heartbeat to accelerate, guess what? You're writing.
Here are some tried and true methods of overcoming writer's block:
1. Be prepared. The only thing to fear is fear itself. (I know, that's a clich?but as soon as you start writing, feel free to improve on it.) If you spend some time mulling over your project before you actually sit down to write, you may be able to circumvent the worst of the crippling panic.
2. Forget perfectionism. No one ever writes a masterpiece in the first draft. Don't put any expectations on your writing at all! In fact, tell yourself you're going to write absolute garbage, and then give yourself permission to happily stink up your writing room.
3. Compose instead of editing. Never, never write your first draft with your monkey-mind sitting on your shoulder making snide editorial comments. Composing is a magical process. It surpasses the conscious mind by galaxies. It's even incomprehensible to the conscious, editorial, monkey-mind. So prepare an ambush. Sit down at your computer or your desk. Take a deep breath and blow out all your thoughts. Let your finger hover over your keyboard or pick up your pen. And then pull a fake: appear to be about to begin to write, but instead, using your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, flick that little annoying ugly monkey back into the barrel of laughs it came from. Then jump in ? quickly! Write, scribble, scream, howl, let everything loose, as long as you do it with a pen or your computer keyboard.
4. Forget the first sentence. You can sweat over that all-important one-liner when you've finished your piece. Skip it! Go for the middle or even the end. Start wherever you can. Chances are, when you read it over, the first line will be blinking its little neon lights right at you from the depths of your composition.
5. Concentration. This is a hard one. Life throws us so many curve balls. How about thinking about your writing time as a little vacation from all those annoying worries. Banish them! Create a space, perhaps even a physical one, where nothing exists except the single present moment. If one of those irritating worries gets by you, stomp on it like you would an ugly bug!
6. Stop procrastinating. Write an outline. Keep your research notes within sight. Use someone else's writing to get going. Babble incoherently on paper or on the computer if you have to.
Just do it! (I know, I stole that line from somewhere). Tack up anything that could possibly help you to get going: notes, outlines, pictures of your grandmother. Put the cookie you will be allowed to eat when you finish your first draft within sight - but out of reach. Then pick up the same type of writing that you need to write, and read it. Then read it again. Soon, trust me, the fear will slowly fade away. As soon as it does, grab your keyboard - and get writing!
Try a local search of our site for your answers
Create your own profitable web site business … simple & fast!
HOME PAGE || About Us || Contact Us || Privacy Policy || Terms of Use || Entrepreneur Coaching || Business Entrepreneur Blog || Subscribe to Newsletter || Free Books & Business Manuals || Famous Quotes || Buy website business || Link Directory – add URL || Write your own eBook || Small business resources || Internet Business Resources || Business Resources || Business Entrepreneur resources || Affiliate Income Resources ||
|
Great Health, Wealth, Relationships and Overall Success! Become part of a group that has committed to a plan, a process, a blueprint and a commitment to inspect and improve their lives. The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan (including experts Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy) will help you do just that and become the person you desire to become. Visit: www.jimrohn.com today! |
=================================================
DISCLAIMER: The resources on this Small Business Entrepreneur site are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify Small Business Entrepreneur information provided in this Small Business Entrepreneur publication, neither the Small Business Entrepreneur author nor the Small Business Entrepreneur publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy. Any perceived slight of specific Small Business Entrepreneur people or organizations is unintentional. This Small Business Entrepreneur website and its Small Business Entrepreneur creators are not responsible for the Small Business Entrepreneur content of any Small Business Entrepreneur sites linked to.
The Small Business Entrepreneur contents are solely the opinion of the Small Business Entrepreneur author and should not be considered as a form of advice, direction and/or recommendation of any kind. If expert advice or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought. The Small Business Entrepreneur author and the Publisher assume no responsibility or liability and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied for any products or services mentioned, or any techniques or practices described. The Small Business Entrepreneur purchaser or Small Business Entrepreneur reader of this Small Business Entrepreneur publication assumes responsibility for the use of these Small Business Entrepreneur materials and Small Business Entrepreneur information. Neither the Small Business Entrepreneur author nor the Small Business Entrepreneur Publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any Small Business Entrepreneur purchaser or Small Business Entrepreneur reader of these materials.
Small Business Entrepreneur Site content description: If you just want to make your own website, or as a small business entrepreneur, even make a business website that is profitable an drives traffic to your existing business, Strategic Services make your own website resources and directory links will make it fast, simple for you to do with cheap internet hosting. This page has information to make your own website for fun or make a business website as a business entrepreneur wanting a home based business opportunity that earns you a top affiliate income with a company that provides the internet business entrepreneur with everything you need to make your own website as well as cheap internet hosting.
Small Business Entrepreneur Subject matter on the Small Business Entrepreneur site includes Small Business Entrepreneur information and directory links to topics on how to make your own website, how to make a business website, the best provider for quality cheap internet hosting, self help personal development training materials for business entrepreneur executive skills, home based business opportunity outline for internet home based business opportunity, and getting internet home work income business development, including how to start a small business, free sample business plan for home based business opportunity, small business web site design tips, and help for making your own website, with a free sample business plan template manual and other business resource for business entrepreneur who wants to make your own website or make a business website with cheap internet hosting. This directory also has a section on, human resource website with HR articles, free recruitment and career in consulting outlines, human resource articles, latest industry business news updates and other free business resources being loaded on the site every week.
=================================================
Back to Top of Small Business Entrepreneur page back to HOME PAGE
