Overcoming writer’s block
For a public relations practitioner, few images are as daunting as staring at a blank computer screen. With a deadline looming and your way with words on an untimely break, writer’s block can make you feel as if typing the date will be the last thing you ever write.
Athletes call this sudden and unexpected loss of natural ability a ’slump’. Whether you consider writer’s block to be a creative slump or just a dry spell, regaining your confidence quickly is crucial.
The causes of writer’s block vary. You might feel as if your writing is becoming too repetitive, you’re simply not in the mood, you might feel intimidated by the project, or you feel stressed because you don’t know where to begin. A solution to the problem starts by thinking of ’s block as nothing more than a temporary obstacle.
A variety of exercises, both mental and physical, can help jumpstart your keyboard. Finding a remedy is often a case of trial and error. Once you find something that works, the removal of the obstacle can often release a deluge of words and ideas.
Here are a few common sense exercises you can use when writer’s block strikes, including several proactive exercises that you can try when you?re feeling blocked or just looking for an inspirational boost.
- Write something
Get busy and write something . . . anything. Start with the middle, the ending or just one sentence for your project. The mere act of typing will help you relax and give you content to work with. Even if you think what you wrote is terrible, a series of revisions will usually spring to mind in quick succession. If you find yourself becoming bogged down midstream, be prepared to switch to another section of your writing. Good writing does not have to travel from “A” to “Z.” - Work out the problem
Never underestimate the power of exercise to help you relax and re-energize. Take a break, get some fresh air and go for a walk. Working up a good sweat at the gym helps clear your head. Getting away from your computer and focusing on something else is often all it takes to get back on track. - Eliminate early edits
Editing every sentence immediately after you write it might be tempting, but this habit could be slowing you down and creating an artificial impasse. If you’re in a writing mood, keep going until you either come to the end or reach a natural break. Get all your thoughts down on paper, then go back and edit ruthlessly. - Simplify
Take a few moments and envision yourself writing for an audience with no knowledge of our topic or for someone that holds a different opinion. Express your thoughts clearly and methodically. Approach your writing task as if you were preparing for a debate. This helps you to identify the key elements and re-establishes your sense of purpose. - Multi-task
Some writers prefer to work exclusively on one project until completion, while others find working simultaneously on several projects yields better results. The change of scenery that comes from jumping between projects may help keep you inspired. Try both methods and learn what style works best for you. - Talk to yourself
Writing what you are thinking can often unlock what you really want to say. Talk it out in your head and then type word for word what your inner voice is saying. This helps you get past a writer’s inherent need to impress others with clever wording. You can wordsmith the statements later. - Cluster diagram
Make a cluster diagram of all of your ideas, making sure to group them accordingly. Determine which statements will add something to your current topic and file the rest away for another project. Quickly jot everything down while it’s fresh in your mind but save the re-writes for the actual working copy. - Read
A trip to the library or bookstore exposes you to a universe of new words. Wander the aisles and pick out an assortment of news, trade and entertainment magazines, but not the publications you normally read. Find a chair and flip through the pages, paying special attention to leads, headlines, conclusions and the writer’s style. - Notebook
Some of our best ideas arrive unexpectedly. When you feel an idea coming on try calling your answering machine from a cell phone to record a great tagline or lead. Inspiration strikes in odd places, so keeping a notebook handy at all times is vital. If you can’t use your stroke of genius today, file it away for another time. - Cross-training
Your writing muscles need to occasionally cross train to stay strong. Try writing about something unrelated to your current task like op-eds and features for newspapers. As a bonus, the basic writing fundamentals required for traditional journalism are great refresher courses in spelling, grammar, brevity and editing. - Word games
An excellent exercise for unlocking spontaneity is posting comments on interactive message boards. I use one NHL board and one advertising board in particular. Voice some strong opinions and wait to respond to the inevitable comments that follow. This may sound unusual, but this technique can help you practice thinking on your feet. It’s also a great way to sharpen your writing reflexes during your off hours and provides instant feedback as to how an audience perceives your communication skills.
The first step in overcoming writer’s block is to relax. Every writer, without exception, goes through the occasional dry spell. You must remember to be more systematic, resourceful and proactive when looking for solutions.
Teaching yourself how to go through, over or around whatever obstacle is holding you back is just part of the game for a skilled writer.
Alan D. Major is a graduate of the Corporate Communications program at Sheridan Institute. He is also a published journalist. While searching for full-time opportunities in public relations or advertising, Alan is currently working as a freelance copywriter. He can be reached at bitter.man@sympatico.ca.
