No, I’m not saying that you can get beyond writer’s block in 5 minutes. But if you spend five minutes figuring out why you have it? Then you’ll know which of these methods to try.
So far this year, I’ve written 6 contracted books. I’ve rewritten 4 of them. I’m about to write #7. I’ve also written one picture book and am about done with another. And I’m drafting a novel.
Given this schedule, I know what my problem is when I can’t write. I’m tired. Physically and quite likely mentally. I need to apply technique #2. I need to do something creative or fun and recharge.
But earlier in the year before I met all these deadlines, I couldn’t get the novel outlined. It just wasn’t happening. I finally realized that it was because I was intimidated. I’m good at nonfiction. Fiction? Not so much. Instead of facing the blank page when it was time to draft a scene, a copied a paragraph from the outline. Ta-da! The page is no longer blank! Goofy? Yes, but the word started to flow.
Solution #3. That’s what I need to employ when I’ve been writing but something just feels off. I take a break and fold laundry or walk. Exciting things like that. I think about the project. And very often it becomes clear that I’ve written myself into a corner. I need to take a new direction.
When you get blocked, spend a few minutes noodling over your schedule, your project, and your emotions. Once you know where you stand, you’ll have a better chance of getting past that wall.
–SueBE
