In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


Seven Simple Strategies for Overcoming Writer's Block RIGHT NOW!

Copyright (c) 2008-2023

I used to think that writer’s block was just another word for procrastination. When someone whined about being blocked I assumed it was because they had ignored the cardinal rule of writing—in order to get anything done, you’ve got to put your butt in the chair and do the time.

I’d never really experienced writer’s block until I wrote my big book on coaching. The first few chapters came easily. Then nothing came. I’d have weeks where I wrote and weeks where I beat my head on the desk. I was stuck—hopelessly, impossibly, undeniably stuck. But, I had a deadline to meet with my publisher. I needed to free the words and my spirit and get the book done.

Here are some of the tools that I used to get that book written faster than any other book I’d written before. My clients have used these tools to successfully get unstuck—without having to resort to beating their heads against their desks!

Tool 1: Get Some Distance

Step away from the problematic chapter (or letter or article) you are working on—right now! Get space, get perspective, get a massage! We cannot solve problems when we are tired or burned out. Take a break and do something totally different. Allow your subconscious mind time to work out a solution while you work or play at something less sticky.

In the book The Breakout Principle by Herbert Benson and William Proctor, the authors suggest that breakout solutions appear when we leave a big problem behind and do something repetitive like needlepoint, tennis, or walking. Often in the midst of these repetitive exercises, the solution will magically appear! Amazing!

I wrote the book Welcome Forward: A Field Guide for Global Travelers with my friend Susan Lang in 11 days (9 days of writing and 2 days of editing). One of the keys to being able to deliver good copy day after day was my daily walk. After writing all morning, I’d have lunch and then head out for an afternoon walk. I always returned with the morning’s problems solved and a slew of new ideas for the next day’s work. (And, by the way, moderate physical activity—like walking—increases cognitive capacity by driving more blood and oxygen to the brain. According to the research, people who walk are smarter than people who don’t. Wow! If you take a walk you can both overcome writer’s block and get smarter!)

Tool 2: Location, Location, Location!

Michael Gelb, author of How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci, says, “Almost no one claims to get their best ideas at work.” Well, duh! We’ve all been there—sitting at our desks, staring at the screen, hoping that the third can of caffeinated soda might do the trick or vowing to play just one more game of solitaire before we get back to writing that report!

Studies confirm Gelb’s hypothesis: our best ideas come in bed, bath, and on the bus. In other words: while lazing around, lingering between sleep and waking; near water; or on a moving vehicle.

Next time you feel stuck with your writing, change your location. Find a coffee shop, a bench in a park, or even a beach blanket to work on. Here’s where some famous writers have worked:

  • Mark Twain wrote his books in a gazebo.
  • Thriller writer Sheldon Rusch wrote most of his first novel, For Edgar, in a Starbucks.
  • L. Frank Baum wrote many of the Oz books at the Hotel del Coronado, looking out at the Pacific Ocean.

  • Tool 3: Work Around the Block

    I once worked with a student who was having a difficult time completing papers. When she got stuck, she would abandon the project and take a nap or surf the net. We worked out a strategy that supported her in making progress toward finishing the paper when she couldn’t write. She looked over her list of small steps that needed to happen before the project could be completed and highlighted all of the steps that were different from writing: research, creating a bibliography, completing an interview and fact checking. She agreed that the next time she got stuck with writing, she would work on one of these other tasks. Doing that relieved her writing anxiety and, when she came back to the writing several hours later, she was able to do the work.

    Next time you’re blocked, dig into another task related to your writing project. Edit a previous chapter, create the resource list, or do research. Sometimes in the middle of editing or researching, the block will break and you will know what you need to write next.

    Tool 4: Write What You Know

    When I interviewed Dr. Caroline Silby, author of Games Girls Play: Understanding and Guiding Young Female Athletes from St. Martin’s Press, she confessed that she does not define herself as a writer. When I asked her what she managed to do to write a book, she said she focused on writing what she knew. Good advice!

    When you get stuck, ask yourself: What do I know? Write your answer. Keep asking and answering that question until you have written down all that you know. Afterwards, you can rearrange the parts so that they sound good!

    Tool 5: Mind Map

    When I face a challenging chapter or article, I mind map. I write the topic in the center of a large piece of paper. Radiating from the word, like spokes on a bicycle wheel, I write categories of thought: stories, images, themes, examples, facts, statistics, and so forth. By the time I get all of my ideas on paper, I have my answer. The chapter structure emerges organically from the mind map.

    I used this process when I was working on my new Web site. I used it to outline every chapter of my book, A Generous Presence. I also use it when I have a difficult life decision to make. Mind-mapping works because the process mirrors our thinking process—radiant instead of linear. Try it.

    Tool 6: Get Help!

    “I can do it myself!” I must hear that phrase a hundred times a day from my young daughter. It doesn’t matter what the chore—putting on shoes, getting a drink, washing her hands—she wants to remind me that she is more capable than I give her credit for. Still, she still yells, “I need help!” from time to time, too. No matter how big we get, we all need help.

    When we get stuck writing, we can't always see why we are stuck and we often cannot see the way out of the mess. Another person's point of view can move you toward solving the situation. Here are some suggestions for getting outside help:

  • Research. If you’re stuck on how to do something—like how to write a query letter or structure a book or what kind of tone a business letter should have—often the solution can be in seeing how someone else solved the problem. When in doubt, look it up!
  • Get a second opinion. When I got stuck writing that coaching book, I asked friends what they’d most like to read about. They gave me a list of topics and freed me from my block. When a client got stuck writing his book proposal, he had me read it with an “agent’s eye”. As an outsider, I could point out the places in his proposal where he needed to add more information. Block solved! Find a trusted colleague or friend to look at your work and point out the places where they’d like to hear more.
  • Create a research and development team. My colleague Susan Lang and I were able to write the book, Welcome Forward in less than two weeks because we spent the first three days of the process with a group of experts. Our research and development team gave us all of the information and anecdotes we needed to create a good product. Since then, I’ve used research and development teams to write other books, create a new business and navigate difficult life changes. I’ve seen my clients make use of them to solve budget crises, confront conflict, and practice visioning.

  • Tool 7: Write Anything!

    When my children were little, I learned that the more they slept, the more they slept. It works the same with writing. If you are feeling blocked or scared, write something. Write anything. Because, the more you write, the more you write. Here are some ideas:

  • Do morning pages—three unruly pages about whatever pops into your head.
  • Write about your future dreams and goals with the help of Henriette Ann Klauser’s book, Write it Down, Make it Happen.
  • Do a writing exercise. The Teacher’s Corner (http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/) offers helpful daily writing prompts.




  • About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
    Right Now! Coach Rochelle Melander supports people in writing to transform their lives and businesses. If you’re ready to establish credibility, make more money, and market your work by writing a book, blog, or Web site, get your free subscription to her Write Now! Tips Ezine at http://www.rightnowcoach.com

    VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
    Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

    Tell our authors what you think about their article.



    Top-Level Category: Writing and Speaking Articles

    10 Most Recent Articles Written by Rochelle Melander

    Taming the Monkey Mind
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2009-07-22 | Word Count: 630 | Page Views: 4577 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 1.92
    What happens in your brain when you try to write? My clients report a number of distractions and doubts. Listen in....

    Stop the Anxiety! A Quick Guide for Overcoming Panic Attacks
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2009-07-15 | Word Count: 1130 | Page Views: 3968 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.63
    Learn tools to overcome panic attacks.

    Why Write? How Writing Heals
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2009-07-08 | Word Count: 820 | Page Views: 3843 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.36
    Learn how you can heal your life through journaling.

    Clean Your Office and Get Back Six Weeks of Time!
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2009-07-07 | Word Count: 514 | Page Views: 3720 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.07
    How to organize your office to gain time and be more productive.

    How to Write Your Book in a Month
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2008-12-09 | Word Count: 1122 | Page Views: 4532 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.40
    How to complete a writing project in a month.

    Be It Resolved: Reviewing the Year and Making Resolutions That Work
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2008-12-02 | Word Count: 845 | Page Views: 3811 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.25
    How to learn from this year and then make New Year's resolutions that work.

    The Write Gift: How to Make a Gift They'll Treasure
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2008-12-01 | Word Count: 1181 | Page Views: 3743 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
    How to make a memorable holiday gift by writing memories, quotes, and questions.

    Get Instant Credibility!
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2008-11-13 | Word Count: 723 | Page Views: 4007 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.75
    Get instant credibility by reading and recommending the work of great thinkers and writers in your field.

    All of Author's Articles on this site:

    Most Recent "Writing And Speaking" Articles

    How To Inspire Yourself To Write Articles Others Will Want To Read
    Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2013-07-16 | Word Count: 937 | Page Views: 7370 | Votes: 30 | Rating: 2.10
    Anyone engaged in writing articles for offline publications or online business has occasionally struggled with the question of "What to write?" This article documents the methods this writer uses to find inspiration and processes this writer uses to create articles people love to read.

    Book Authors: How To Sell More Books And Get Your Publisher Active
    Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2013-06-27 | Word Count: 1871 | Page Views: 57833 | Votes: 45 | Rating: 3.40
    It is an unfortunate reality that most people who write books believe that their publisher will always put their best foot forward, to promote their book. In the real world, it does not quite work that way.

    Eliminate This Word From Your Ads Now
    Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-01-08 | Word Count: 244 | Page Views: 4398 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.80
    I'm about to show you a way to make your copy flow better. And it's probably one of the easiest steps that you could ever take to improve your copy.

    Taming the Monkey Mind
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2009-07-22 | Word Count: 630 | Page Views: 4577 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 1.92
    What happens in your brain when you try to write? My clients report a number of distractions and doubts. Listen in....

    Retirement Is the Perfect Time to Fulfill Your Cherished Dream of Writing
    Written by: Charles Jacobs | Distributed: 2009-07-14 | Word Count: 1105 | Page Views: 4759 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 1.92
    Retirees are particularly qualified to fulfill their dreams of writing. They can call on years of life and work experience. Don't succumb to the myth that only a chosen few can see their words in print. You can do it too, but it is essential to think your project through and complete the research necessary to create quality content, whether your choice is fiction or nonfiction.

    Why Write? How Writing Heals
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2009-07-08 | Word Count: 820 | Page Views: 3843 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.36
    Learn how you can heal your life through journaling.

    Resume Writing - Can Software Make A Difference?
    Written by: David Alan Carter | Distributed: 2008-12-18 | Word Count: 563 | Page Views: 5508 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.78
    A resume builder (i.e., resume software) is simply an interactive tool to help you craft your own resume. If you can compose a straightforward sentence and follow step-by-step instructions, you can write a professional-looking resume yourself - with help from a good resume builder. But how do you find a good one?

    How to Write Your Book in a Month
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2008-12-09 | Word Count: 1122 | Page Views: 4532 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.40
    How to complete a writing project in a month.

    Get Instant Credibility!
    Written by: Rochelle Melander | Distributed: 2008-11-13 | Word Count: 723 | Page Views: 4007 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.75
    Get instant credibility by reading and recommending the work of great thinkers and writers in your field.

    Discover Secrets to Gain Fortunes Eliminating Writer's Block, Forever!
    Written by: Dan Lok | Distributed: 2008-05-22 | Word Count: 606 | Page Views: 5255 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.24
    Book publishing, information publishing, however it's called. It can create a wealth of fortune for you. However, what most people understand about publishing means they have to do something big. They have to be really knowledgeable about the subject they want to publish. They had to be real good with writing.

    Most Viewed "Writing And Speaking" Articles

    Book Authors: How To Sell More Books And Get Your Publisher Active
    Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2013-06-27 | Word Count: 1871 | Page Views: 57833 | Votes: 45 | Rating: 3.40
    It is an unfortunate reality that most people who write books believe that their publisher will always put their best foot forward, to promote their book. In the real world, it does not quite work that way.

    How To Inspire Yourself To Write Articles Others Will Want To Read
    Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2013-07-16 | Word Count: 937 | Page Views: 7370 | Votes: 30 | Rating: 2.10
    Anyone engaged in writing articles for offline publications or online business has occasionally struggled with the question of "What to write?" This article documents the methods this writer uses to find inspiration and processes this writer uses to create articles people love to read.

    Have You Tried Writing Your Own Biography?
    Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success | Distributed: 2006-09-29 | Word Count: 430 | Page Views: 7046 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.55
    I had no idea how difficult it is to be articulate, concise and yet be informative about key facets of ones life.

    John Carlton: The Most Respected Copywriter in the World Wide Web
    Written by: Steven Gerber | Distributed: 2006-12-06 | Word Count: 582 | Page Views: 7029 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.22
    If you have your own business, then the internet is one of the most useful tools that you can use today. It can literally increase your cash flow, and multiply your customer base if you know how to take advantage of the power of the internet.

    Gary Albert: An Account of a Renowned Copywriter
    Written by: Steven Gerber | Distributed: 2006-11-24 | Word Count: 559 | Page Views: 6406 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.50
    In the line of copywriting industry, only a few can be considered to have effective hands. Not all can write as compelling as those who have mastered the art because of natural talent and through experience.

    Self-Promotion Writing Tips for Companies
    Written by: Tammy M. Ratcliff | Distributed: 2008-01-08 | Word Count: 704 | Page Views: 6068 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.44
    One of the best ways for companies to "get their name out there" is through self-promotion. This is a little different than straight up advertising and usually more effective.

    Web Copywriter: What It Takes To Be One
    Written by: Steven Gerber | Distributed: 2006-11-17 | Word Count: 586 | Page Views: 6040 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.60
    There are a lot of people who wants to make money in the internet by being a web copywriter. If you are one of these people who want to get in to the action of copywriting for profit, you should know how it's done and how you can be successful in the field.

    Copywriting Selling Secret #2 - 12 Magic Words
    Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2007-11-21 | Word Count: 200 | Page Views: 5659 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.71
    You're in for a real treat, because I am going to reveal a dozen words, which could change your life. Why? Because Yale University researches have identified the 12 most powerful words in the human language, proven to attract attention and stir emotion within their readers.

    Improve Your Writing Skills by Reading
    Written by: Dindy Robinson | Distributed: 2006-11-28 | Word Count: 335 | Page Views: 5533 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 1.86
    If you want to be a good writer, you need to READ. This may seem self-evident, but you would be amazed at how many writers I talk to who do not ever read.

    Effective Business Writing Tips for Professionals
    Written by: Sharif Khan | Distributed: 2007-11-07 | Word Count: 974 | Page Views: 5522 | Votes: 28 | Rating: 2.21
    Learn the art of effective business writing to help increase sales, improve business communications, win business proposals, generate new business leads, and develop better business letter writing and report writing skills.

    Highest Ranked "Writing And Speaking" Articles

    Book Authors: How To Sell More Books And Get Your Publisher Active
    Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2013-06-27 | Word Count: 1871 | Page Views: 57833 | Votes: 45 | Rating: 3.40
    It is an unfortunate reality that most people who write books believe that their publisher will always put their best foot forward, to promote their book. In the real world, it does not quite work that way.

    How to get read on the World Wide Web
    Written by: Rick Sloboda | Distributed: 2007-03-01 | Word Count: 387 | Page Views: 4623 | Votes: 23 | Rating: 3.39
    When writing web copy for the all-too-noisy World Wide Web, nothing is more powerful than simplicity. As a result, your web copy messages need to be clearly defined and concise.

    The Greatest Copywriting Skill And How to Learn It
    Written by: Dan Lok | Distributed: 2007-11-13 | Word Count: 705 | Page Views: 5245 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 3.30
    The most powerful skill you can have as a copywriter is getting inside your prospects head and talking to them in their language. When you do that, and do it well, they'll listen to you. When you're talking to them about their most pressing problems, their most dire needs, and deepest desires...in their language...magic happens.

    Are Web Users Dense?
    Written by: Rick Sloboda | Distributed: 2007-03-20 | Word Count: 313 | Page Views: 4200 | Votes: 32 | Rating: 3.28
    Clients and students frequently question why website writing should hover around a grade eight level.

    Writing for the Web:Nourish the Spider, Engage the Human
    Written by: Rick Sloboda | Distributed: 2006-11-28 | Word Count: 421 | Page Views: 4918 | Votes: 32 | Rating: 3.16
    When you're writing for the Web, you answer to two masters: humans and spiders. For your website to reach its full potential, your web writing needs to appeal to the emotional needs of your target audience as well as the logical needs of search engine spiders.

    Touch Your Prospect's Soul With Empathetic Copywriting
    Written by: Dan Lok | Distributed: 2007-11-06 | Word Count: 557 | Page Views: 5212 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 3.08
    It has often been said that copywriting is science and art. And the best copywriters will be the first to tell you it's an endeavor with a life-long education. You can set your copy apart, be unique, and find your own personal style by going within. Forget books for a while.

    Principles to Follow in Copy Writing
    Written by: Steven Gerber | Distributed: 2006-11-20 | Word Count: 561 | Page Views: 4714 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.89
    Children are fond of copying almost anything they see, especially if it's performed by an adult. Most kids now are familiar with the computer, and the many features of this amazing thing. But copying is not always interpreted with its literal meaning. There's this process which is considered an art in itself that only well- experienced and dedicated persons can do, and this is called...

    Do Your Readers Wish You Would Stop Writing Articles?
    Written by: Jadyn Benjamin | Distributed: 2007-01-08 | Word Count: 386 | Page Views: 5244 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 2.85
    For a lot of us, writing articles can be a chore. Even if you don't gnaw on your nails in the fear of breaking grammatical rules, the thought of churning out even one 700+ word article per week is probably daunting. But is there an alternative that is easier - and sometimes more effective - that you can use to gain free exposure from writing without having to write long articles?

    Stranger Than Fiction
    Written by: Sharif Khan | Distributed: 2007-02-13 | Word Count: 854 | Page Views: 4293 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.81
    Inspirational movie review exploring the film Stranger Than Fiction and the important questions it raises in how we live our lives.

    Resume Writing - Can Software Make A Difference?
    Written by: David Alan Carter | Distributed: 2008-12-18 | Word Count: 563 | Page Views: 5508 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.78
    A resume builder (i.e., resume software) is simply an interactive tool to help you craft your own resume. If you can compose a straightforward sentence and follow step-by-step instructions, you can write a professional-looking resume yourself - with help from a good resume builder. But how do you find a good one?











    Download an eBook today
     
    Directory Navigation
    Locate By Category:

    ALL Categories
    Arts & Crafts
    Arts & Entertainment
    Automotive
    Business - Offline
    Business - Online
    Career
    Computers
    Education
    Family
    Finance
    Food & Drink
    Health & Wellness
    Home & Garden
    Humor
    Internet
    Nature & Pets
    Real Estate
    Religion
    Self Improvement
    Shopping
    Society
    Sports & Recreation
    Technology
    Travel & Leisure
    Uncategorized
    World Events
    Writing & Speaking

    Change Number of Results:
    50 - 100 - 200 - 500
    Article Reprint Rights
    Creative Commons License

    This work is
    licensed under a
    Creative Commons
    License


    You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
    Article Statistics
    Word Count: 1453

    Total Views: 5151

    Article Rating: 2.45 of 5
    Votes Cast: 11

    More Articles By Author:



    Last Distribution Date:
    2008-11-17 12:12:00

    Internal ID: #6392





    All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

    All other material and images on this site are:
    Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com