Writer’s block. The two dreaded words that keep me up at night. As a writer there’s not much worse than needing to meet a deadline and feeling as if you have hit a nice brick wall. Sure, I might be a bit dramatic. But if you have ever experienced the wonder that is writer’s block, I know you’ll agree it’s a pest.
Considering I write for a living it’s important that I’m able to put words to paper anytime I’m asked. I don’t just mean any random words that swim around my brain- I’m talking fluffy adjectives, attention-grabbing intros, never-take-your-eyes-off-the-page content. I won’t even lie to you, sometimes I really struggle; I stare at my computer screen for what feels like eternity.
Have you ever had a super important deadline approaching and all you can think of is something terribly irrelevant? My personal favorite is when I’m trying to develop a story and all that’s rattling around in my brain is whether Ross and Rachel were really on a break.
I hope you never fall victim to writer’s block, but chances are that you will. Below are a few tricks I have up my sleeve (consider yourself special, I don’t share these with just anyone) that tend to help me fight through the writer’s block.
Background noise. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a household that always had the TV on, maybe it’s because I am wired for multitasking. But having the TV on while I‘m trying to write has kick-started some of my best work. For me, it’s Criminal Minds or Law & Order: SVU. Both of these shows I have seen so many times I don’t even have to pay attention to them anymore- it gives me background noise without distracting me from my work.
Eat a snack. At times I find that I absolutely cannot work when I am the slightest bit hungry. This is something I have in common with a small child. But if a few handfuls of peanut butter M&M’s is what it takes to get my brain cranking again, I will sacrifice my diet for the sake of my work. (HA, jokes on you if you actually believe I diet.)
Get out of the workspace. Sometimes something as simple as a change of scenery can make a world of difference. After sitting at my desk for three hours staring at the same cars in the parking lot, my brain physically can’t anymore. By moving to a different room or location you are changing up the noise, climate, sights, smells- keep your senses interactive and your brain will follow suit.
I can’t promise you that these tricks will help you write a masterpiece, because honestly I’m still trying to figure that trick out for myself. But hopefully they will assist in the writing process should writer’s block knock on your door. Good luck and happy writing!