A Blank Page: How to Beat Writer's Block
force yourself to write. I don't mean work on a real project, just free associate, write about a past event, or even write about having writer's block. You may also want to start keeping a journal or a dream diary to keep yourself in the habit of writing every day. Or try some writing exercises. Sometimes the act of writing, even if you aren't writing anything publishable, is enough to get the ideas flowing again.
If you cannot make yourself write, take a break. It can be a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks. Before you begin, set a date and time at which you will start writing again. During that time, do not write or worry about not being able to return to writing. Read books, do things you enjoy, focus on other things in your life. You might find that you return to writing with a fresh perspective and that your writer's block has disappeared.
When you are unable to even think of an idea to write about, instead of staring at a black page, do things which may spark new ideas. Go to the park, the mall, or another public place and people watch. Take a notebook and write down your observations as well as anything else that comes to mind. When you see a person or family that interests you, imagine what their "story" is. Who are they? Why are they there? What kind of past do they have? You might trigger a character or story idea.
Another way to come up with character ideas is to buy a book or visit a web site of baby names. Reading the meanings of names might spark an idea or you can pick a name at random and brainstorm with it. You may also want to read articles on The most important thing when experiencing writer's block is to relax. Remember, you are not alone and you will get past it. If you get uptight about it, it will get worse. Try some of the above suggestions, meditate, and/or talk with other writers to learn their experiences and strategies. Almost every writer gets writer's block, what's important is how you handle it. Don't let writer's block control you. Instead, take charge and overcome it. You *can* do it.
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