Better Writing 101: Unblocking Writer's Block

Posted by Lima Al-Azzeh Sep 11, 2008

Here are some tips on how to unblock writer's block and where to find the inspiration you need for your next article.

Eavesdropping: Perhaps not the noblest means of getting inspiration, but it works nonetheless. Go out for a walk through the park or hunker down in a warm coffee shop with a steaming cup of cappuccino and simply let the conversations flow around you. What better way is there to find out what everyone is talking about?

Free Writing: Sometimes all a writer needs is to get those writer muscles flexed. Sit down with a pen and paper or your trusty laptop, whatever medium works for you, and just write, write, write. You may be surprised at what spills out of your head.

Follow the Google brick road: The wonders of the world wide web can help stimulate ideas. Enter a topical word into a Google search and keep clicking on links that may seem interesting. Most often you will come across some random article/ image/ video that would make a great discussion topic. Let your mouse be your guide, and search your way to your next great article.

Keep yourself informed: Yes, this may seem like an obvious thing to do but the news changes everyday. Read a magazine, a newspaper, or simply watch tv. With so much information going around you’re bound to be struck by an idea or two.

Kill Your Darlings: Killing your darlings doesn’t consist of an act of murder, it’s merely a way of letting go. This famous, often misattributed, quote stems from Sir Aruthur Quiller-Couch’s perception that oftentimes writers get stuck on a lofty turn of phrase or idea that they find particularly clever, but that in reality may not work for the story/ article as a whole. Be bold! Put the idea away for another time, another project, and move past it.

Do something entirely unrelated to writing: If the ideas aren’t flowing through your blood then relax. Maybe you just need a much-needed break. Put the pen down; step away from the computer! Do something simple that you enjoy: exercise, make yourself a snack, read a good book, or even take a nap. Nothing is worse than writing that sounds forced and rushed!