Brief description:

Do you find writing difficult? Do you have any of the following problems?

• I have no ideas.

• I don’t know how to start.

• It takes me a long time to write one sentence.

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may have ‘writer’s block’. This describes the problem where we can write, but we don’t know what to write.

This short series of lessons suggests some techniques to overcome writer’s block. In this session we look at a number of techniques to unblock your mind and get it creative again.

KEY CONCEPT:

Understanding writer’s block and finding ways around it.

WHAT CAUSES WRITER’S BLOCK?

There might be a number of different causes of writer’s block. These may include:

• Fear or anxiety in another area of your life, such as money, relationships etc.

• Fear or anxiety that your writing is not good enough.

• Lack of inspiration: you may have run out of ideas.

• Part of the creative process: your brain might be subconsciously working on the ideas, but is not ready to produce them yet.

Try to understand what is causing your writer’s block. This will help you find an appropriate strategy to overcome it.

I FEEL ANXIOUS AND STRESSED? WHAT CAN I DO?

• Make a routine for your writing. See it as a ‘job’ and set yourself office hours when you sit down and write. Think of it as work, like building a house, but using words instead of bricks.

• Break a big project down into sections. Focus on one section at a time.

• Make sure that the place where you are writing is clean, tidy and comfortable.

• Use breathing techniques or stretching exercises to relax.

I AM AFRAID MY IDEAS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. WHAT CAN I DO?

The ‘just get on with it’ strategy can be useful here. This means that we stop worrying about the quality of what we produce. We select any aspect of the topic and just begin to write. Don’t worry about if it is good or bad – we can edit and improve it later. Once you have started, you will probably find that better ideas begin to come. Look at the lesson on quick writing for one way to do this.

WHAT STRATEGIES CAN I USE TO RECOVER MY INSPIRATION?

• You may have no inspiration because the topic does not seem interesting to you. Try to relate the topic to you personally. For example, if the topic is pollution, think about the situation in your neighbourhood. If the topic is transport, think about problems you have on the journey to work. These ideas may not be suitable to include in your final writing, but they will help you think about the topic.

• You may have difficulty because you don’t have a clear understanding of the requirements. Talk to your tutor or boss to clarify exactly what is expected. Talk through your ideas with a friend to help you clarify and organize them.

• You may not be thinking widely enough. Try using brainstorming or mind mapping to think of ideas.

NOTHING WORKS. WHAT CAN I DO?

Maybe your brain is not ready yet. Take a break. Do something else. Go for a walk or a drive. This may give your brain space to process ideas. Remember, J K Rowling thought of Harry Potter on a train journey.

Perhaps you need a break from your routine. J K Rowling started writing Harry Potter in coffee shops. Try writing in a different place to usual.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

1. Bookmark this page now.

2. Next time you get stuck writing, revisit this page, select a strategy and try it out.

Go on….try it!!!

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).