To all you writing types out there, what do you do when you get writer’s block?
I mean the kind when you know what you need to write, who you’re writing for and even how you need to write it. You just don’t. Have. The. Words.
I’ve had writer’s block for four days now. My 2,700 article for work is due wednesday. Eep! I’ve done all my interviews, researched all my facts, written out my plan (I am a big believer in merticulous planning before setting fingers to the keyboard), procrastinated in every way imaginable – including writing this post and sending two superfluous texts to the husband. I’ve gone for a walk, had a coffee, read other articles on the same subject for inspiration, took my research home on the train (can office air conditioning stifle the brain cells?).
Still, the words won’t come.
It’s very frustrating. Any journos or fellow features writers out there with tips?
August 10th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I blog. I find writing something trivial and meaningless can help get the creative juices flowing.
But I don’t know if that works for everybody.
Sean Cummins, the marketing guy who came up with the Best Job in the World campaign, reckons the best way to overcome writers block is to develop a routine of creativity.
I find too that having a bit of an “idea jam” with other people, talking about whatever the topic is, is a good way to open up new angles and to bring whatever the big points are to front and centre.
Oh, and I walk around and make myself a cup of coffee.
August 10th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Clearly most of my techniques are an amalgam of things you’ve tried already.
August 10th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
nathan, coincidentally I commissioned sean c this morning to write a review for our mag. freaky! What industry do you work in and what do you do?
Those things help for me too. but sadly today I am stuck
August 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Hi Soph,
I’ve read often (and it seems to work for me) that writer’s block is often just ‘typing-block’. Just. Start. Writing.
If you have to write “I am a fish” 400 times, do it – eventually your brain gets the message that you should be writing and lets you start.
Then you can delete all the stuff about the fish.
August 10th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I work as a PR person for a tourism and economic development marketing body. But I’m a journalist at heart. I can completely relate to the writers block thing…
August 10th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
whenever I get writers block, I just change coffee shops
August 10th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Yeah, just start writing. Type anything! I should take my own advice sometimes…
Also, don’t fret about your intro. Start with the things you know you want to say, and you can do the intro later.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:22 am
thanks all. sophie I think you’re right – intros always trip me up. I think because I try too hard to be clever…