Writer’s block happens to the best of us. It typically comes about when you first sit down to start a post — the blank screen can be paralyzing.
Generally speaking, once you have actually started writing for a period of time, you will have the necessary momentum to continue. The key is in getting started. Here’s how you can galvanize yourself into action.
Plan Your Post
Often, writer’s block arises because you simply don’t have a good enough idea of what you are going to write about. You could have a topic idea in your head, but it may not yet be fully developed.
If you are struggling to write a post and haven’t actually planned it, my first recommendation would be that you create a plan (as discussed previously). Consider your target audience, your hook, and the problems and solutions you will explore. Build up a framework and the words should start flowing.
Whilst it is not always necessary to plan posts and carry out all of your research ahead of time, doing so can help to combat writer’s block.
Break it Down
Often, you can feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of a task. This course is a perfect example of the potential for such a scenario.
If I had sat down one morning and consciously decided that I was going to write a comprehensive course on freelance blogging, I probably would have given up before I had even started. But I didn’t do that. Instead, I started by planning it out. Then I started work on the first section — I didn’t even worry about the second section or the rest of the course at that point.
By breaking a big task or project down into manageable chunks you can often overpower the sense of being overwhelmed.
Do Something Else
If you feel that you are not in the right frame of mind to write, consider doing an alternative productive task. There is little point in trying to force the words if nothing of value is going to come out.
As long as you are not held to any strict deadlines, you can always shuffle some tasks around and spend some time on less taxing tasks, such as emails or blog comments.
If you’re simply overtired and stressed, consider taking a brief nap and/or going for a walk. Whenever I am lagging half way through the day, I find that a 15-minute nap followed by a 15-minute walk makes a world of difference. You may lose those 30 minutes, but you will likely gain more back in improved productivity.
Action Steps
If you are struggling with writer’s block then work through each of the above steps suggested above in order:
- Plan your post
- Break your post down into smaller elements
- Do an alternative productive task
- Take a break