I have Severe Writer's Block

How do I Remove it?

[Vetteman]

I have a website where I'm trying to build a large compendium of historic business events (this is a bit vague, purposely). No site exists like this and I'm becoming the leader in my niche.

I've written many of the articles last spring when I had all of my initial creative juices but I can't seem to have the creativity/motivation to write any more, even though intellectually I know what needs to be accomplished.

When I get motivated, I could probably write one article per night and finish my main much needed articles in about 1 month. I can write very easily on informal unimportant things, but on my site I'm so critical of myself.

I think the root cause may be my confusion about citation and if its necessary on the web. Previously, I used exclusively the tenets of writing for the web and didn't use citation. Now that my site is gaining links from schools, I may like to cater to this audience a bit more.

Another major problem may be that I'm forced between being very terse (writing for the web) and including enough detailed information; a very fine line.

What should I do?

[mcguffin]

Here's are some techniques you can use to move past a case of writer's block. Some of these ideas are contradictory, so you'll have to figure out which one will work for you in this situation.

Sit down and put words on a page. Keep writing for an hour, regardless of whether it's gold or just dreck. You can edit later, once you have a draft.

Get a personal voice recorder (tape or digital). Pick a topic. Imagine you're standing in front of an audience and need to give a five minute presentation of the topic. Start the recorder and talk away.

Set aside an hour a day to write. Some people write better in the early morning and others at night. Figure out your best time and just do it.

Create milestones and a reward system for yourself. Then, as you achieve results you'll have something to celebrate yourself.

Ask yourself if you really want to work on this project. If it sparked your creativity before, but you feel flat now--what happened?

Hire/recuit/persuade someone who has a passion to help you with the writing.

Find someone who has a writing project of their own. Help them stay focused on their project, and they'll support you.

Try the team-writing approach. Write a draft as much as you can. When you get stuck, pass it to your co-author. Then, the co-author writes until they get stuck. Two people collaborating can sometimes write together faster than two people writing separately.

Choose a new project that sparks your imagination. Your best writing will come when you're interested. If you're uninterested in your topic, your writing will be flat. If you get bored writing a page, your readers will probably get bored reading it.

Go take a bath (or something else relaxing). That's what I do when my conscious mind gets stuck on a writing project. I go relax, and often when I come back to the writing, my subconcious mind has found an answer to the problem.

Good luck with the writing.

[Vampyre]

I've found that the best way to combat writer's block, is to ignore it, and just write anything. It doesn't have to be related to your project, you just want to get the words flowing.

I completed a 50,000 word novel last November this way. When I felt I couldn't write, I'd just sit down and do it anyways. If it didn't have anything to do with my story, it would at least get my mind working, and sometimes even sparked some ideas for the story.

Even if what you write doesn't have anything to do with your project, you may be able to use it for others. So, just sit down and write anything, and just let the words come naturally.

[Vetteman]

Thanks for the help guys! I've already finished one article tonight using these techniques to bust through writer's block. They do work, it seems like you must not be so critical of yourself and just experiment- then ideas start to flow better.

[VegasRook]

Getting in a situation you find soothing can help.

For some it is a shower, others a coffee shop, etc.

Having a tape recorder is handy. I find most of my inspirations coming when I am out on the road wishing I was at home writing.

Nothing like coming home with a bunch of ideas to play with.

[weelee]

some writers already forgot how to turn the valves in their minds. there are times when you just have to empty your mind, walk around, look at the sky or the trees. after a few minutes u can turn the valve on again. you will see the difference.:-)

[zooloo]

Very good advice above.

My watchword is that 'it's easier to edit than it is to create'.

So that's what I do, just write anything and then edit it, generally it gets me going.

zoo

[weelee]

i agree with zoo. dats y i get annoyed when people stop me in the middle of my writing for typo errors. me, i just finish everything and then go back. my fingers have to keep up with the ideas hehe

[larryhatch]

I write a lot. Not professionally mind you, but a lot anyway.

If a walk outside for a cigarette isn't enough, I need a sudden change.
A complete change of time, place, attitude, scenery, environment
SOME goddam change.

Maybe I will just get in the car and drive away.
That works here in Northern California where mountains,
beaches, bay, farms and 1000 ethnic restaurants abound.

That's a lot harder in South Dakota say, so they put up the Corn Palace.

Sometimes it helps to just get drunk, but umbrella drinks are counter-productive.

The best writers I knew drank scotch, but they all died.

Me like beer. - Larry [burp!]

[larryhatch]

If that doesn't work, then move your computer furniture around.

Put the computer table so the sun comes in from a different angle.

Try familiar sexual postures but with a new woman.

Change to different brands of toothpaste and other toiletries.

Change religions temporarily. Go to Confession in a Catholic Church
Ask Father McFadden what HE does when stuck for a sermon.

Invent an imaginary monster. Defeat it.
Invent a REAL monster. Defeat it.

Dig a hole in the back yard, maybe 5 feet deep.
Plant the seeds for the world's largest carrots.

I forgot the other stuff, sorry. - Larry

[willybfriendly]

Read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". It is as much about rhetoric as about a road trip.

There is an interesting segment about writer's block. The subject was directed to sit in front of a brick building until they were freed from the block.

If memory serves me correctly, it was a single brick that led to the breakout.

WBF

[VegasRook]

ats y i get annoyed when people stop me in the middle of my writing for typo errors.

Tell whoever it is that first writes are all about getting the ideas down on paper and not grammar. Most writers don't even form complete sentences on their first writes.

[Vetteman]

Its funny that some mention Scotch, I have heard that before from a very creative artist friend of mine. I'll have to try that.

[cooldoug]

Look at other peoples websites, to get ideas,(DO NOT COPY!). Just see what they have on their site. Then make yours with the ideas.