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Not being able to generate a creative idea or to even put words on a blank page is disconcerting for any writer. Writers block can happen at any time in a writing career. How it starts is open to many interpretations but there are several factors that can trigger writers block. High stress levels can render a writer incapable of generating fresh and new material. The pain of chronic illness or the transitory symptoms of a more common illness can push creativity back into a dark corner. Medications can dull the overall ability to function at a peak level so it goes without saying that they would affect the portions of the brain where the creative spark resides. Also, sleep patterns and lack of a good solid 7+ hrs. over an extended period of time can wreck havoc with creativity.
The first step in overcoming writers block is to analyze what may be causing it. If it’s medication, accept a performance level that is less than 100%. If it is a medication to be taken over a long period of time, the body will adjust to functioning with to the new chemical compound flowing and reset its performance indicators. If stress is high in life, pinpoint whether it is normal daily living stress or if the stress is a result of any one of events listed on any life stress index. Examples of life events that cause stress levels to increase radically are death, marriage, birth of a child, divorce. Acknowledge the high stress level and seek out proven stress reductions techniques. Avoid any kind of substance abuse. After analyzing the possible causes for writers block and the results come up that everything is pretty much in a normal, predictable state then the following exercises can help overcome writers block.
Take a Walk - Walk around the yard. Walk around the neighborhood. Walk at the beach or in a park. Fresh air and physical movement cause more oxygen to flow to the brain. Oxygen is fuel, fuel/energy is needed to get the brain’s synapses firing. The right charge to the right area will ignite creative thought processes. Walking is also a way to become centered, focused and calm. While walking you can think about the current project you’re working on or focus your attention on the environment around you. Look closely at trees. Notice the angle of the trunk, where the branches begin, what color the leaves are. Pay attentions to flowers. Look at the clouds or the cracks in the sidewalk. No matter where you focus your attention, your mind will be working in the background, generating ideas or working on solving a technical problem with a current piece of work. Or before you begin your walk give yourself a task. Tell yourself that during your walk you will find objects or an object that could symbolize an idea or emotion. Example - fallen leaves at the base of an otherwise healthy look tree could equate to the early signs of disease, natural regeneration or the result of an act of nature, animal or man. Act like a criminal on your walk. A burglar would notice piled up newspapers, signs of inactivity in a property, the placement of doors or windows. A real estate agent would notice architectural style, neighborhood characteristics and curbside appeal. Carry a notebook or index cards with you and jot down anything that surfaces in your thoughts.
Open a Dictionary – Search for an obscure and magnificent word. Use the word in a sentence. Build the sentence into a paragraph. Build the paragraph into a page. Or imagine you have to give a three-minute impromptu speech on the word. Write out the speech. Look into the etymology of the words that describe a current writing project. A new slant on how to write about the subject may surface. Look in the thesaurus for five synonyms. Write a poem. Use each synonym in the lines of the poem.
Listen - Sit quietly at your desk and really listen. Close your eyes. Listen to the creak of your chair, to your heartbeat, to the voice of the announcer on the radio, the individual notes in a track from a CD. Listen to the traffic outside and the sounds coming from inside the house. Write about what you hear or what you don’t hear. Think about sounds you will never hear again. The bark of a lost dog. The rumble of the old noisy dishwasher. The sound of a basketball bouncing in the driveway. The sound of someone dearly loved calling you by your nickname.
Make a List - List making is a great aid to the creative process. List twenty questions you would like to have answered. List all the things you would like to do before you die. List all the things that give you a feeling of joy and happiness. List all the things you need to improve. Don’t limit this to self-improvement. Think of house repairs or decorating improvements. Make a list of things you would like to have in your garden. Make a list of special photographs you would like to have taken. Make a list of all human emotions. Make a list of conflicts most individuals face at one time or another in their lives. Make a list of your conflicts. Make a list of your fears. A list is concrete evidence of options available to you. Select one option from any list and write about it. Combine Use a Dictionary with this exercise and find a vivid word that describe the option you’ve selected from your list and include it in the first sentence and the last sentence you write.
If you are working on a current project, list five different points of view someone could have on the subject. List five experts on the subject. List five easily recognizable characteristics contained in the subject. List three opposing views to the subject. List three benefits the subject can provide to a group or individual.
Combine Several Exercises Together - Take a walk. Listen to sounds. List five places where the sound can be heard. List five places where it can’t be heard. Find a vivid word that describes the sound you heard while walking. Pick one option from each list of places and write about it by contrasting one off the other. Use the vivid word in the first sentence and the last sentence.
Overcoming writer’s block can be as easy as just giving yourself a break from the pressure of having to write something. Take the morning or afternoon and relax. Read. Listen to music. Eat a fantastic meal. Indulge the senses – buy flowers, perfume, a good cigar or have a massage. If writer’s block is still persistent go back and redo the exercises again.
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