Writing Ideas - How to Find the Missing Muse and Overcome Writer’s Block
Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
by Julian Price
http://www.uk-freelance-content-writer.co.uk/
Writer’s block! Dreaded words for any writer and even more dreaded if you actually write for a living! What can you do when writer’s block strikes? One moment you are in the full flow of inspiration and every word and idea is your friend and the next...nothing! Writing ideas evaporate, words become illusive and your fingers just hover over the keyboard, not knowing where to strike.
Well, I have an idea! It may sound a little crazy and perhaps even a little obvious but why not write about how writer’s block makes you feel? Whether you are a creative story writer, a poetry writer, a journalist or any other kind of writer for that matter, how about using writer’s block as a writing prompt?
How does it make you feel when the ideas and words dry up?
One of the first things I feel when ideas don’t flow is frustrated. Perhaps even angry, wondering why words have suddenly dried up and deserted me. Try writing about how frustrated you feel.
2. Anxiety
If you depend on your writing to pay the bills, then anxiety is going to be right there mixed in with your frustration. Praying, begging your muse to return, desperate for the sentences to flow again so you can provide for your family. Why not write about how that feels?
3. Fear
Some writers genuinely feel afraid when they can’t write. Writing makes them tick and expressing thought through the written word is their lifeblood, and fear and panic can set in very quickly, feeling as though they have lost a part of themselves. Write about your fears and losses.
4. Loneliness
For some writers, the words they write are like companions. Perhaps a novelist who is constantly creating characters and scenarios suddenly strikes out and feels alone. Story ideas have gone. Or maybe a poet loses his rhyme and rhythm.
The mind of a writer is a powerful tool and if it feels like it’s not working properly it can be a very lonely experience. Think about the loneliness and try to express it with words.
5. Recollection
Try to remember the last time you suffered from writer’s block. Remember that no matter how painful it was, it didn’t last forever and that eventually, inspiration returned. Recall your psychological battles as you went through those experiences and jot them down.
I think you probably get the picture now. There are of course many other methods of fighting and overcoming writer’s block but perhaps this one can get you up and running again. Defeat the enemy where it stands. Beat writer’s block by writing about writer’s block! How cool is that!
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Very creative Julian! I bet you're a 'make lemonade when life throws you lemons', kind of guy. Good article.Thanks for stopping by Brianna! Much appreciated, especially as I have not had much time in recent months to take part in the community here. Thanks again!
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