A Writer's Block is a conditioned that many of us writer's come across during one or the other stage of our writing process. During the period a writer/author develops a certain mental block which prevents him/her from providing a good quality of work or in some cases no work at all. You can simply assume that it is the time period during which The Muses of inspiration are at their lowest.
Possible Causes of it:
- Over-stressing yourself with too much work: As they say that too much of everything is not good, so too much of work, whether it is writing or non-writing work can tire a person's mind and body. And a tired mind is not a very productive mind.
- Emotional state of the writer: Sometimes as it is with me, a writer's emotional conidition or "MOOD" affects their writing too. Although it is a bad practice, but being a human filled with emotions, the emotions do tend to bundle up and show out in our writing. (For example: when you're sad you mostly come up with a sad/, melancholy piece of writing, when you’re happy the writing is happy, when you’re angry, it’s angry and when you’re in the mood for some fun, it may be charming, witty, humorous and even adventurous.
- Situations in daily life: Then being human’s we have our lives and families and lots of stuff happening out and about us, besides the writing and sometimes the day to day troubles, situations sneak up and find a way in your writing to thereby corrupting the work
- Environment that you sit in to write a story: An Environment that you sit in also affects your writing,/(For Example: A noisy environment might be disturbing to some, like a playground, a home filled with kids…etc)
Solutions to tackle the Problem:
- Take a Break: When you feel like you are experiencing a block and you’ve had it, it’s enough! Go get up, leave your notepads, laptops, tablets alone and go do something normal. Live life! Do some home chore, watch a movie, go outside for a fresh morning walk because that is what is lacking and you need to let you mind rest to help your muses go back to their work.
- Choose the time of the Day: One thing I do mostly is select a lot in my day which I keep for writing and only writing. This is usually early in the mornings when everyone’s asleep or late at night also when everyone’s retired to bed. This provides me with a chance to focus on my work without my folks feeling I’m neglecting them. And Some of just don't feel that good not giving enough time to or loved ones. Besides that the times that I’ve mentioned are the quite times of the day, where one can get on with their writing work with minimal noise and distraction.
- Inspire yourself: In most cases if the writer’s block is too severe it may need you to take a two-three days or even a week’s leave from writing. In that duration try to Live your Life (again!!) and be inspired by all that is around you, the nature, its beauty, the plants, birds, animals, sceneries. The more relaxed you are the more inspired you’d be.
- Watch a Movie or Read a Book: This is one thing I try to eliminate the block completely. Pick up a random channel and watch a movie playing on. Any arbitrary movie!! Or Pick a random book to read. This is one of the effective tchniques against fighting day-day stress as well. “Out of Sight, out of mind they say,” so when you’re away from work and really enjoying yourself. That is when your stress will be reduced the most which is also when new ideas will flow in.
- Become CHEF!: One of the bad habits yet effective. Leave your work and get to the kitchen and start a recipe from zero. Cooking takes your mind off stuff and gives you time to think about other things as well. Also something I recommend for stress. Try to be creative and come up with fancy garnishing designs with lots of colours on the plate, (Maybe! a Pizza, a pudding, caramel, salad, or something chocolaty hmm…) Coured food stuff add colours to your imagination. Chocolate inspires but warning it adds calories too… because you have to cook and eat too be Inspired. So apparently the next best things is to...
- Go for a walk/jog: Don’t just eat and sit be inspired and be more inspired go for an early morning, evening or even a night walk/jog. Dress up sporty, play the character that you are in. Live the moment. When you jog, look at the scenery, or your surroundings to get some freshness. I usually go for gardens with greenery, the muses love that! (Smiling!)
- Listen to Music: Another effective way is to listen to music to set your mood in especially works for romantic and action parts of a story. “Music is the food for the soul,” so if you need yourself to be inspired to bring out your creativity listen to something soothing, calm or romantic or fast depending upon the mood you want yourself to be in for the writing. (This works very well! I personally tried it.)
- Change the Environment: If you can afford to and you don’t have other preoccupations like, kids, family, home chores, other works etc. Try to go sit in a café or a restaurant or a garden even and write in the full experience of the surroundings new surroundings give new ideas. And if you can’t change places of writing having to much to do in practical life, as I usually do, change the rooms. What do I mean by that yes! Change the room you are sitting in and writing. Some people prefer to work in one place like their quiet office or work space. But when I usually grow tired, I prefer changing location. And if not at big level then at a small level, from bedroom, to dining room to the patio, depending upon the time, weather and availability of space.
- OR JUST WATCH SOME IMAGES ON THE NET! If you can’t do any of the above, then just browse through some lovely images of nature, wondrous places of the world for on spot relaxation and refreshment.
Lastly:
You may try one or more than one technique simultaneously or a combination of them to see which works out best for you. But I guarantee you that they work the best. Please do comment and let me know what method worked best for you. I’d be more than glad to hear from you all friends.
Happy Writing!
Yours,
Hana
.P .B
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