How to get over writer’s block in 5 easy steps

Writer’s block isn’t just for newspaper writers or book authors. It can sneak up on any task that involves putting pen to paper (or more likely, fingertip to keyboard). Here’s how to beat it before it beats you.

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Writer’s block isn’t just for newspaper writers or book authors. It can sneak up on any task that involves putting pen to paper (or more likely, fingertip to keyboard).

So if you find yourself stuck trying to write that next press release or campus magazine article, or the idea of committing words to paper makes you overly-anxious or self-critical, here are a few tips for pushing past the block.

#1 – Make sure you really know what you’re writing about.

Your writer’s block could be caused because you don’t know enough about a subject to say something about it. Go get more facts if you need to, then try again.

#2 – Make sure you really know who you’re writing to.

If you understand who your audience is and what they really want, it becomes easier to find a place to start from.

#3 – Start writing something – ANYTHING – about your subject.

The first thing you write doesn’t have to be the first thing that will be read. So start in a place where you feel comfortable and get something down on paper (or computer screen) to get you over the hump. When in doubt, start with the “five Ws & an H” (who, what, when, where, why, and how).

#4 – Write another something … then write a bridge paragraph(s) that connects those two.

Once you connect two things, you should have the start of a road map for what you want to write. You’ll be able to look at what is still missing, what needs to be expanded on, and how to connect it all. If not, then repeat step 4 – write another something and a bridge – until a road map reveals itself.

#5 – Most importantly, just write like you speak.

I know plenty of people who are great speakers but horrible writers because they feel the need to use fancy words when they’re writing or get hung up on grammar. They get so fixated up on sounding smart or not making mistakes that they self-edit themselves into a bad case of writer’s block or write something that is so stuffed with five-dollar words that it’s unintelligible. Write like you speak.  You can always go back in and edit for grammar or word selection later.

How do you get over writer’s block or any other type of barrier to creativity? Post in the comments below!