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Tag: writer's block

  • Strategies to Deal with Writer’s Block and Some Humor to Help You Feel Good

    Strategies to Deal with Writer’s Block and Some Humor to Help You Feel Good

    This is not just another blog post about writer’s block. Writer’s block is a common issue for writers and of course, there are lots of tips out there on how to deal with it. If you’re a writer, you’ve probably looked for every bit of advice under the sun to see if you can find the ideal solution to unblock that block, break through that creative barrier, and get the words flowing again. 

    Well, this post does have some strategies to help you when you can’t think of what to write, but the big bonus is it also has some relatable moments. (Because that’s what you’re really here for, right?)

    1. Freewriting

    Too often, we become our own freelance editor when we are trying to write. You write several sentences and then the censor police in your head kicks in and has the overwhelming urge to delete  improve what you just wrote. Instead of worrying about what to say, just start writing anything that comes to mind. Set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes and let your thoughts spill out onto the page without censoring them. This method is one way to get past the mental block. Often, freewriting leads to unexpected ideas or topics you can explore further. I’ve tried this method before, and it often results in me writing several paragraphs of garbage I remove with one click of the highlight and delete key, but I have ended up with some good ideas.

    2. Write What’s On Your Mind

    Regardless of whether you’re writing a memoir, a blog, or a work of fantasy, your own life can be a source of ideas. What’s going on in your life? What are you thinking about? Your reactions to current events, your thoughts about a moment in your personal life, or your take on how an overheard conversation should end could spark an idea.

    3. Change Your Environment

    If you’re stuck, sometimes a simple change to your environment can help. Many writers I know go to coffee shops and hang out with writing friends to exchange ideas and just talk about writing or reading. A change of scenery, such as moving to another room to write, or going for a walk to get some fresh air can sharpen your focus. Of course, be prepared if your new environment isn’t the perfect place. (Some writers bring headphones and listen to music when they find the noise levels at a cafe too loud and distracting.)

    4. Read, Watch, or Listen to Something New

    If you’re struggling with ideas, get inspiration from other content. Read a book from a favorite author, listen to a podcast, or watch a show that interests you. I’ve read books while analyzing the writing style to see what I can learn from it. I’ve listened to music to awaken my imagination. It’s also inspiring to watch a movie for ideas (what storylines to learn from if the movie is good, what storylines to avoid if the show is bad), or watch a documentary as part of your research into a topic). Just be mindful of your time – it’s incredibly easy to lose yourself in a movie or a novel for hours. (Because it’s easier to watch stuff than to write stuff.)

    Key Takeaways

    Writer’s block doesn’t have to be permanent. Simple strategies like writing something, anything to get yourself going can get you back into writing mode. Looking for inspiration from various sources or different places can also trigger more ideas. Writing is not a straightforward process from start to finish; sometimes, you just need a little break (or block) to start writing again.

  • Signs You’re a Bad Writer… and How to Improve

    Signs You’re a Bad Writer… and How to Improve

    What is a bad writer? I’ve looked at over a handful of articles in search of an explanation of what makes a bad writer, and everyone seems to have a different point of view. Some say it’s the attitude to writing, and others say it’s poor writing skills, such as bad grammar and punctuation.

    Writing is both a skill and a work of art, so you could say a bad writer is a mix of someone with a negative attitude to writing and weak writing skills. So how could a bad writer improve their technique? One way is to start by identifying the signs that they’re a bad writer.

    Bad Writer Sign #1: Closed Off to Feedback

    Bad writers dislike criticism and become defensive the minute they hear that their work is not perfect. They believe there is only one way to write a paragraph, one way to write a story, and that’s their way. They don’t want to see how a sentence could be rewritten to make the meaning clearer.

    A bad writer is closed off to feedback and sees comments as an attack on them as a person. They don’t see constructive feedback as a suggestion on how to improve their writing. Instead, they see the comments as a suggestion that they are flawed as a person.

    Bad Writer Sign #2: Working on Projects That Last Forever

    Some writers blame writer’s block when they start a writing project and never finish. This project could be a short story, an essay, a poem, or a novel. They work on rewrite after rewrite but they never finish what they start.

    Writing takes discipline, from setting goals to setting deadlines for completing those goals. A bad writer is constantly stopping before reaching a milestone such as finishing a chapter or completing the final paragraph of a story.

    It’s difficult to improve your writing skills if you’ve never finished your first draft of a piece of writing.

    Bad Writer Sign #3: Stale Writing Skills

    Bad writers have limited vocabulary and sentence structure. They don’t expand their vocabulary to add more variety to their language. Neither do they try to write their sentences in different ways. Each sentence follows the same pattern so that their writing is repetitious.

    When a bad writer doesn’t learn more vocabulary or open themselves to criticism, they may also be unaware of incorrect word use, such as mixing up their, there, and they’re; or similar words such as illusion and allusion.

    How to Transition from a Bad Writer to a Good Writer

    A good writer isn’t necessarily a perfect writer or the best writer. But a good writer will start by learning what they can about writing. They will finish the first draft and be open to feedback on how they can improve. They will work on revisions so that the third draft is an improvement from the first.

    Improving one’s writing skills isn’t easy. To make a comparison, writing is like a muscle that can only be strengthened if you use it. With an open attitude to feedback and learning writing skills, a bad writer could become a good writer over time!

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