Writer's Block: How to Overcome It
Unfortunately, we all know what writer's block is and how painful it can be. But is there a way to overcome it?
First, let's define the term to get a feel for it. Writer's block is a condition in which a writer temporarily loses the ability to produce new work. It varies widely in intensity: sometimes it lasts a few seconds or minutes, and other times it can last for months.
There are many ways to overcome writer's block, and below are some that I find very useful. Remember that even if it's hard to get anything down on paper right now, if you are patient and keep trying, the words will usually start to flow.
Six words that eliminate writer's block
What are these six words, you ask? Before I reveal them, let me introduce the man behind the neat little formula we're about to learn.
His name was Rudyard Kipling, and he is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story. He wrote this powerful yet concise verse describing six amazing words:
“I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.”
If you ever get stuck while writing, think of those six words:
- What: What am I writing about? What will be included? What kind of content is relevant?
- Where: Where does this take place? Where can I collect the information I need?
- When: When does it take place? When will I be finished?
- How: How did this happen? How can I gather more information on the subject?
- Why: Why did this happen? Why should I do it this way, and could I do it another way instead?
- Who: Who was responsible for this? Who can I talk to for more information?
For a closer look at this method, see eliminate writer's block with Kipling's six questions.
Movement is good
What really stops you from writing is usually a lack of movement, not so often a lack of ideas. So as long as you keep moving that pen (or pressing those keys), you hopefully won't face writer's block! For instance, you might start your story like this:
“I had just opened the door when all of a sudden yada yada, so I called out in fear yada yada.”
The yada yada stands for the block. Instead of stopping completely, just write yada yada and keep going. Remember, you're writing a draft, so nothing says it has to be perfect. It's the end result that matters anyway, right? When you feel you're finished, go back and revise it. It's as simple as that.
Write with passion
What I am about to tell you is so shocking it could give your English teacher a heart attack! Here it goes: when you start a novel or an essay, (temporarily) FORGET about grammar and just focus on writing. Write with passion, write with insight, write as if your life depended on it!
Turn off the inner editor
Have you ever noticed that your writing is most intense when it comes naturally, without any outside pressure? Why is that? I really don't know. All that matters is that it works this way, and you should write accordingly.
Yes, grammar is important, but you’re not writing in stone. You can always go back later and edit your material. The important thing is to just write and let your passion splash all over your draft.