how do you deal with writers block

Same here... there are times when I have to stop staring at the computer, take a walk, head to the gym, read a chapter of a good book, or cook some dinner. Even a quick walk down to the car and back can help me get some fresh air and clear my head.

Unlike David, I do alot of my writing first thing in the morning. That's when I feel most refreshed and ready to face the day.

If you're having trouble thinking of actual topics, keep a pad of paper and a pen nearby. I can't tell you how many times I've been in the middle of something random (like a phone call or watching TV), when a great idea popped into my head. I rarely start working on them right at that moment, but I always have a list!

Thats true, they are 2 different issues. I was on about how i deal with distractions.

Okay, I'm sending you a friend request for that one. Joss Whedon RULES.

Writers block... I don't have a good answer for that. Joss makes a good point, but I have a very real problem that when I go work on something else, I obsess on it and then never get back to what I was doing. Sometimes I'll work on one thing and only one thing for a month, and not write anything that actually pays me.

That's really the hard part, as a writer, to put the stuff that pays your bills at the top of the list. There's always another project, and more often than not, it's more entertaining and interesting than the stuff your clients want. Setting goals and meeting them - just short ones, like "I will write 2,000 words for clients today" - is what works for me, but I don't do that as often as I should.

Thanks guys some good ideas . I am trying to do my writing first thing in the morning with less distractions . I normally get more done in the morning than in the evening . I just don't always feel creative in the morning so will have to find ways to write down ideas when i do feel creative like in a notebook or on voice recorder on my mobile .

That's how I begin every single writing project. Well, except I do it in Word, so no arrows and circles.

Seriously, though, I just begin typing. Doesn't matter what. A list of words related to the subject, possible subheadings or titles, maybe a sentence or two I want to include somewhere. After a half a page or so of that, the words just begin to flow.

As for distractions, one thing that's worked well for me is a timer. Set it for twenty or thirty minutes or whatever you're comfortable with, and for that amount of time you're not allowed to wander off project. No "quick bit of research," no hop over to Thesaurus.com to find a new word, just write. For me, those little side trips to the Internet always, always end up with wasted time spent, well, here mostly.

I really should be writing...

Blocks come about when you're not clear about what you should be writing. I find that starting with a good outline (or even a few bullet points) helps me get back on track. I use the outlining feature of Word.

Avoid distractions: turn off your internet connection so you won't compulsively check your favorite websites.

Work time is for work. Force yourself to work; you can (and probably should) always edit your stuff later on.

i like the idea of 1 internet free day a week , I think my wife would like that also

I´d say writer´s block is a way of the sub conscious to express that it is not interested in doing writing. That it is maybe bored with it, frustrated or what not.
It either is making peace with doing a task we are not too happy with or alternatively looking to outsource the writing.

Cheers,

jt

Some really great suggestions have been offered here.

For me personally, when I have writers block I...

(1) Write anyway. As one poster mentioned earlier, free writing can be very therapeutic, and soon the flood gates of inspiration will open.

(2) I read. Usually something of a similar nature to what I need to be writing about. This, even more so than my previous suggestion, is most beneficial to me. It usually sparks an idea, and I am able to move on from there.

I will add to this that I like to read away from my office *usually* in a relaxing environment. In fact, it doesn't even have to be *relaxing*, just different. Although this is not always essential. Just keep a notebook or piece of paper handy to write down any ideas that may come to you.

(3) Exercise. Not only is it healthy for the body, but it's healthy for the mind. I might go for a run, and even listen to my iPod, but at some point, even if not intentionally, ideas will start popping in my brain.

Hope this thread helps you.

All the best,
Derek

I've gotten into the habit of carrying a pocket notebook with me everywhere I go. I keep a spare one in my truck just in case. You can usually pick them up at a grocery store for a buck or two.

Whenever I get writers block I get up and go do something totally unrelated to what I want to write about. Normally I'll do one of several things depending on conditions. I live near the coast and am an outdoorsie kind of guy so most of my methods involve this.

1) Go surfing - my best ideas seem to pop up here. I'll surf for a while and I'll just get a flood of information burnning through my head. Run back to the truck and jot down some bullet points.

2) Kayak fishing - I get a lot of good ideas while doing this too. I keep a notebook inside a plastic bag and if I come up with something I just take the book out and jot down my thoughts, then continue fishing. One of my most profitable ideas so far has come from this. I actually ended the trip early so I could go and get started.

3) Hunting - Here in Texas you can hunt hogs year round so a lot of times I'll be sitting in a tree stand with my bow furiously writing away. If you're not into hunting take a camera and shoot things with that.

4) Long drive - also in Texas whenever you want to go somewhere it can take a looong time to get there. Get an idea, pull over and write write write.

5) Bookstore - You'd be amazed at what you come up with just browsing around your Borders/Barnes & Noble. Also keep an ear open for what people might be talking about. Sometimes you get some great ideas here too. Don't forget your notebook.

6) Gym - Excersize also kicks the mind in gear. I'll jump off the eliptical when I start getting ideas and head for my gym bag.

7) Take a night class. Nothing heavy like physics or anatomy. I'm talking more along the lines of a pottery or art class. Creative Writing class is also a good option.

8) Watch a nature show. I've had several ideas while watching the Discovery series that was narrated by Oprah (I think they are alled earth, or life) recently. I have them all Tivo'ed. Fishing/Hunting shows work well too.

9) Have a nice dinner with a friend - Take your notebook and if something comes to you, excuse yourself and hit the bathroom for a few moments to scribble down some ideas. Be sure not to take too long or they might get worried and come looking for you.

10) Just go sit at the Lake/Beach/River/Park. I prefer the beach or the river myself, but find a place with not a lot of people and just chill out and watch nature.

Usually for me it's getting out to a place where there are people. something that moves. maybe to each his own.

I am one of those kids that can't study at home since no one is there. so there you have it. I'm better when i'm out. at least you get some people moving, having meetings or working on their laptops. so coffee shop for me is best.

All the best,

F

What I refer to as writer's block is not being able to write creatively or write exceptional content, as I can always just write.

What I do to get the creative juices flowing is to think of an incident in my life that was funny, or entertaining for example, having some sort of emotion involved anyway.

I then will begin to write about it with the goal of getting the reader to experience the event in the exact same manner that I did. It brings my creativity to the forefront and when I know I'm on a roll, I switch over to my work and find that I'm "in the zone" with the work at hand as well!

Terra

I used to get this a lot:

But then I tried this:

Excellent advice that many should at least try and follow.

WOW! With all the tips given here you could write a new book

For me it's real simple. I can't type so I use the old fashioned pen and paper technique to get everything out.

I've also found that I can only write in certain places The driver seat of any vehicle usually gets more work done then any desk ever could. I blame this on years of driving over the road and having all that time to think up new ideas and taking notes.

I've also found that taking notes (lot's of notes), jotting down ideas, slogans, statements, questions and anything else that pops into my mind can usually be turned into some high quality content.

When i write down my thoughts (on a pocket notepad) I usually don't have think all that hard as to why I wrote it. This sorta supercharges my brain into overdrive so I can write more faster.

Everyone has their own way of doing things. If we didn't life would truly be boring

Fred

A good way to get over writers block is to pretend your talking to a good friend about the subject you wish to write about. When we speak to our dear friends we tend to do so with alot of emotion and passion...if you are able to start writing about how u feel about a particular subject it puts u in a different state of mind...it puts u in the flow ...just start writing and try to use descriptions of internal process ...write about what you saw ...what you felt ...what you thought ..what you said to yourself ...as you start thinking in this way you will become more engaged in what you are writing and it the process takes on a whole new "feeling" ...writing in this way is also more engaging for the reader ...as you describe internal process it forces the reader to undergo those same processes inside themself ...causing them to experience a similar emotion...

Hope this helps