8 replies
Anytime I am getting ready to write an article for someone, I will take the key words they have sent over and do some Googling to try to get some ideas what I will write about and the theme. It really does seem to to inspire me more than I ever thought it would. Do you have anything you do to improve your experience or any other tips I might try when I get blocked again.
#google #improve #inspirations #write
  • Profile picture of the author Mark McClure
    Some writers swear by (not at!) this approach:

    1- Get a simple timer (on your computer or a real product)

    2- Pick any word you like as long as it's nothing to do with the writing gig you're stuck on.

    3- Start your timer and write for 5 mins without stopping on that topic. No googling - just write whatever comes into your head about the topic, even if you don't think it's very good i.e. don't edit. (Start the 1st sentence with the target word).

    4- Stop writing at exactly 5 mins and read over your work. All sorts of ideas will probably flood into your mind about how to improve the initial effort. Just acknowledge that you can improve and then put the paper aside.

    5- Repeat each day for a couple of weeks.
    The idea's to make it a writing habit - or at least 'top up' every week or so if you feel your inspiration's flagging.

    Have fun!
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  • Profile picture of the author clubvikram
    Banned
    Well thanks i also so very often suffer from writer's block and it becomes really painful when i am professionally writing for some body and there are stringent deadlines to be met.I normally stroll around a bit in the fresh air to get ideas.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Blaisdale
      I think that searching around Google or authority websites which specialize in the topic you are writing for are excellent ways of breaking through writer's block. These strategies both help you gain new knowledge on the topic as well as see someone else's take on the topic.
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  • Profile picture of the author mark z
    May sound weird, but my oasis for such cases is good old Wikipedia.
    I like to research not just main keywords itself but related keywords, which always take me deeper to other topics.
    Nevertheless, after getting "back", main topic suddenly makes much more sense to me.
    Only after that, I like to google around and see what competition is doing. ;-)
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    • Profile picture of the author achivement84
      Thanks Mark for this tips i think i will try it ,I am also consider writing good article as the most difficult part at my job, i used to change my setting place so that i can have some changes in my ideas.But it doesn`t work in most times.

      Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve Baker
        I know this may sound a bit out there, but when I get stuck writing copy, I go down to the beach on an incoming tide and sit at a picnic table that has clear view of the water.

        I find that the energy of the incoming water energises me immensely and allow my creativity to flow.

        Naturally, this may be a problem for those living inland.

        Has anyone had any similar experiences and what do you do if you do live inland to re-energise yourself?
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  • Profile picture of the author SergeyT
    It really feels bad when you are stuck at writing on a theme. What I found for myself that a block is usually created by limitations my regular way of thinking has. For me the following approaches are of great help:

    1. Pick up key words and look for their etymology (e.g. here: Online Etymology Dictionary). Quite a lot if interesting thoughts may come to mind when reflecting on the origin of the words we use. As well look at synonims and related words (the same as Mark Z wrote). Do Googling. Make notes.

    2. Consider the themes that may be common to anyone but entirely outside the topic you're working on. (It resembles the way Mark McClure described in #2) Think of how these themes may be connected with your topic. Sometimes approaching from a very different point of view triggers very interesting insights - it's true that most notable inventions were made by dilettanti - they were not afraid of combining what seems incompatable for a scientist. Again make notes.

    3. For some time completely forget about your writing and switch to making other deals - best if they are not writing or speaking but instead some kind of physical work. This makes your mind being occupied with something else but your subconscious mind continues to work on the topic and generate ideas. Do not make any notes at all! lol

    4. Have some rest: walk in the forest, swim in the sea, go sightseeing, etc. The poit is that you leave your ordinary environment and get some fresh impressions and fresh energy. A block in expressing yourself usually means that you lack energy to go through. So gain it (and again - best if you do it the way you usually don't).

    And do not ever be angry with yourself. It's a delightful process so take pleasure of it.

    After you manage to finish your work congratulate yourself and do something to please yourself too.
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