What exercises help you overcome writer's block?

I usually take a jog, really relaxes your mind and all.

What kind of writer's block? Another very good way to force through it is to read some swipe files from legendary marketers such as John Calton, or force yourself to follow a specific template each time you write (which is what most copywriters do anyway).

Focused, i might take a small nap. Naps work wonders.

When I need to recharge the batteries I pick up the guitar and play for awhile. Or, I might go for a walk, play with the pets, anything. The worst thing you can do when you're stuck is "try" to get unstuck.

In my experience it's best to get away from the writing and become absorbed in something else. And before you know it, you'll get the idea you needed to get back to writing, fully recharged.

Forums are a good place to stimulate your writing brain cells, see if you can write 20-30 decent posts in an hour on here say, while trying not to sacrifice post quality while doing it.

Then when you go and write your article or whatever it should be much easier as you've already got momentum.

Hi Rich,

Great post!

I used to take time off for a couple of hours but never really felt any better when I got back the block was still there.

I find that working throuh it is better, as once you have done so you feel a lot better and then get to really relax.

So I make a note of the bullet points that I want to cover - have a relook through them seeing which ones I have covered and then crack on.

Chris

Get off the computer for an hour. If you're desperate for time, fifteen minutes.

--Go for a walk in a park or around the block
--Do the dishes
--Pet, groom, play with, feed your cat/dog/snake
--Clean a room out
--Knit, sew, or do any other type of craft
--Work out
--Meditate
--Anything else that requires more physical work and less mental work

Just don't veg in front of the TV or computer. Absolutely not allowed.

Then, go back to the computer. Set a timer for five minutes. Start it. Write for that entire five minutes without stopping. If you can't think of anything to write, write whatever you're thinking about, what's around you in your room, what you did this morning... anything at all. Just keep writing for the entire period of time.

Then take a two-minute break, stretch, work the tension out of your muscles.

Set a fifteen-minute timer on the project you're working on, and write on it for that entire time. Even if what you're writing is garbage.

If you're inspired and motivated now, keep writing.

If not, shut down the computer for the day and challenge yourself not to use your cell, computer, or TV. Have a technology-free day. Tomorrow will be better.

Sit in the chair and don't get up until I've written something. Works for me Regards Allen

Things always click when I take a break and walk my dog. Usually, there's lots of stored up info from researching. this seems to be released when I go for a walk. I also have a few books on writing prompts which are great for getting started:

1. The Playful Way to Serious Writing by Roberta Allen
2. 1000 creative writing prompts by Bryan Cohen

Hope that helps!

A lot of people advise writers to keep away from writing for a while, but as per my personal experience, the true method of dealing with writer's block is to keep writing! You might want to change your subject though; try writing about something else, something that you like, or else simply take a pen and paper and jot down whatever silly thoughts come to your mind. This really gives your mind a break, and guess what - whenever I feel that I'm coming down with the writers block, I simply apply this technique, and Im usually back at work within half-an-hour

I always come up with loads of ideas whenever I go on a long country walk without consciously trying to do so.

It seems most people here have the same basic remedy for writer's block.
What I do is a little keyword research and then walk the dog a few miles, the dog loves it and it usually shakes a few ideas loose.

One way to do it is to do research on the topic, and then sit back and summarize in your head what you just read about. That summary, written down in your own words, is your article.

Write bullets...

It's a cheap, easy win - because they're so simple to write...

And really, can you ever have too many bullets?

Plus - writing bullets will often drag a new hook or subhead out of your subconscious..

...and that gets you EXCITED again!

Please do not laugh at me, but I take a shower, It funny the many thoughts when you are steamed up and soapy singing.

I came up with a 3k laugh over night from one long hot shower.

Do that! Or try this, it somehow gets the brain buzzing. Maybe just because you are relaxed.

A good nap!

I find that driving gets my cognitive wheels turning. I also listen to classical music to mellow out and relax the brain.