The Infamous Writer's Block

A Lesson by .

These tips come from experience.

The Infamous Writer's Block-

Okay, I'm sure at least once we've all had this horrible scenario. And if you haven't, you're very lucky. It's every writers fear and foe. Everyone, meet writer's block. Writer's block, I'm sure you've met everyone.

I remember my first encounter with writer's block. I was pretty harsh on myself. I felt like all of my writing was horrible just because I was staring at a blank page and broken pencil tip. I couldn't write for months, so I gave up and went back to drawing for a bit. It was the most boring four months of my life.

After awhile, I slowly reconnected with my writing inspiration and creativity. Yes, it does take time. Yes, it will be painful. Yes, you will get mad at yourself. But yes, you will return to writing.

Here's some tips to return to your writing state:

1. Don't be so hard on yourself!

Like I said, I was very harsh on myself the first time. That didn't work out too well for me and it sure won't work for you. In my second encounter with this devil, I told myself more encouraging thoughts. I read some of my old writing and thought, this isn't so bad. When you're not so harsh on yourself, it cuts down the time-span of writer's block.

2. Take a break.

Sometimes it's what the best writers need. Take some time off of writing and go back to an old hobby or introduce yourself to a new one. You never know how those will inspire you to write again. Taking a break really helped me. When I went back to drawing, I found so much inspiration within what I was drawing and turned it into a story. For example, if you read my story "Runaway", I was drawing a beach and it made me think of a plot for that story.

3. Make sure it isn't personal.

In some cases, the only thing coming between you and writing is life. Is something bothering you? Do you have an issue with a friend? Recent arguments, anxiety, or worry? Solve your problems and clear your conscience. It's better to find inspiration with organized thoughts then having 70 different episodes of problems in your head.

4. Personal Reflections

Try to reflect on both the good and bad that has happened in your life. It'll be easy to turn into a story or poem because you've lived it. For the good, put in a twist. Doesn't matter where, just make it unique. For the bad, change the ending to how you would've liked it to be. Think about how you pictured the ending in your perspective. What are dreams for?

5. Let's Take a Quiz.

Do you remember why you began writing? Why it means so much to you? In times like this, retracing your steps and recalling why can't hurt. Do you write for yourself or for others? Was it a given talent or a given choice? Was it both? If you never started, how would it be different now? Think thoroughly.