Hands up if you get writer’s block!
Despite some of my readers’ assumptions that I don’t have this problem, I do! Maybe not as often as some might have but every now and then, I do face writer’s block and couldn’t write any further than the first sentence. Sometimes, it is because I am overly stretched and tired, my mind tends to wander off topic. Sometimes, I get distracted when I’m writing and the train of thoughts just went on a no-return trip to Neverland.
Writing is difficult for me as well especially as a new mom, struggling with panda eyes with the soft warm bed beckoning to me or even trying to conjure up where did I misplace her blankie when she is screaming on top of her lungs (my baby definitely do not have asthma from the frequency and tonation of her wailing…).
So how then did I manage to churn out content after content, day after day enough to feed my dear audience – you?
Bullet Points
I note down my thoughts in bullet points everytime I get them. I don’t wait. Not even when I’m changing diapers. I’ll just brandish my iPhone and start putting the thoughts on my reminder list. Whether it is random or structured, it doesn’t matter. It will be useful to me, if not the current article, then the next one.
Write Everywhere And Anywhere
I’m furiously typing this to you on my iPhone while I’m gobbling down my lunch in a restaurant downtown, keeping an eye on my sleeping angel. My current favourite writing place? The toilet. Where moms get their peace and quiet…for like 10 minutes until someone needs something. I type while I sing nursery songs to her. I type while I wait for my casserole in the oven to be ready. I type when I’m waiting for my Uber to arrive while tapping my foot impatiently.
Enjoy The Flow
When I do get writer’s block, I stop writing. Because it will get me all frustrated and nowhere if I force ideas out from my mind. Writing is supposed to be enjoyable, yes even when you are writing for a client. Heck, especially when you are writing for a client. So if you are forcing it just to meet the deadline, you are doing it wrong. Forced writings can be read across as insincere and patronising. You’ll make silly spelling mistakes. Your sentence structures will be awkward. Most importantly, your content looks rushed.
Clear The Block
These are the things I do to clear my writer’s block. I’m not sure if it works for you however, there’s no harm trying. You might share the same cure as me!
Play with my baby / cats
Take a stroll around the house
Get me out of the house
Try writing in different parts of the house i.e. Kitchen, patio and yes, toilet
Take a 15 minutes nap
Do laundry and ironing
Call someone random for a chat
Read a book, newspaper, Facebook, anything
Go for a swim (swimming always clear my head without fail)
Eat something sweet
Smell something nice like my baby’s booties or my favourite perfume
Sing on top of your voice and dance like there’s no tomorrow
So do you have writer’s block? What are your tips to clear them? Share with us your trade secret right in the comments below. Shhh… we’ll never tell.
Join MiddleMe at Twitter (MiddleMe_net), FaceBook (MiddleMe.net) and WeChat! Best things in life are meant to be shared, start spreading MiddleMe around, after all, sharing is caring.
Comments