We’ve all been there: you have the perfect idea for the next great American novel, but you just can’t get around to actually writing it. Writing, unlike most other disciplines, requires keen intuition and a kind of fluidity of the mind that can be hard to harness with the many distractions and stresses of everyday life. Because of the difficulty in achieving this fluidity constantly, many writers suffer from writer’s block, a condition which completely limits one’s ability to conjure and express creative ideas. From blogging to writing poetry to writing essays-writer’s block can ruin a variety of writing activities that can reduce daily productivity significantly. Fortunately, there are several ways writers can break this cycle for a more productive day.

- Keep a Notebook With You Everywhere
Good ideas always seem to strike when you least expect it, so always take advantage of one when the time comes. Whether you are in a crowded subway or alone in your bedroom, write down your good idea immediately and embellish it as much as possible. It is usually much easier to return to an idea and get inspired by it later than to try and remember it a few days later with nothing to go off of.

- Read
Reading is one of the best ways to get rid of writer’s block because it unlocks your imagination and helps you get into the flow of writing. When you read often, you tend to pick up a lot of what you read in terms of writing style and structure, which can improve your own writing in the long run. Read something close to the style and structure of what you are trying to write. For example, if you are having trouble blogging, read some other blogs on a similar subject and try to go off of the ideas they present. Reading poetry seems to help for all kinds of writing because it gets you into a deep, meditative state that can help you better express your feelings and ideas.

- Change Your Scenery
It’s difficult to get inspired when you spend all day inside your home or a coffee shop or wherever your usual writing place is. Change up your surroundings by writing in a park, at the beach, or even in a boat in the middle of a lake. The more sensory stimulation, the better for getting rid of writer’s block and feeling inspired again. If you feel more comfortable at home, try decorating your usual writing area with inspiring pieces of art, beautiful photographs, and colored lighting for a transformed mood.

-Write Down Your Dreams
Most of us have incredibly vivid and interesting imaginations that are unlocked mostly during unconscious dreaming. In dreaming, the laws of the natural world are always bending and breaking for the sake of creativity. Take advantage of this wonderful creative period by writing down the images and thoughts that come to you during these phases. They may help you express something you have been trying to say for a while, but can’t quite figure out the words for.

Diane Johnson primarily writes about Grand Canyon University and anything else that interests her. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and shopping.

Writer’s block is an often feared, but entirely preventable, obstacle to writing a book and getting published.

In a nutshell, prior preparation is the key to avoid writer’s block.

Writer’s block is an extreme form of stress, close to panic in its ability to interfere with an author’s productivity.

The primary key to writer’s block is to know what you want to write before you sit down and begin writing.

Authors who take the time to prepare a detailed table of contents, and who have a writing process based on the message they want to communicate, seldom are sidelined by writer’s block. To prevent writer’s block, prepare a detailed table of contents for your book, one that provides a roadmap for each chapter.

Likewise, authors who pace themselves, who avoid marathon, last-minute writing under deadline pressure, seldom experience writer’s block. Instead, cultivate the habit of short, daily writing sessions. Short, daily writing sessions keep your mind constantly engaged and energized.

Another preparation technique that takes just a few minutes is to review your your goals for the next day before you go to sleep. A few minutes spent reviewing the ideas you want to develop the next day are often enough to jumpstart your progress when you start writing. While you’re sleeping, your brain will be thinking about your project, organizing your ideas and making connections to facts and stories waiting to be included.

Finally, track your progress. Print out each day’s writing and insert it in a 3-ring binder. As you complete topics, enjoy the pleasure of deleting the topics, or putting “finished” next to them. Progress builds on progress; the more you see progress, the more enthusiastic you’ll be about your writing success as it takes place in short working sessions.

Writer’s block doesn’t have to happen. With a little preparation, it won’t happen to you.

Roger C. Parker is a best-selling author of marketing and design books, with 38 published books under his belt, over 1.6 million books sold in over 37 countries. His Bestsellers include Looking Good in Print: A Guide To Basic Design For Desktop Publishing, Design To Sell, and the Microsoft Office For Dummies Series. Get help writing and publishing your book at http://www.publishedandprofitable.com

Are you experiencing writer’s block?

Whether you are a new writer or an article writing and marketing expert like me, there comes a time when you just stare at the blank white screen with your hands ready at the keyboard – but they’re not typing. The dreadful writer’s block is stopping the words from flowing as they should.

It is frustrating to be stuck especially when you know when you write and submit articles online you will get more website traffic, prospects and profits. So, you start pulling your hair out and grinding your teeth.

See, I know exactly how you feel. There were many times that I wanted to throw my laptop and my desktop right out the window. I know what it is like to try to force yourself to “work through it”, and when you sit down to write you are numb and feel like your brain is composed of concrete.

I also know that the longer you stay in this state the more discouraged you get, which makes it even harder to write. That’s why I am going to help you get out of that dark, cold, gloomy corner and see the light so you can start writing articles faster.

7 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block and Banish It Forever

1. Use instant article writing templates — You want to use article templates that literally guide you through the article writing process. For example, my 40+ Instant Article Writing Templates Kit, is filled with worksheets and ideas. All you have to do is enter the information that the template asks for – where it asks for it. Not only will you generate article ideas, but you’ll be able to organize your ideas in a way that gets your prospects to read your articles from top to bottom.

2. Host a teleseminar – Greg Ivers of Church Loan Services, an article marketing coaching client of mine, has the hardest time putting the information inside his head into words. No matter how much time I spent with him – he just wasn’t getting it like many small business owners. However, he has no problem speaking about his expertise. So, using Instant Teleseminars, I’m having him do a teleseminar recording that he can use as a lead generation device. He’s then going to use the recording to create a number of articles to promote his free audio program.

3. Keep a digital or analog notebook with you 24/7 — They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Coming up with compelling ideas to write about is sometimes the hardest challenge of all. But, if you have an “idea pad” with you at all times, you can build a reserve of good topics to draw upon as you need them. You’re working proactively to prevent writer’s block.

4. Start writing without constraints– Consider this: Have you ever been blocked while playing Frisbee? Eating doughnuts? Dancing naked in your living room? Those are joyful things and there’s nothing at stake. If you fail, who cares? Nobody. If there are no rules, and no judgment, psychological blocks are impossible. So, start writing without constraints. Deliberately write badly, but write.

5. Write about how it feels not to be able to write. It’s sneaky, but, it works. The voices in our heads are always saying something, so get it down. Imagine yourself as a recording device, writing down the radio broadcast of some other person who happens to live in your head. Eventually your mind will hit thoughts on the topic itself and, presto, you’re on your way.

6. Make Lists – List making is never as threatening as “writing”, so go there first! As far as I know, there is no shopping list block, is there? For example, when I created this list article, I kicked my list around for awhile. I made changes. I did lots of moving and shuffling. Then once it reached critical mass, I put in a document and created my article.

7. Keep writer’s block away by writing daily — Just like someone who is out of shape could not run a mile in a respectable amount of time, someone who doesn’t write frequently will not be able to write high quality articles fast. You have to train your body to run, just like you must train your brain to write. And, you become a faster runner and writer through repeated practice and perseverance.

So, pick up my article writing templates at StartWritingArticlesFaster.com and put these ideas to use. You’ll be amazed how fast ideas will start racing to your mind.

Article marketing expert Eric Gruber created online marketplace opportunities for authors, small business owners, speakers and internet marketers who want more website traffic, prospects and profits. Now you can get started with writing and marketing your business with articles, by getting 3 free article templates that will help you write articles faster. Get it now at: http://www.trymyfreearticletemplates.com

A Humble Little Post About how to Kiss Your Writer’s Block Goodbye
(And Maybe Punch it in the Crotch on the way out)

I’ll always remember it. Late in the spring of ’82 when I was young and the world was spread before me like something that spreads before you when you’re young.

So I walked into the O.R. and said, “Scalpel.” The lady (I think it was probably a nurse, but who can say when everyone’s wearing a mask – it could have been some desperado in a pink outfit) handed me a scalpel. “I’m making the first incision,” I said. Then I started with the bone saw. “Oooh, look,” was my next comment. “It’s his brain.”

I poked it, and laughed HI-lariously when the fellow kicked a nearby bedpan. Another poke and he shouted “Fruity tooty love your booty!”

At this point several armed officers escorted me out of the room. But in spite of the fact that I was in prison for a while (turns out there are rules about doing brain surgery when you are not, in fact, a doctor of any kind), I’ll always have those great memories. The guy I operated on probably won’t, but that’s a risk I was willing to take.

“Wait, wait, WAIT! What the heck does this have to do with being a writer and avoiding writer’s block?” I hear you say.

To which I answer: everything, suckah.

Here’s the big secret about writer’s block: writer’s block usually doesn’t mean a writer has nothing in him or her to write; rather it usually means they do have something to write, but there’s some kind of internal crap filter that keeps them from writing it. As though there’s a part of most writers that insists that every single sentence be an appropriate calling card for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Or at least a Hugo or something.

But that’s just dumb. Not everything you write will be perfect. And it’s not supposed to be perfect. That’s what God invented re-writes for.*

So wait, now you agree I may have a point, but still aren’t getting the whole brain surgery connection. Well, it’s simple, my fine young friend.** The point of the brain surgery example is to illustrate a simple fact about writing: unless you are in charge of correspondence between hostile states, it is very likely that no matter how bad a writer you are, no one will die.

Person who does brain surgery without adequate preparation = bad (and probably dead brain surgery patient). Person who engages in writing without adequate preparation = fine-and-dandy-because-how-the-heck-else-are-you-going-to-get-good-at-it? So the stakes are low and you can write without worrying about killing someone. Takes a load off, don’t it?

And that leads to this question: You want to know how to avoid writer’s block? Answer: Just WRITE. Accept the fact some of what you write will not be fit for wiping Charley Manson’s behind. When you accept that, you can also accept that you’ll be able to go back and fix it later (thus making what you write fit for wiping the hinies of really important folks like the President or Oprah or other people who run the world).

And when you start to write with this attitude, an odd thing happens: you start to get good. You start to get fast. You start to be a writer who knows you can sit down at a moment’s notice and bang out something that resembles a good piece of work.

Example: I recently optioned a screenplay, and was asked to do some rewrites on it. I netted several tens of THOUSANDS of dollars. Total time to write the script: three days. Total time to do the rewrites: two days.

That’s a good earnings ratio.

Or how about this: I wrote a book called Billy: Messenger of Powers (which, BTW, you can get at smashwords.com or at Amazon.com). The book is pretty good: it’s currently the Highest-Rated book out of many thousands at smashwords.com, and has gotten great reviews from dozens of folks. All this to say (aside from being a really subtle way of pimping one of my books) is that the book does not stink. It is even possible to call it “good.”

It is over 180,000 words. That’s well over 400 pages in paperback format.

I wrote it – including rewrites – in a month. Because I just let myself write, and let myself enjoy it.

Writing is NOT brain surgery. It is NOT nuclear weapons testing. It is WRITING. It is something that anyone and everyone can do. And along with that fact, it is also something that anyone and everyone WILL get good at.

If they practice.

If they recognize “writer’s block” for what it really is: they’re own insecurity getting in the way of a good first draft.

If they, in a word… write.

So what are you sitting around reading this for? Go write something!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michaelbrent Collings is a lawyer, screenwriter, black-belt martial artist, father, husband, and has a killer backhand on the badminton court. He is, in a word (wait, that’s several words!), a guy going through some serious personality issues.

In addition to Billy: Messenger of Powers, Michaelbrent has also written the amazon.com suspense-thriller RUN and the sci-fi epic Celestia. He’s also written screenplays, several fairy tales, a couple of nonfiction books, and dozens of articles on a variety of subjects. He even has a blog at http://whoisbillyjones.com/mylittlethoughts/ that lets you delve into the inner creakings of a warped mind.

* Unless you don’t believe in God, in which case I guess you’re just going to burn in Hell, where you will have writer’s block forever and also will probably have to sit next to me while I smack my chewing gum very loudly.

**You may in fact be a cruddy old coot, but since we’ve never met I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. Just like you’re going to imagine me with a thick head of hair.

Nano (National Novel Writing Month) runs from November 1^st-30^th. It’s the writing frenzy where you kick out a large number of words to hopefully finish a novel in record time. Many people start the challenge and end up with a sizable number of pages by the end.

Some are inspired to start writing for the first time. Others are inspired to finish something for the first time. Some, like me, find that writing at breakneck speed produces a lower quality of work that doesn’t reflect what is normally produced when writing within your own timing.

There are ways to make speed writing more effective. The overall goal, is to produce more in a shorter period of time. If you keep this up, who knows, speed writing may become a habit.

Prepare for it

When you set out to write a novel in a short period of time, outlining is your friend. Take a few weeks to write a detailed outline of the story. It will help to work out most of the kinks before you even sit down to write. Create character profiles of the main characters and review outline before the start of your writing marathon.

Plan it

If you are going to focus on spitting out as many words as possible a day, then plan it. Block out your writing time for the month. Figure out when you are most productive. Is it in the morning, at night or midday? Make a rule – no sleep unless you have kicked out a minimum of a certain amount of words. Make sure you schedule extra time for working out of corners or temporary writer’s blocks. Make your schedule somewhat flexible so that you don’t get burned out and give up.

Write it

With a printout of your outline next to you and a bullet list of your character profile – start the race. Follow your outline. If you want to go rogue, go ahead, write until the roadblock. If you reach a road block – write anything, take some time off to think on it, then re-work your outline and get back to it. Whatever you do – don’t stop writing. Remember, you will always have to edit it.

Don’t look back

Whatever you do, don’t read over what you’ve written until you are finished. That is an easy way to get distracted. Remember, you’ll have to edit the thing many times before your piece of art is perfected. Just write forward, don’t make corrections, don’t read over it, just push forward and write.

by: LM Preston, author of The Pack and Explorer X – Alpha, www.lmpreston.com and http://lmpreston.blogspot.com

Writer’s block is one of those problems that somehow defies a clear description or explanation.

It’s tough to tie down and be clear about what it really is, simply because every writer’s experience of writer’s block is a little different.

But the end result is the same…one day we are writing well and productively. And the next day we come to a grinding halt.

Writer’s block can slow down or halt our writing progress for a couple of hours, a couple of days or for even longer.

So what’s the answer? How do we deal with it?

I won’t pretend to have the answer for everyone in every situation, but I do know of two major issues that can severely reduce our productivity as writers.

First, ask yourself whether you really WANT to be writing whatever it is you’re working on when you grind to a halt.

When we write on projects that simply don’t appeal to us, our subconscious minds have a powerful and infuriating ability to sabotage even our best efforts.

If you don’t truly want to be working on whatever it is you are writing when you’re struck by writer’s block, it may be time to step back and make some tough choices about the kinds of writing projects you should be choosing.

The second major cause of writer’s block or procrastination is when you don’t prepare for your writing task.

Whatever the projects I’m working on, I plan a structure or outline in advance. I gather together any reference materials I might need. I set aside a time for writing.

In other words, I get ready and allocate a block of time.

This means that when I start writing I can simply follow the outline from beginning to end. I don’t have to pause and wonder about what is coming next. Nor do I have to stop and do research mid-way through the writing phase.

If you confine yourself to taking on writing projects that really appeal to you, and you prepare thoroughly before you start writing, you should find yourself free of writer’s block most of the time.

For more help in putting writer’s block behind you, follow the Writing Rituals method…

If you write for a living, your income will always be dependent, in part, on how fast you write.

Putting aside physical elements, like your typing speed, much of your ability to write quickly comes down to preparation and focus.

In other words, whether you are writing an article, a web page, a white paper, a report or an e-book – the time it takes to complete each task or project will depend on how effective you are at remaining focused.

All too often writers lose time by becoming distracted, procrastinating or falling victim to writer’s block.

When this happens, a writing task that should take three hours can end up taking twice as long or more.

So how is it that some writers can just keep writing, remaining totally focused from beginning to end?

A lot of the answer lies in how well the writer prepares for each writing task.

Some writers get started, without a great deal of preparation, and stumble through the job, constantly feeling distracted by lack of information, lack of planning and the absence of a writing plan.

Other writers are meticulous in their planning. They tidy away everything that isn’t connected with the task they are about to begin. Then they gather together all the information they will be needing. They put aside a specific block of time for each assignment.

In other words, they are loaded and ready.

Top producing writers always work this way. They are disciplined and well prepared for each new task.

As a result, they write much faster, completing each project in half the time is takes their disorganized colleagues.

If you feel that you could write faster, be more productive and earn more money by finding a way to better prepare for your own writing projects, consider the Writing Rituals method. Five rituals combine to help you maximize your writing speed and productivity on every job you do.

You can learn more about the Writing Rituals method here…

Many writers struggle with what they call writer’s block. I call it a road block. I don’t tend to have writer’s block. There’s a reason why. The main reason is, as an engineer we are trained to look passed the problem, troubleshoot it and move on.

When I’ve spoken to other writers that say they are having a tough time finishing their book because they’ve reached a roadblock, I can usually say – they didn’t do an outline. Everyone has a different method of writing. Why? Well because we are all different. We require different stimulus in order to be creative. However, there are writer’s that write stuff that they hate – yet they finish it. How do they do it?

Outlining through it.

Outlining a novel is a sure fire way to actually completing it. The outline is quick and dirty. My outlines are real basic, just a chapter outline. Then I just jot down the major things that have to happen in that chapter. Now I will admit that I go rogue on my outline. When that happens I rework it – even though I just want to write. I also give myself a time limit for reworking outlines.

Just write through it.

The other method I use is, I just write through it. Remember – it’s only a first draft. You will change it many times before it is perfected. However, by writing through it, you can finish your manuscript.

Get help.

If you’re at a part in your manuscript that traps you and don’t know what your character should do next, ask for help. Research online, post a question in forums, ask your beta readers or friends for feedback. I’ve been able to work through tons of rough spots by just asking someone what they would do.

Take an active break.

Set a time for your break. I use these times to take a class. Work with a critique group. I personally don’t take more than a week if I’m not doing the above. During that time, I may beta read someone else’s stuff. Edit my other works. Research the issue. Read a good book.

Writer’s block isn’t a block. It’s when you’ve come to a point in your manuscript that you don’t know how to play something out. Writing through it works best because you will edit the thing anyway. Remember, you are not tied to your draft copy. The first draft in all cases is never the final. Well written material is usually changed over twenty or so times before it even gets to the point where it’s ready to sell.

So keep writing, even when you think you’ve painted your character into a corner. Before you know it, your manuscript will be finished.

LM. Preston is an author of young adult fiction. She started writing science fiction under the encouragement of her husband who was a Sci-Fi buff and her four kids. Her first published novel, Explorer X – Alpha was the beginning of her obsessive desire to write and create stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds. www.lmpreston.com, http://lmpreston.blogspot.com

So you finally started that novel you’ve been promising to write. And, after some false starts, you think you’ve got the hang of it. One thing for sure, you’re learning that writing is not easy. Whoever said, “I hate writing but love having written” summed this labor of love perfectly. I know this first hand. Last year this time I was where you are today. And from one writer to another I’d like to share seven tips that I found helpful for completing my book.

1. Set aside dedicated time to write. I set aside three days a week Monday through Wednesday to write. I would start at 9:00 am, take a break for brunch, and end approximately 4:00 pm. I considered this time sacrosanct – nothing short of an emergency interfered with this schedule.

2. Writer’s Block – I found that writing something, anything helped to unleash the flow of words. I didn’t edit, worry about punctuation, worry about sequence, etc. Soon some gems appeared that I could later use in my book and many times new ideas took me in directions I had not originally envisioned. Write something.

3. Keep a pad and pen by the bedside. It seems that all the good ideas come just before falling asleep or in the early dawn hours just before you’re fully awake. I found it impossible to remember that “perfect phrase” or character dialogue when I sat at the computer if I didn’t write it down. So….get used to writing in the dark – sometimes the fun comes in trying to decipher what you’ve written.

4. Have someone to bounce ideas and critique your work. Often because we are so into the story we fail to help the reader understand what we are trying to say. A friend, relative, writing group, etc., insight can prove invaluable in this respect.

5. When you have completed your manuscript, copyright your work. You can put the copyright symbol on your manuscript and that would be enough for the law’s automatic protection of your creative work. However registering officially with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington DC gives you the advantage of having a public record of copyright claim in the event of an infringement suit. It also protects your work for your heirs 70 years after your death. The fee as of this writing is only $45 – well spent. www.copyright.gov.

6. Hire a professional editor. Even if you are an English major or have a friend who teaches it, there are writing rules that go beyond typos, mistakes in grammar or redundancy that are applied to all published books (Chicago Writing Style for example). Only a professional editor can help you with this. In order to keep an eye on costs, make sure the editorial service charges by the word. It is easier to verify the cost per word versus a service that charges by the hour.

7. When you are ready to publish your book, (especially if you decide to self-publish), get your own ISBN (International Standard Book Number). This number identifies the book title and you as the publisher for marketing purposes. An ISBN is necessary if you want to sell your work in bookstores, place with distributors, wholesalers and libraries nationally and internationally. For details go to www.bowkerlink.com.

What a sense of accomplishment and pride to have committed an idea to paper and watch it grow into a book. Your book! Writing is a true labor of love.

Barbara Mitchell is a Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Stress Management Consultant. She is the author of, When You Need a Timeout, a how –to guide for reducing stress by adding “me time” to your schedule. www.thecalmingbreath.com

Authors, like everyone can get into a rut. Think you’re in a rut? If you are pondering that question, then there’s good chance you’re in one. You must know the signs such as boredom, lack of get-up-and-go etc. The reason people get in a rut is that they do the same thing all the time. It’s called a “habit.” Good ones keep us on the straight and narrow; bad ones diminish our quality of life.

In order to break free of the things that bind you and your thought process you’ve got to do something different. It’s been said you can’t expect a different result if you do the same thing all the time. Here are a few suggestions about changing your habits and getting out of a rut.

1. Find your weaknesses and make them your strengths. My weakness 16 years ago was a complete lack of computer skills. Now, it’s one of my strengths. How’d I do it? Took the time to go to classes on Microsoft products and became proficient in MS Outlook. Why does it matter? My entire day revolves around that program and I am far more efficient than ever. Furthermore, I could not do what I do without those computer skills which in themselves opened up other opportunities. Not sure what your weakness is? Ask your spouse, children, boss, coworkers etc. Believe me they’ll tell you.

2. Improve the profitability of your consulting practice. The first step, read Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss. This is my bible for consulting and should be the bible for anyone else in the consulting field. As a marketer, this has been the single most important book that has helped me establish my firm and charge the fees needed to succeed. One key point Alan makes is “don’t sell your time, sell value.” Not comprehending this fact dooms many people who try consulting and fail; they don’t charge enough for their services. My copy is so beaten up, the cover is about to come off. Why? Because I read it all the time! Furthermore, I have given this book as a gift to budding consultants so many times I’ve lost count. If you are a consultant now or want to be a consultant then read this book.

3. Travel. Hit the beach. Go to a foreign country where you have no idea about their language or culture. It’ll force you to think differently. Some of the most significant trips I have ever taken were to China and Japan where everything was different, food, culture, language etc.

4. Read something different like Poetry or business books. Get some business books like PyroMarketing, Freakonomics and read them. Break out of the mold and read something you’d never consider, like poetry. I suggest Hero Island by Stephen Wiley who was, and is a successful New Jersey attorney who decided to learn how to write poetry and became a published author. He didn’t let 50 years of being a lawyer stop him from pursuing a dream. www.heroisland.com

5. Do something exciting. Take a hot air balloon ride; take kiteboard lessons, go sailing on a barefoot cruise for a week in the Caribbean where you are part of the crew doing the work. When you’re focused on sailing your subconscious mind will help you get free of things that trap you in the rut.

6. Meet your fears and conquer them. Can’t stand heights? Learn how to parachute. Don’t like to go underwater? Learn how to scuba dive. Don’t like raw fish? Eat some sushi. Force yourself to do something you don’t want to do. You’ll be better for it.

The bottom line? You are the captain of your own ship. Start calling the shots and get out of that rut!

Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm which specializes in book marketing and author promotion. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC Nightly News, ESPN, The New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Family Circle, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few. To discuss how Westwind Communications helps its clients get all the publicity they deserve and more visit www.westwindcos.com or call 734-667-2090 or email scottlorenz@westwindcos.com.