The Writers Blog

There are times however when we can suffer from the terror and fear that is “Writers Block”.

Here I sit absolutely terrified of the worst enemy a writer can have – the blank page. And, of course, the closer the deadline gets, this horrible monster, this block is turning me into a nervous wreck.

That’s it, I’m finished. I have nothing left to say that is going to add any value (as I stare at two pads of research notes).

Irrational? Of course it is. Writer’s block, however, can strike the experienced and the novice at any time, usually unannounced. What’s important is how we deal with it.

Every writer I know has trouble writing. ~Joseph Heller

• Planning and Preparation. You have written before successfully. How? Probably because you spent time thinking about the project and not the writing of it. You thought it through, developed your plan and ensured you were well prepared before you hit the first key or put pen to paper.

• Forget about the perfect opening paragraph. Yes, I know how important it is. In fact, forget about the dreaded opening sentence. Look, you’ve written excellent pieces before – did you get it right first time? I doubt it.Nobody is going to see it until you give them permission. Give yourself permission to just write. Perfectionism is for procrastinators. Start writing.
• Are you a writer or an editor? Hey, I am not demeaning the role or function of editing. It’s just that there needs to be something to edit. So, write. Use your P.C. or pen and paper, I don’t care, just write. Get your thoughts down, write from the heart. Ah, now there it is, a tangible being. Now you can think about editing, rewriting, revalidating with your research.
• Forget the finished article (no pun intended). If you are still struggling, create a mini project. Write your outline first. Complete the mini project. Now, be comfortable that you have the skills, knowledge and all your research material to develop your mini project into your intended full project.
• Create the environment that is right for you to succeed. The environment we need within which to concentrate can vary dramatically from person to person, from noise free to music blaring – create the one that’s right for you.

An old racetrack joke reminds you that your program contains all the winners’ names. I stare at my typewriter keys with the same thought. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic’s Notebook, 1960

That was an extract from my latest guide 101 Ways To Cure Your Writing Paranoia,

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