The most effective tool I have for curing writer’s block consists of two words: Just Write.
That’s all it takes- Just Write. Stop thinking and do. Stop worrying about whether the words flow or if they make sense and Just Write. The most important part of this exercise isn’t trying to write a sonnet that would make Shakespeare weep or a book that would make Mark Twain jealous.
The point and purpose is to remove the mental stumbling block that you created for yourself. Yes, you are the source and the solution. That provides you with an incredible opportunity and an exceptional amount of power. How many problems do you face in your life where you always have the tools on hand to fix your situation.
This is part of why so many writing classes talk about the importance of practice. This is why so many of those classes recommend that you write daily. When you write daily you train your brain to respond to your call to action. You train it to adapt to whatever situation you face and overcome the challenges that may make calling out your words difficult.
My personal practice is to engage in free writing. I just write about whatever comes to mind without regard or concern for topic, length or substance. It is a practice that some people disagree with. I have been told by more than one person that you should never post anything that lacks substance but I wholeheartedly disagree with that. You don’t know what is going to resonate with people and you don’t want to waste time worrying about that.
Just Write. The advantage and benefits of free writing are easy to illustrate. It takes something that feels exceptionally hard and complex and makes it simple. It provides you with a simple way to remind your brain that you know how to do this. When you let go and stop worrying about what you are writing the words start to come and you will find that ideas suddenly pop into your mind.
You’ll feel more relaxed and that in itself will yield all sorts of benefits. I suppose that it is fair to say that relaxation is what we are looking for. The goal is to let go of your fear/anger/frustration. Let go of whatever it is that is holding things up for you and watch the words roll off of your fingertips.
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Craig McBreen November 27, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Jack,
My goal is now to write at least an hour each weekday morning. I’ve tried to do this consistently, but sometimes life gets in the way or my client load is simply too much, and I have to focus on my business, because, well, it puts food on the table.
I do love the process though and want to become a bette writer. Wish I would have started writing earlier in my life, but nothing wrong with a late bloomer, right?
Also, thanks for the reminder that freeform writing is A-okay. I have not really done this and tent to edit as I write. I’ll try and loosen up a bit and hopefully get better in the process.
Jack November 28, 2011 at 12:18 am
Hi Craig,
It is really easy to over think things which is why I suggest free writing. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t value in writing based upon a prompt or guideline because there is merit to that too.
But a big part of writing is the ability to just do it which is why I push people to write without worry or regard for “perfection.”
Craig McBreen November 28, 2011 at 10:27 am
I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so am working on free writing. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks!
Bill Dorman November 27, 2011 at 5:07 am
Interesting; because I’m only posting once a week I tend not to write daily if ‘commenting’ doesn’t count.
Maybe I should start carving out at least 30 minutes a day for ‘writing’ and see where that takes me.
I don’t think I will get to the point I will ‘write for money’ but I do like to write so I might as well get better at it, huh?
Jack November 27, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Got just a quick moment to reply but if want to get better practice is a big part of it.
Later on I plan on writing about The Muppet Movie and how it relates to curing writer’s block. Stay tuned.