Most of us have suffered from writer’s block, feelings of self-doubt, and just general worry about whether or not we can make it as a writer in the real world. Often when one or more of these things becomes a problem it can cause us to stop writing, sometimes to give it up all together. We may let our internal editor, or our parent(s), spouse, friends whomever win when it comes to our writing, or maybe we are successful in a financial sense but our writing has become about requested projects, and meeting the deadline. In short writing the thing we love becomes a chore rather than a joy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 10 techniques you can use right now to rediscover your writing bliss.
1. Give your creativity another outlet occasionally. For example take a ceramics, watercolor, or beading class. Learn to be creative in other ways besides writing. You’ll be amazed at how much this enriches your writing as well as your life in general.
2. Write something completely different from what you normally do. Are you a novelist? Write something non-fiction like an article or report instead. You might just discover a whole new way to look at your writing. If you normally write non-fiction try your hand at a short story or poem.
3. Take a field trip. Get in your car or ride the bus somewhere you’ve never been before, maybe a part of town that has little shops, art galleries, or a large park where you can follow a stream or river and just ruminate.
4. Go for a walk, at least 30 minutes long. Take a camera along with you and snap pictures of people, trees, flowers, or anything that catches your eye. You might see something you can use later in your writing.
5. Remember those pictures you took on your walk? Make copies or a second set of prints and use them in freeform collage (see my article Using Freeform Collage to Boost Creativity).
6. Create what I fondly call a “bitch list”. During those times when it seems like you just aren’t getting the support you need from your significant other, friend, or relative, or maybe even your co-workers sit down and write out a list of all the things they’ve done, or said which are bugging you. Use this opportunity to throw a mental temper tantrum, let your inner child out and allow him/her to have a good pitch objects, screaming meanie fit. No one needs to see your list. If you are a spiritual person you can even use this opportunity to say a prayer for change, burn the list in a fireproof dish, then let the wind have the ashes (make sure they are completely cool before doing this). It’s amazing how cathartic this can be when you are feeling frustrated and mad.
7. Remember crayons and coloring books? I’ve always thought it was a shame that we leave such things behind once we’re supposedly grown. This technique requires you to find pictures you like, these can be family photos, drawings from books, or pictures from magazines. Once you find them make black and white copies and keep them in a folder or three ring binder for those days when you are not feeling supported as a writer. When it’s time, pick one of the pictures and color it in with crayons, colored pencils or even paints. Play some relaxing music while you’re at it. I think you will find the act of doing this will help your writing mind to come up with new ideas, as well as help you to feel nurtured and supported.
8. Take a candlelit bath or shower. I personally prefer a bath for this exercise, but a shower can work too. Depriving some of your senses by taking away artificial light allows the mind to relax and quiet down, and hence allows the space for new ideas.
9. Watch a movie that has information on your current writing topic. If you are a novelist watch a movie in your genre. I’m not suggesting you steal someone else’s idea, but merely that you may come up with a new angle on your story by watching what someone else has created. If you write non-fiction you can still do this by finding a documentary on your topic, or even a fictional movie. It’s amazing how you can get ideas about your own project just by watching someone else’s angle on the same topic.
10. Create a list of ideas. Maybe coming up with ideas to write about is a problem? If so during those times when you are feeling especially full of ideas make a list of topics to write about or plots for stories or both. Then when you are feeling as if you will never write again you can pull this list out and use it to move on to another project. You can also do this during a particularly large and frustrating project, some ideas will require less work to complete than others. You could pick one of your ideas and write an article just so you have that feeling of having completed something while you’re still working on your larger project.
I have used all of these techniques to help me get back into my writing bliss, and they all work. Even if you choose to only try one or two of these ideas I know you will rediscover your writing bliss in no time!
