The best way to start writing is...to start writing. Writer's block is something that many writer's have struggled with every now and again. Though there is no way to pinpoint what triggers it, there can be many things, such as a stagnant daily routine, lack of sleep...or simply the author is or has been writing a lot of blogs or books... or both!
While sometimes getting out to visit new places and enjoy new scenery will do the trick, one other way is to simply begin writing.
As far as what to write? Don't pressure yourself. Just open up a blank document, put your fingers on the keyboard and type away. Or if a notepad and pencil are your thing, open up a crispy white page and start writing.
It doesn't need the next best-selling novel or even a mind-boggling blog. It could easily just be something that has been on your mind. Perhaps it's a rant. Perhaps it's that letter you've been wanting to send to someone but never did. Perhaps it's all of the worries that lay haphazardly on your mind, taking up space and preventing you from writing that masterpiece!
Whatever it is, just write it. It doesn't even need to make sense. I've found that when writer's block hits me like a ton of bricks, if walking away and taking in new sights doesn't help, then my trusty keyboard will allow me to clear out the clutter and help reignite a spark to that creativity.
Have you ever done this and if so, has it helped?
I am going to check out your poems soon.
I didn't grow up with computers, but now I can't live without them. I do all of my work on a computer and like you, I learned the hard way to back up everything several times. I preach this frequently to others as it is one awful feeling when you lose ALL of your hard work!
I'd love to be able to write a lot with pen and paper, but my right hand had surgery a few years back for "Trigger Finger" and since then, my handwriting is awful and extremely slow. I much prefer typing to writing.
I've heard of Dragon but I've never used it. A friend of mine writes her books using that and is a great alternative for those who prefer to dictate or cannot type/write. That is an awesome suggestion, Ron, and thanks for sharing that!
Hope that you have a fabulous day and thanks so much for your comment! I hope that you get your book published soon on the true stories of hitchhikers!
Best regards,
Liz
I have never suffered from writers block. However, a time or two, while trying to think of the poem to write for my weekly post, I have had to think for five minutes or so to come up with an idea. Once I start writing, I usually finish the poem within 15 minutes. And then come back a day later and look at it to see if I can improve it.
I grew up with computers, and don't understand people putting things down on paper. I started my first book in the spring of 1971 on paper. It was true stories of hitchhikers I had encountered on the road. In the fall I went off to study for my doctorate. I lost all track of what I wrote. But it's one of the many stories I still have to tell. All I have to do is just pick it up again and start writing. My memory is still quite good.
Getting back to the original thought. With computers I've been able to store my work and edit it much easier (since 1972 with word processing). After losing hard drives through viruses and accidental erasure, I have learned to backup everything several times and have not lost a single major computer script (not manuscript) since. With the Internet, since 1997, most of my work is nearly immortal.
I started on my first voice dictation system about 1995, because my hands are paralyzed and with my hand splint I have been only able to type with one finger. With much difficulty, I dictated my second novel in 2001. I am dictating this with Dragon Dictate. I have found that using dictation greatly increases my writing ability and my stories become more fluid with almost perfect spelling. Just a suggestion to add to your good ones.
Ron
Writers Are (Born) Innate...
TRASK....