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How do YOU deal with writer's block?

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by Tudi, Jan 6, 2008.

  1. #1
    If you're a writer, you've most likely been there...staring down a blank sheet or a blank Word document, fingers anxious to write but brainblocked. Too many articles written on the same subject, too little pause time between batches or some external problems can all very well be the spark that causes a writer's block. So how do you guys and girls deal with it?

    Personally, if my deadlines permit it, I take an entire day off, from writing AND reading anything. I'll just go swim, run or play football (soccer) to take my mind off work a bit. I sleep in early and if I'm not tired, I watch another episode of "FRIENDS" for the fourth time, just so I don't think of writing until I doze off.

    It works! The next day I'm as fresh as crystal spring dew running down the butt cheek of a virgin.
     
    Tudi, Jan 6, 2008 IP
  2. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #2
    I'm lucky in that I run several sites of my own, in a few different niches. So if I'm feeling slightly brain-dead on one topic, I can give another one a try.

    If I really just don't feel like writing, I don't write. I'll do other work (I run a PR firm full-time, so I do have non-writing-related work with several clients), or I'll work on the back-end of one of my sites or marketing one of them.

    Anything worse than that, and I watch a TV show or movie or go for a walk to completely detach from work for a little while.
     
    jhmattern, Jan 6, 2008 IP
  3. bluewriter

    bluewriter Banned

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    #3
    My solution to writer's block is to meet the problem head on: I write.

    It makes me more fidgety when I leave work, especially when the deadline's just around the corner. To "force" myself to write, I do an outline. Having an outline gives me a feeling that I'm halfway done with the article, seeing those contents glaring back at me. And when you're halfway done with work, the only thing left for you to do is to finish it off, right? ;)
     
    bluewriter, Jan 6, 2008 IP
  4. INEEDCONTENT

    INEEDCONTENT Guest

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    #4
    er , hum, well, er, well, hum
     
    INEEDCONTENT, Jan 7, 2008 IP
    Weirfire likes this.
  5. Tudi

    Tudi Peon

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    #5
    Going to try this, thanks :)
     
    Tudi, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  6. MarketingMiller

    MarketingMiller Peon

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    #6
    I do what bluewriter does!

    All I do is just write write write... even if what I'm doing doesn't make sense.

    I know it sounds stupid but it gets you back on track quick...

    And after you get experienced you wont get writers block often which is pretty cool :)

    Mark
     
    MarketingMiller, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  7. Tudi

    Tudi Peon

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    #7
    I usually tend to block when I have to write huge amounts of articles on a subject I don't particularly enjoy. Happened to me on "hardwood floors" a couple of weeks back :-z I'm over it now *cheers*
     
    Tudi, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  8. Sagar Mehta

    Sagar Mehta Peon

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    #8
    I usually try and write something - anything - on the topic that I'm supposed to write on. That way, I at least end up with a rough draft that I can improve upon later. This helps me stay productive.

    If it's getting to much to tackle, I just take a break. I'm lucky enough to have a couple of lakes in my town so I go there and hang out. I do some soul searching, think of other things - just to deviate myself from the MAIN stream. When I get back, I'm all fresh and ready to start again :)

    Warmest Regards,
    Sagar
     
    Sagar Mehta, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  9. Tudi

    Tudi Peon

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    #9
    Speaking of writing outlines and rough drafts. What I also tried out, with some success, is writing the title of the article and the headings. This way I'm tricking my mind into thinking that it's easier to write 4 x 150 word paragraphs than a 600 words article. Works most of the times.
     
    Tudi, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  10. godofwriting

    godofwriting Banned

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    #10
    Well, I almost NEVER get blocked because the way I see it, the "block" is a result of your analytical (left) brain trying to constantly judge what your creative (right) brain is bringing to you in the form of ideas. When this happens, the right brain stops functioning so you don't get confused.

    This means that unless you let the analytical part of the brain enter the picture, you won't really get "blocked"; your creative cogs will keep spinning and you can milk your neurons for as long as you wish.

    To do this, what I do is: I first complete all the research I need on the topic at hand, collecting as many points as necessary; then I just read the points and just type or write whatever comes to my mind on my notepad. I do this all in random without judging what I write. I later come back and revise it and put it all together. Believe it or not, this saves me lots and lots of time and I usually exceed expectations in terms of both quality and quantity. So, the key for me is to never block the creative side of the brain. Nerds call this process 'brainstorming'.

    And so basically, when it comes to writing, I'm always fresh like a scientist that woke up off of a wet dream ;)

    Oh and by the way, "Friends" is totally gay :p Can't believe people still watch that when shows like South Park are around :rolleyes:
     
    godofwriting, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  11. WriterMLH

    WriterMLH Peon

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    #11
    When I have writer's block especially on a hard topic I usually leave the computer and think about what I would like to include in the article. If I don't stare at the screen while thinking I can usually cure the block. If that doesn't work, I give it a day or a few hours and try again.
     
    WriterMLH, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  12. vabeaty

    vabeaty Well-Known Member

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    #12
    I normally get away from the computer and talk to someone about what I need to be writing. Explaining the topic to them normally lifts my block and I'm ready to go. My poor husband knows alot of things that he wishes he didn't because of me:p
     
    vabeaty, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  13. bluewriter

    bluewriter Banned

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    #13
    LOL :D I can imagine your difficulty.

    I've had this project, seo writing, that drove me to nuts. Had to write articles based on these keywords:

    "indian remedy for bed bugs"
    "good night sleep tight don't let the bed bugs bite"

    And you have to use these keywords 11 times. That's for a 700 word article.

    Terrible.

    I turned down the client the next time around. I said that I don't write for bots. After that, he never gave me that kind of project. Ever.

    Whew!
     
    bluewriter, Jan 7, 2008 IP
  14. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #14
    My son's teacher encourages them to do "15-minute Friday". They pick some words and write for 15 minutes without any regard to grammar, punctuation or spelling. (She's a stickler for that other times.) The idea is to get the creative juices flowing.

    I can't say I have writer's block. But I often get people who want a title of an invitation or something and expect me to spout one out in 5 seconds. I think people are unaware that you sometimes pull your guts out trying to get a good headline and that it's something you work to find.
     
    webgal, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  15. Tudi

    Tudi Peon

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    #15
    Lol bluewriter. I can imagine...I understand the purpose of optimizing content on long-tail keywords, but "good night sleep tight don't let the bed bugs bite" is way-way-way-long-tail.

    I think writer's block may also be triggered by what you're getting paid for. For example I get more ambition and focus on projects that pay better than on the ones that coincide with my average rates.
     
    Tudi, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  16. Cylon

    Cylon Peon

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    #16
    porn. I watch it and clear my mind.
     
    Cylon, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  17. Tudi

    Tudi Peon

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    #17
    But how can you write with just one hand afterwards?
     
    Tudi, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  18. godofwriting

    godofwriting Banned

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    #18
    You don't have to watch porn and write at the same time. Of course, that might be a good option for some but I imagine it would be quite uncomfortable. I've never tried it but maybe today.....

    :D
     
    godofwriting, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  19. rayaan

    rayaan Peon

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    #19
    This thread is getting really juicy - I am almost sorry to shift the focus back to writer's block again. :D

    But seriously, I just write. It might be awful gibberish, but that's what editing is for! :)
     
    rayaan, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  20. zac439

    zac439 Notable Member

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    #20
    I've never had writer's block for any of my journalism ventures.

    Really, the only problem I've ever run into was internet addiction. Shutting off any email notifications, subscriptions, and any other distractions while I write has done wonders for efficiency.

    If you see journalism as a job, you don't really get writer's block. Not from my experience, anyhow.
     
    zac439, Jan 8, 2008 IP