Well, hello blog readers. I haven’t written very much in this new blog because I’ve been so busy with work. I guess, in some ways, that’s a good problem to have. On the other hand, I really want to get this blog off the ground. One of the biggest challenges I’ve been facing since I wrote last is “writers block.”
I’m even experiencing a little bit of writer’s block right now as I try to write this blog post. The good news is, I’ve figured out that writer’s block is a symptom of something else. Now when I have writer’s block, I look for the cause. If I can eliminate the thing causing the writer’s block, I can get back to writing. When I get writer’s block, it’s usually a symptom of one of the following three things:
1. Getting Started Blues
Diagnosis: I’m trying too hard to start at the beginning.
Cure: Write from the bottom (or middle) up.
Yep, sometimes I just want to write the title before I write the article/piece because it’s at the top of the page. I also want to compose a brilliant, snappy and interesting introduction before I delve into the meat of the article. News flash to myself: that doesn’t always work very well. It’s very easy to get stuck on the title or the first paragraph and feel all blocked up.
I’ve learned not to dwell on the opening of my articles, but to start with the section I am the most ready to write and work out from there. Sometimes this means starting in the middle of the article and occasionally it means writing the last paragraph first. Allowing myself to start somewhere other than the introduction fits the bill when I’m stuck at the starting line.
2. 15 Pages of Notes Anxiety
Diagnosis: I’m overwhelmed with information.
Cure: Get organized.
Nothing is better than getting four or five rich interviews for my upcoming article. With three pages of notes from each one, I’m sitting pretty – now all I have to do is write, right? Guess again Julie. Last week I sat in my chair staring down fifteen pages of notes and my editor’s suggestions wondering how I was going to make any sense of it. After staring for an hour or so and avoiding the issue by updating my facebook status seventeen times, I realized what I needed to do: get organized.
I started by creating an outline of the points my editor wanted me to cover. Then, I read through the interviews and marked the quotes that matched the editor’s points. I also marked other quotes and sections of my notes that would make good sidebars or additional points for discussion in the article. Then, I went through and created an outline for the article, organizing the points in order so that they flowed together. Once I had a good outline, the words seemed to flow out of me.
3. Distraction Fever
Diagnosis: I am not focusing.
Cure: Find an adequate working environment and shut out distractions.
My iTunes is blasting out some angst-filled music and I’ve got facebook, twitter and AIM open. I’m chatting with one friend about the state of politics, another about the upcoming holiday and yet another about socks. In the meantime, the writing I’m supposed to be doing is staring me in the face. “Don’t worry,” I tell my friend, “I’ve got a little writer’s block right now.” Guess what Julie? YOU NEED TO FOCUS. As silly as it seems, I’m a natural born multi-tasker, so sometimes I don’t realize that I’m really distracting myself. I will even rationalize it to myself and my nearest and dearest. “Oh, I need stimulation to write.” Yeah, what I need is to turn on some instrumental music, shut off all the social media programs, find a well-lit space and woodshed.
If you’re all blocked up, step back and take a good hard look at your working environment. Even if you think you’re a great multi-tasker who works better with distraction, try going to a coffee shop or library and writing without any distractions. Turn off the internet if you have to! You may notice an immediate productivity increase. Focus is necessary for me to write quickly, cleanly and well. Finding focus in a good working environment often stops the block right in its tracks.
Writer’s block can be a real pain when you are writing for a living. I’m sure that different things help unblock different people. The above three are mine – what are yours? I’d love to hear the reasons you get blocked and the ways you cure it. I’m sure as I figure out how to get unblocked my mind will find new ways to get stopped up.
Have a great Turkey Day everyone!
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