Beating Writer's Block: Making Changes (and how to apply them)

As writers, we are innately prone to brain lock. Our brains just fizzle up and all of the sudden -- nothing. Not a word. No thought, no plot, no sound, no muse, no nerve impulses – nothing. Our brains refuse to make a connection to our fingertips and we fall prey to what is, naturally, our worst enemy: writer’s block.

Writer’s block is a scary thing. Writers depend on writing to make money. When we can no longer process words or write a single sentence, that’s an extremely scary ordeal. Writer’s block is the writer’s version of depression; in fact, many writers feel depressed when they experience it. They feel as though all of their creativity has died. But feel is the key word in that sentence. Their creativity is still there; it’s merely locked deep inside their cerebellum or something (I don’t really know – I’m not a brain surgeon).

Unlocking Your Brain

The simplest way to unlock your brain and beat writer’s block (with a shovel) is to make some changes. Changes are simple to make. Nobody stagnates; humans are constantly changing. The key is to know how/when/where/why to do it.

Knowing how to change might seem like an abstract concept, but it really isn’t. Whatever you’re doing right now, do the opposite. If you’re the type of writer who literally sits in front of the computer all the time, typing away, your brain is probably overworked. Back away slowly from the computer (pry your fingers form the keyboard if need be) and then run far, far away and head straight to the nearest television. Do NOT watch TV on your computer (sorry Hulu fans). Watch an actual TV. Don’t read, because that keeps your mind in the whole literary mode. Dumb yourself down and watch some good old-fashioned television.

Watch whatever you like – it doesn’t matter. Let what you are watching seep into your mind and consume it. Suffering from writer’s block is the only time when it’s excusable to become a zombie television-watcher. If you’re lucky, what you’re watching will inspire you. You can’t copy it, obviously; that would be plagiarism. But let what you’re seeing expand your mind. It’ll free you and relax you; when that happens, ideas will start to seep in. Write your ideas down, but don’t write the full-on story just let. Allow yourself to mull it over in your brain. If you’re so addicted to the idea that you can’t leave it alone, you’re ready to get back to the business of writing.

The Other Type of Writer

On the opposite end of the workaholic writer, we have the mellow one, the type of writer who piddles around the house all day making tea (or coffee) until finally, an idea strikes them and they write. Still, this type of writer can also suffer writer’s block. And still yet, this type of writer can also overcome it; however, the way they are most likely to overcome it is rather different from the former example.

The mellow type of writer who happens to be a writer’s block sufferer does best when they put their butt in gear and get to work. This type of writer is too relaxed and need’s a good kick in the pants to get their ideas rolling. A mellow writer needs to actively search for ideas to unlock their brain. They need to get online and look at pictures, videos, read fanfics even – anything that makes them think and sparks an idea.

The Main Point in Beating Writer’s Block

The best remedy for overcoming writer’s block is to get ideas flowing and get yourself into a state of mind where you are capable of writing them down coherently. Play around with each method, or you can even invent your own. Find out what works for you and you’ll be saying adios to writer’s block woe in no time.