We’ve all been there, that moment when you need to finish off a report, but for some reason tidying your office or making that cup of tea seems to take precedent. Anything to put off getting the writing done!
Writer’s block is caused by a variety of factors: creative burnout, lack of motivation, self-doubt, fear of failure, stress and other external pressures. Sometimes it can be due to a temporary loss of inspiration, difficulty finding the right words or simply a lack of clear direction.
So here are my five top tips for bursting writer’s block:
- Plan, plan and plan some more: It may sound odd – but most great business writers and journalists actually spend more time planning than they do writing. Investing time in some quality thinking at the beginning of your document, will make the whole process easier and add clarity to your message.
- Don’t get it right; get it written: A university tutor gave me this advice a long time ago. It’s based on the idea that it is easier to edit something, rather than to stare at a blank page of nothing. Just set aside a specific amount of time to write whatever comes to mind, don’t worry about quality or structure, you can edit that later.
- Take a break: Sometimes stepping away from a document can help clear the mind and recharge your creative batteries. Exercise is often a great way for the mind to “switch off”.
- Change your environment: A change of scenery can really help stimulate creativity and break through writer’s block. Try sitting in a part of your office you don’t go to normally or maybe a library or coffee shop. Even the smallest of changes can jolt the brain back into action.
- Try the ‘dinner party’ conversation: OK, so this may be a little ‘out there’, but try explaining what you have to write about to a friend, as if you were at a dinner party! You don’t want to bore them, so you need to think about the clarity, brevity and impact of your message. This helps you formulate your plan and if you listen to questions they may have at the end, these are likely to be the questions your reader may have once they’ve read your document.
All of these challenges, and more, are topics we cover in our Writing Dynamics™ workshop. An interactive, 2-day workshop ideal for individuals and whole teams.
- Find out more about the Writing Dynamics™ workshop.
- See the workshop in action at one of our free online demos.
Happy writing!
Robert
