Sometimes it's hard to find the motivation to start writing. And sometimes, even after you've started, you can't seem to get anywhere. This post will give you some tips on how to deal with writers block and get back into the swing of things.
This is a common dilemma among all writers. And even though it's frustrating to face, the key to overcoming this issue comes down to planning and motivation.
If you've spent time creating an idea file (a collection of files containing ideas for your writing), choosing a topic can easily become the next challenging part of completing your work.
Here are some tips on how to overcome writers block when it comes to picking topics:
The first tip I'd like to give is about pre-selecting topics that you're passionate about. Pick something that appeals to your interests and will keep you focused on what you're writing instead of what's happening in front of your computer screen.
Let's say that you love cooking or painting; you could write about the history of pasta, or how to mix acrylic paint. When you feel engaged in your topic, it makes it easier to put words on paper.
Another good way to pre-select topics is to look at past writing samples for inspiration. You can also read back through any writing logs you've kept so far this year. And when looking through your work, ask yourself what has interested you since the day you started keeping a log.
The answers might surprise you! Lastly, think about what kinds of things people are always asking you about. That's probably because they're curious and want to know more so why not share that information with them?
The next tip I'd like to give is about using prompts as an inspiration. This works well if you feel like your brain is scrambled for ideas or even worse, empty! Get out a sheet of paper and jot down five to seven prompts.
Then grab one of your topics from the idea file or logbook and see how many words you can write off those prompts. You might be surprised by what comes out!
Another tip about using prompts as inspiration is to create a list with at least ten questions related to your topic, then answer them later on in the writing process. For example, if you were going to write about New York City, you could ask yourself things like:
What makes New York City an iconic city?
What's it like living there?
What are the most common tourist attractions in New York?etc..
Now that you've got your topics and prompted, it's time to get started with your writing! Make sure you set out a specific amount of time for yourself; try committing to spending an hour or two each day writing.
It also helps if you write something everyday by keeping a daily log. If you do this, it will help motivate you because every day that goes by where you don't write, feels like wasted time.
End Game 🎯
Writers block can be frustrating but that doesn't mean it should stop you from writing. Use these tips as inspiration to overcome writers block and continue creating great pieces of work!
I bet you the Prompt idea is always the best especially finding a challenge topic for yourself and challenge yourself. I have a lots of prompt words being sent to me through emails and I must say, it helps me avoid writer's block and sometimes, I still write something about how I ended up having writer's block. With this, you would see yourself writing each time you want.