Writer’s block – sadly, it happens to all of us. Few things are worse than hitting the proverbial wall, especially in a field like PR, where writing is a daily requirement, be it for emails, media briefings, pitch materials or content development.
When you find yourself stuck, the magic question becomes, “How can I get the creative juices flowing again?” It’s not always easy, but fortunately, there are a few tricks that may jumpstart the process. This infographic from EnchantingMarketing.com details tips every writer can use for discovering their writing genius. Here are a few helpful pointers for getting unstuck with your writing.
Breaks can lead to breakthroughs
We’ve all sat at our keyboards mentally trying to fight through writer’s block, and often, it doesn’t work. When this happens, try giving your mind a break to allow your brain to recover from strenuous mental activity. As the infographic points out, our brains need to relax, too. Make time to play.
“During ‘off-time’ our brains continue to process ideas,” the infographic states. “So, breaks can give us extra insights, boost creativity, and make our writing better.”
Stay creative – feed your muse with new and creative experiences
To create, you need creative input. Inspiration comes from many different sources. Pursue those activities that excite and inspire you. Read books, have conversations. This can help feed your “creative well.”
Additionally, allow yourself to experience growth. Challenge yourself to stray from your comfort zone and explore new horizons. This can entail adopting a new writing technique or taking on a project with a new client. Yes, there’s a reason why people avoid leaving their comfort zones – it’s unfamiliar and can be difficult and scary. However, it can also lead to growth, and ultimately, satisfaction.
“When you stay in your creative comfort zone, you risk going stale,” the infographic states.
Befriend your inner critic
Sometimes, the person who is hardest on you can be yourself. It can be easy to overly criticize your writing. However, having an inner critic doesn’t have to be a bad thing, so long as you can avoid being overly critical and realize that the inner critic is likely your way of trying to bring about your best work.
For a healthy balance, try befriending your inner critic. Evaluate where you see room for growth in your writing and determine what is sustainable for your situation. What’s realistic for you to achieve? This can help you work with that inner voice, focus on the project at hand and make effective progress.
The writing process is painful. Embrace this.
Ernest Hemingway once said, “The first draft of anything is s***.” Unfortunately, this is accurate more often than not, especially when leaving your comfort zone. No masterpiece is captured on the first try.
Again, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing – a first draft is progress toward a greater end result. The revision process can be messy, but don’t give up. This is how writers work out the cobwebs and kinks in their writing – and demonstrate growth with each writing project. Each revision will help make your writing tighter and more focused.
Find your writing joy
Finding joy in your writing can lead to increased productivity while eliminating distractions. The infographic shows that writing joy is associated with maintaining a keen focus on the writing process. Joy can help propel your progress.
“When you focus on the work in front of you, you get into a flow and find pleasure in creating something that didn’t exist before,” the infographic states.
When it happens, writing joy is undeniable. Your best work will come when pursuing what interests you most and your enthusiasm will shine through.
As the infographic notes, “Even when you feel empty, you still have ideas, experiences, and stories to share.” In those moments when you’re feeling mentally drained, hold on to these words of wisdom, and refer to these tips to help guide you back onto your creative path.
8 questions to ask yourself when dealing with writer’s block
- What do you need to keep your soul happy and your brain cells humming along?
- Which kinds of input keep you inspired?
- How will you tiptoe out of your comfort zone?
- How can you be friends with your inner critic?
- When do you stumble in the writing process? And how can you get unstuck?
- Which distractions keep you from doing your best work?
- Who are your creative heroes? What can you learn from them?
- How can you make time to follow your curiosity and do your best work?
To see the full infographic via EnchantingMarketing.com, click here.