The Problem: Blog Writer’s Block
You may have been there already: you start your blog with a hiss and a roar. “I’ll write a new post every week.”
Then a few days pass, you write one article, maybe two and then you start to fade. The dreaded blog writer’s block.
What’s to be done?
As one writer said, one of the most threatening and terrifying things in the world is a blank piece of paper.
How can you get past this?
The Solution: Free Writing – Letting Your Pen Run Free
One method is to just start writing. Otherwise known as free form writing, you simply sit down, grab your paper or flip on your computer and just start writing or typing. It’s that simple.
Brainstorming on Paper.
A cure for blog writer’s block in a nutshell:
- grab a piece of paper (real or virtual)
- decide on a minimum amount of time to concentrate on writing (say 15 minutes) – set a timer if you can
- write your topic or keyword at the top of the page
- now write and don’t look back (yet)
- keep writing until times up (go on if you can)
- minimal editing: forget about keyword density, SEO, punctuation, grammar, even spelling,
- set the paper down and leave for a day or two
Get a piece of paper or a blank document, put your keyword or topic at the top of the page. Get a timer, set it for 15 min (or 30 min), and then start writing. Stop when the timer rings, but until then just write or try to. Sure you can pause, take a moment to gather the thoughts and then get them down on paper.
The one thing you don’t do is to look back and read what you’ve written. (Don’t worry you’ll get you chance later)
It’s a bit like brainstorming on paper. There are no bad ideas, maybe a little bad grammar and spelling.
Aside from maybe punctuation and capitalisation (you need to know at least where paragraphs and sentences start and end) you keep the editing to a minimum. You might fix up spellng errors (if these things bother you) but you can even sacrifice this if it threatens the flow.
Stop on the Timer – Not Before
When the timer rings, stop. If you have more to write keep going. The main aim of the timer is to get you to concentrate for a set amount of time. If you can keep going beyond the time you set, all power to you.
I recommend you have an upper limit maybe 30 min or an hour. If only to ensure you get other work done. The upper limit is really a personal call and will depend on your other priorities (for example if you are writing a book and this is your priority you might give your three or four hours).
Start Small – Short Intervals
When you start, I recommend starting with a short interval – 10-15 minutes – simply because it is more likely you can concentrate for a short time than long times. This is only to start. As with all things, the more you practice, the longer you will be able to concentrate. Of course, with practice you may find you can finish an article in less time than before too!
As with many things, breaking something into small chunks will help make it less daunting and more achievable. You will also feel a greater sense of accomplishment.
Let Your Writing Rest
When you’re done. Take the paper or save the document and don’t look at again for one day or two days. Don’t edit it or anything until then. Free form writing is like making a good curry: if you let it rest, it will become more flavorsome and spicy – okay maybe not!
Free Writing Tools To Help Cure Blog Writer’s Block
I do my writing using either a simple text application (I use Textwrangler, PC users can use notepad) or sometimes if I really want to concentrate I use Ommwriter.
The key feature of Ommwriter is that when it runs, it fills your entire screen – visually blocking out all distractions including other applications (they continue to run in the background). It has minimal formatting options (read: minimal distractions) and also has a choice of seven soothing soundtracks you can play while writing (or you can run silent).
It is a beta but pretty stable (it autosaves every three minutes just in case) and is free to download from www.Ommwriter.com.
Next time…
Next time I’ll look at some editing you can do to help make your article more readable.
Till then, let you mind, pen or fingers run free…
Wasabihound
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