Just Write and stop thinking about getting it Right! (Wow did I ever just contradict the model of this blog). I'm talking about writers block. Too many aspiring writers concentrate so hard on getting every little thing perfect as they write that they don't get much writing done. Even worse is that later on some find that what they had originally written is not what they had intended at all and now they have to rewrite all that hard work! I say Just Write! Don't worry so much right away, let the story flow from your fingers onto paper/screen, you can always fix it later.

If you come to a scene in your story that you just can't seem pull from your imagination but you know the general idea of what you'd like to happen, than just write the general idea and move on. If you don't know how to begin your story but have been daydreaming about a particular scene than just write that and write your beginning later on when you know how you would like it to come about.

Now if you really find yourself in the throws of writers block and really really can't think of anything to write, note even free-writing. Then Just don't Write! Yes you read me right, Don't Write! Just walk away and take a breather. If you try to force yourself the only thing you may end of creating is a head ache. There are many things than can contribute to writers block such as too much coffee or additives in food that get your mind so scrambled that you just can't think. There are even more ways to 'cure' writers block. Here is a list of some of them:

• Forbid yourself to write! For some people just laying back and deciding not to write will somehow trigger idea's to flow into their mind.
• Taking a shower.
• Going for a walk.
• Read your book, like the previous chapter to the one your working on and hoping the idea will appear at the right time.
• Talk it out! Call a friend and discuss your dilemma (A stuffed animal can sometimes work as well).
• A change of scenery. Go somewhere else and write.
• Stop using your computer and switch to the good old fashioned pen and paper. Sometimes staring at a screen for hours unending can hurt the brain.
• There are a lot of people who suggest trying different writing exercises. Like writing in a different voice, free writing for 10 minutes or writing a short story.
• Get inspired. Watch tv or read a book and imagine how you would like the next scene of the show or book to be, get your brain moving creatively then focus on your book again.
  
• Do your research. Are you writing a snow storm? Sailing around Cape Horn? Go to google images and search for snow storms or Cape horn. Really SEE what your writing and go from there.
• Clean your work space! I cannot think if my office is to cluttered (laptop on my bed). So clean up, let the light in and be pleasantly surprised how great you feel to sit back in your serene surroundings. Uncluttered work space = Uncluttered mind.

I could probably go on for days about the possibilities for curing writers block, but I won't. The trick is just don't force yourself, let it come naturally.

Sincerely,
Angela