Blogging is not an easy gig. I love it. It drives me; but (full disclosure) there are days when I struggle with A) conjuring substance for a fresh piece or B) mustering the energy to sit down to articulate a developed reflection. While lately I’ve been at war with the latter, there have been big, terrible dry periods when I was totally and completely bereft of inspiration. I need to get a post out… about what??
Writer’s Block is ZERO fun for a person who thrills in words and publishing a shiny, new post for the world to read. It’s such a deceitful condition – and it is a condition – that’s tricked me into thinking maybe writing just isn’t my forte anymore. Give it up – you had your time in the sun.
Shout it with me: NEVER!!!
By God’s grace to push and persist, I’ve realized and recognized a handful of moves to annihilate Writer’s Block in my darkest hour.
1) Pray.
You knew this had to come first. As a writer who muses on what God’s hand has wrought (#Psalm143), I need to maintain my prayer life. It keeps me close to God, which moves me to love and see love, which moves me to reflect, which moves me to write. Bada bing – it’s as simple as that. (HINT: this approach works regardless of your charism – insert your talent where I put “write.”) Keeping up conversation with The Lord only moves me to do what he wants me to do. The revelations I have in prayer are the substance of my work – without them, I have no blog and little reason to write. Prayer is an absolute must.
2) Read Your Faves
I’m reading Simcha Fisher’s The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning. Oh. My. Goodness. The book is fantastic, full of staunch honesty, and really really fun to read. The way Simcha expresses herself is intelligent and hilarious – her tone makes me want to write and snaps me out of any hesitation I have. In tackling Writer’s Block, I’ve learned that writers have to be readers. It just makes life easier and so much more entertaining if you continue learning how to express yourself through studying the expressions of others. My favorite books, blogs, and articles have used words and phrases I would never have thought to employ, and it improves my writing ten-fold. So! Carve out 5-10 minutes in your schedule, forget about the deadline, and read.
3) Peruse Your Old Posts
Sometimes it takes sifting through the archives to remind myself how fulfilled I am and how much I’ve enjoyed my work. Going through some of my favorite posts, I see that I’m not a failure and that I can, in fact, write. Back when the old stuff was new (hat’s off to you, Garth Brooks), my mind was fresh and free of pressure; and I resurrect that same old feeling when I read articles from 2 or 3 years ago.
4) Talk it Out
Sometimes you just need an ear. The person who keeps my writing sharp is my best friend Erin in KC. We chat almost daily on her commute to work and she’s an awesome listener (She’s a psychologist!). Sometimes the best way to develop a thought or two is to say it out loud to someone who accepts that you are a chatterbox need to talk. If you’re blessed with a listener in your life, ask if they’d be willing to be a sounding board on occasion. If your life is void of good listeners (and even if it’s full of them!), The Lord always wants to listen –> see suggestion #1.
5) Set the Mood
Writing will not happen without the proper setting. I have a desk in our living room, but it takes me eons to get a post done there. That part of the house is chock full of distractions, including a handsome husband, a comfortable couch, and a nice selection of movies all calling my name. I’ll surrender without a fight and delay a deadline at a moment’s notice. Right now I’m in the best spot – stretched out in the solitude of my quiet bedroom. One dim lamp lit. Erik Satie in the background loud enough to enjoy, quiet enough to ignore. The kids are down so no one needs me. Andrew’s watching a movie. Oh, and I’ve blocked Facebook from my browser. It can take me hours upon painstaking hours to produce a post if I let myself veer from the task at hand. Provided with the proper setting, however, my WPM can barely keep up with the word flow in my mind.
6) Last but NOT least –> GRAMMARLY.
I heard that Grammarly provided writing services and was immediately skeptical. Writing services? I already check my own grammar and punctuation; and I thought I was doing just fine until I sampled what they had to offer. Oh my word processor! Grammarly is gold in my book. It checks spelling and use, AND wordiness, AND style, AND plagiarism, AND it makes word choice suggestions. It’s easy to slip into a rut of using the same words and phrases since I cover the same topics of marriage, money, parenting, and faith over and over. Grammarly spices up writing with variety and I rest assured that my finished product is the best it can be. I’m sort of a geek about writing – words thrill me – so use Grammarly’s grammar check because bad grammar’s like a bad hair cut: it’s the first thing people notice and no one wants to tell you about.
So there it is, folks. Writer’s Block can be a doozy of an obstacle, but with prayer, patience, and a little help from my friends (and the Internet), I’m back in the groove with renewed enthusiasm and readiness.
Am I missing something? What do you use to get out of the rut?
Great suggestions! I know I’ve found myself at a loss many times and think it’s easier just to walk away than find a way to pick it back up again. But I’m always so glad when I do start writing again.
Wow, I’m so glad I found your blog (through Pinterest)! This is a great blog entry. I am struggling through grad school…yes, literally struggling as I come up against writer’s block, writer’s freeze, writer’s fear…you get the picture. Thank you so much for reminding me to pray. Sometimes we forget that God is there to help us in the little things as well as the big. Can’t wait to read more!