Writer’s Block

First of all, let’s try to define the word to get a feel for it. Writer’s block is a condition in which an author momentarily loses the ability to produce new work. This condition varies widely in intensity, sometimes it lasts for a few seconds/minutes and other times it can last for months.

There are many different ways to overcome writers block, below I will mention some that I find very useful. Remember that, although it may be difficult at the moment to get anything down on paper, if you have patience and keep trying eventually it usually starts to flow.

6 Words That Eliminate Writers Block

What are these six words you ask? Before I reveal them, let me introduce the man who came up with the neat little formula we’re about to learn.

His name was Rudyard Kipling and is regarded as a main innovator in the art of the short story. During his lifetime he wrote this powerful, yet concise poem describing these 6 amazing words:

“I keep six faithful serving men
Who teach me well and true
Their names are What and Where and When
And How and Why and Who.”

If you ever get stuck while writing, always think of those 6 words:

What: What am I writing about? What will be included? What type of content is relevant and so forth.

Where: Where does this take place? Where can I collect the information needed and so forth

When: When does it take place? When will I be finished and so forth…

How: How did this happen? How can I collect more information on the subject and so forth…

Why: Why did this happen? Why should I have to do it in this manner, can’t I do it in this matter instead?…

Who: Who was responsible for this? Who can I talk to in order to get more info and so forth…

Movement is good

What’s really stopping you from writing is usually the movement it self and not so often the lack of ideas. This means that, as long as you keep on moving that pen (or keep on pressing those keys) you won’t (hopefully) face any writers block! For instance, you might start out your story in this manner:

“I had just opened the door when all of a sudden yada yada so I called out in fear yadayda” The yada yada represents the block and instead of just stopping completely you should write yada yada instead. Remember, you’re writing a draft so nothing says it has to be perfect. It’s the end result that matters anyway, right? When you feel that you’re finished, just go back and revise it. It’s as simple as that.

Write With Passion

What I am about to reveal to you is so chocking it could give your English teacher a heart attack!

: You should always (momentarily) FORGET about grammar when starting on a novel/essay and just focus on writing. Write with passion, write with insight, write as if your life depended on it!