e in awhile. Maybe it's time to change the scenery. For some, this is simply taking a vacation, and for others it's letting go of writing for awhile and living instead.

Method #5: Write Something Else

If you always write fiction, try your hand at non-fiction. Or switch genres. A poet? Try blogging. (See an example at my blog, http://novelwriterworld.blogspot.com Switch it up to give your creativity some variety.

Method #6: Stop Procrastinating

Sometimes writer's block is just an excuse for not starti

Every writer knows what writer's block is: the paralyzing indecision, feeling completely stuck, the empty screen or paper staring at you mockingly... And the painful truth is that, from time to time, every writer will experience (at varying levels) the unproductive blocking of their creativity.

Do not disperse, however. This article is chock full of effective remedies for your stifled creativity.

Method #1: Letting go of expectation

Writers that get caught up in editing as they go along are sure to get stuck eventually. This is why just letting go and putting words down, no matter how pointless it may seem, is so important. And here is the key: DO NOT PROOFREAD when you are done. Maybe later, after the creative juices are flowing - but heck, why not just flow with it? If every time an artist drew the tiniest line then hurriedly erased it, they would never have a finished composition. The same is true of a writer. Just as a good artist must block out the picture in full ahead of time, filling the paper with where things will go, and "editing" much later, so must the writer. So for heavens sake, turn off your spell checker and grammar police and just write. And if you can't think of anything but trivial facts or a favorite song, go for it. The mere act of writing will get you back in the process again.

Method #2: Stream of Consciousness Writing

This is where you can just write whatever pops into your head, and it can fit very nicely with method #1 above. In stream of consciousness writing you may want to play some nice distracting music that you would never seriously write to. Maybe close your eyes (if you can write that way). In any case, don't pay attention to what you are putting down on paper. Many people report fascinating ideas that emerge from this method, as well as a wonderful release of the blocked creativity.

Method #3: Changing Gears

Maybe your creativity just needs another outlet for awhile. Take an art class, do some gardening, do something else for a change to give that writing focus a break. Maybe you just need a vacation...And not a "writing" one either!

Method #4: Go Outside

Go outside, get a job and for heavens sake get some experiences to write about! Okay, so maybe this won't apply to everyone. It really doesn't matter though. Everyone needs to shake things up once in awhile. Maybe it's time to change the scenery. For some, this is simply taking a vacation, and for others it's letting go of writing for awhile and living instead.

Method #5: Write Something Else

If you always write fiction, try your hand at non-fiction. Or switch genres. A poet? Try blogging. (See an example at my blog, http://novelwriterworld.blogspot.com Switch it up to give your creativity some variety.

Method #6: Stop Procrastinating

Sometimes writer's block is just an excuse for not startin

, no matter how pointless it may seem, is so important. And here is the key: DO NOT PROOFREAD when you are done. Maybe later, after the creative juices are flowing - but heck, why not just flow with it? If every time an artist drew the tiniest line then hurriedly erased it, they would never have a finished composition. The same is true of a writer. Just as a good artist must block out the picture in full ahead of time, filling the paper with where things will go, and "editing" much later, so must the writer. So for heavens sake, turn off your spell checker and grammar police and just write. And if you can't think of anything but trivial facts or a favorite song, go for it. The mere act of writing will get you back in the process again.

Method #2: Stream of Consciousness Writing

This is where you can just write whatever pops into your head, and it can fit very nicely with method #1 above. In stream of consciousness writing you may want to play some nice distracting music that you would never seriously write to. Maybe close your eyes (if you can write that way). In any case, don't pay attention to what you are putting down on paper. Many people report fascinating ideas that emerge from this method, as well as a wonderful release of the blocked creativity.

Method #3: Changing Gears

Maybe your creativity just needs another outlet for awhile. Take an art class, do some gardening, do something else for a change to give that writing focus a break. Maybe you just need a vacation...And not a "writing" one either!

Method #4: Go Outside

Go outside, get a job and for heavens sake get some experiences to write about! Okay, so maybe this won't apply to everyone. It really doesn't matter though. Everyone needs to shake things up once in awhile. Maybe it's time to change the scenery. For some, this is simply taking a vacation, and for others it's letting go of writing for awhile and living instead.

Method #5: Write Something Else

If you always write fiction, try your hand at non-fiction. Or switch genres. A poet? Try blogging. (See an example at my blog, http://novelwriterworld.blogspot.com Switch it up to give your creativity some variety.

Method #6: Stop Procrastinating

Sometimes writer's block is just an excuse for not starti

te. And if you can't think of anything but trivial facts or a favorite song, go for it. The mere act of writing will get you back in the process again.

Method #2: Stream of Consciousness Writing

This is where you can just write whatever pops into your head, and it can fit very nicely with method #1 above. In stream of consciousness writing you may want to play some nice distracting music that you would never seriously write to. Maybe close your eyes (if you can write that way). In any case, don't pay attention to what you are putting down on paper. Many people report fascinating ideas that emerge from this method, as well as a wonderful release of the blocked creativity.

Method #3: Changing Gears

Maybe your creativity just needs another outlet for awhile. Take an art class, do some gardening, do something else for a change to give that writing focus a break. Maybe you just need a vacation...And not a "writing" one either!

Method #4: Go Outside

Go outside, get a job and for heavens sake get some experiences to write about! Okay, so maybe this won't apply to everyone. It really doesn't matter though. Everyone needs to shake things up once in awhile. Maybe it's time to change the scenery. For some, this is simply taking a vacation, and for others it's letting go of writing for awhile and living instead.

Method #5: Write Something Else

If you always write fiction, try your hand at non-fiction. Or switch genres. A poet? Try blogging. (See an example at my blog, http://novelwriterworld.blogspot.com Switch it up to give your creativity some variety.

Method #6: Stop Procrastinating

Sometimes writer's block is just an excuse for not starti

ng ideas that emerge from this method, as well as a wonderful release of the blocked creativity.

Method #3: Changing Gears

Maybe your creativity just needs another outlet for awhile. Take an art class, do some gardening, do something else for a change to give that writing focus a break. Maybe you just need a vacation...And not a "writing" one either!

Method #4: Go Outside

Go outside, get a job and for heavens sake get some experiences to write about! Okay, so maybe this won't apply to everyone. It really doesn't matter though. Everyone needs to shake things up once in awhile. Maybe it's time to change the scenery. For some, this is simply taking a vacation, and for others it's letting go of writing for awhile and living instead.

Method #5: Write Something Else

If you always write fiction, try your hand at non-fiction. Or switch genres. A poet? Try blogging. (See an example at my blog, http://novelwriterworld.blogspot.com Switch it up to give your creativity some variety.

Method #6: Stop Procrastinating

Sometimes writer's block is just an excuse for not starti

e in awhile. Maybe it's time to change the scenery. For some, this is simply taking a vacation, and for others it's letting go of writing for awhile and living instead.

Method #5: Write Something Else

If you always write fiction, try your hand at non-fiction. Or switch genres. A poet? Try blogging. (See an example at my blog, http://novelwriterworld.blogspot.com Switch it up to give your creativity some variety.

Method #6: Stop Procrastinating

Sometimes writer's block is just an excuse for not starting that novel. Look at your reasons for not writing. Are you afraid to fail? Not really committed? Be honest with yourself about why you aren't writing, and decide if you really want to work through whatever is holding you back and keep writing.

And finally, Method #7: Get Committed

That great idea will never get published if you are not absolutely committed to carrying it through. What will it take for you to commit to your goal? Maybe join a writer's group? Find someone to be accountable to, like a close friend or mentor? Whatever it takes, if you truly want this, you must commit to doing it.

Happy Writing!