Stuck? Can’t seem to get your creative juices flowing? Blank page syndrome?

Writer’s block (noun): the problem of not being able to think of something to write about or not being able to finish writing a story, poem, etc.

That’s how Merriam-Webster.com. defines writer’s block, also known as blank page syndrome, but there is so much.  Anyone who has ever had to face a blank page or a glowing screen with an approaching deadline can surely tell you about the stress they face.  Here are couple of techniques that I use when I am in a rut and need to do away with writer’s block.

1. Revisit Inspiration: I keep record of ideas I want to go back to, whenever I am stuck and can’t seem to get those creative juices flowing. I will come back and review these thoughts. I jot down topics and ideas I come up with and save them to Evernote before I forget.  I will type it up on my computer, my tablet or my phone, whatever I have on hand when inspiration hits.  OK, truth be told I am not always that organized, sometimes I write in on a Post-it and stick it to the back of my phone so that I don‘t forget to save it later, but you get the point
2. Try something new: The topic you were planning to write about isn’t doing it for you? Try a new one. Sometimes switching up an idea is all we need to get inspired and get your creative juices flowing.
3. Research: Not sure what you want to focus on? Do some more investigation, reading up a on a subject maybe just what you need to remember why you were interested in something in the first place or may just teach you something new.
4. Think outside the box: Do something completely different, don’t stick to what you normally do.
5. Take a break: Staring at a blank piece of paper or a glowing screen sometimes just makes me more frustrated, so I take a break and do something else for a while. Lately I have gotten into doodling and coloring mandalas. There is something soothing and methodical to this that gives my brain the break I need and sometimes that is all I need to get those creative juices flowing. I don’t recommend taking on too complicated of a project or you just might get sidetracked.
6. Ask for help: When all else fails ask someone else for their opinion.  Sometimes just starting a conversation and getting someone else’s input is all you need to get those juices flowing again.
7. Sleep on it: Sometimes the best thing is to just sleep on it.  I get some of my best ideas when I am sleeping or when I am just waking up.

I hope you find these tips helpful and good luck.  Still need some more tips? Check out these other helpful sites: Beat Blank Page Syndrome: 10 tips to Get You Started and The 10 Types of Writers’ Block (and How to Overcome Them)

About the Author

Alexandra Bonilla @chicaperiodista is a journalist and columnist who knows all too well what it is like to face the dreaded blank page when you have an impending deadline.