via Inefficient
One question we hear every day is “how do I get over writer’s block?”
I bet you’ve heard this one thrown around a lot. You might’ve even asked it. I know I have.
Our answer is a bit unconventional and it never fails to shock the one asking.
The answer is—
Are you ready for the big reveal?
No?
How about now?
Okay, I’m just playing but do you see what I did there?
I wrote. I typed words, they connected to the page, and guess what—that’s it. The answer is: write.
It’s really that simple. Now, you might say something like “I don’t know what to write next?” or “I’m not sure what the next chapter should be about.” Or any other number of things that you might not be sure about. You know what that is? It’s procrastination.
Yep, I said it. Don’t hate me for it, it’s true. Procrastination is the artist’s nemesis. And writing is an art.
We convince ourselves we have to know what the next scene is supposed to be about before we start writing. We don’t. The characters know what they are supposed to do.
Here’s my step-by-step approach:
- Eliminate as many distractions as possible
- Sit down
- Freewrite for a small time block each day
- Get up and go do something else.
Yeah, it really is that easy. If you want to break the block, write. If you don’t know what comes next, that’s okay. Pick up where you left off or start with your character in the middle of a conversation and freewrite some dialogue. Eventually, the words will flow and the story will unfold.
It doesn’t have to be pretty. It’s a first draft. First drafts are supposed to be messy. A first draft’s ONLY purpose is to record the story on paper. Revise and edit later. Just write, right now. See what I did there? I #amwriting. Are you? Start living your author dreams and go write, Askew.
Need some support during the writing process? Come join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rhetoricaskew/
The Askew Blog 
One thought on “Writer’s Block? Here’s the cure…”