Dancing with Writer’s Block: How to Lose that Partner

By 8:30 a.m., you’ve already made your fifth trip to the coffee maker, reorganized your desk twice and scanned Twitter half a dozen times. The deadline that had been somewhere in the distance now looms ominously, every tick of the clock reminding you that a single paragraph won’t cut it.

It’s a familiar dance with writer’s block and most of us have chosen that partner more than once in our careers… our steps hopeless out of sync. It’s inevitable but it’s hardly insurmountable. How long you choose to do the dance is up to you.

I used to say I had a love-hate relationship with writing, which – in actuality – couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s one of the few passions I’ve enjoyed almost as long as I can remember, what I went to school for and what I’ve been fortunate enough to do nearly every day of my career. It’s an escape, a release, a change agent… the channel breathing vigor and clarity into thoughts I would never be able to organize verbally.

So, no, my love-hate relationship isn’t with writing; it’s with the self-imposed obstacles writers often strew across the dance floor, all but guaranteeing a stumble. When you get in your own way, however, at least you’re equally capable of getting out of it. Or – better yet – you can take some simple steps that may help prevent writer’s block altogether:

1. Prepare your psyche. Start by asking yourself a question: “Am I wearing the wrong H.A.T.?” By this, I’m not implying there’s some secret writer’s uniform that will magically remove any road blocks. It’s about determining whether you’re HUNGRY, ANGRY or TIRED. These three conditions are among the biggest impediments to success when doing pretty much anything, so why would it be different with writing? The acronym is a reminder to take care of YOU before you dig into that assignment.

2. Prepare your work space. While this may seem obvious, so much of the struggle comes when you don’t have easy access to tools or information. Set the stage for success by getting comfortable (I do my best work in a well-lit room with cool temps). Pull your notes together and craft a short outline. What do you want this piece to achieve and how do you plan to get there in X number of words? Do you have what you need at your fingertips? If not, get it now. Some early prep will help prevent interruptions to your flow.

3. Find inspiration. Sometimes you can feel like you’ve done all the prep in the world and still need a kick in the ass creatively. This is when I look to others for examples of creative work that moves me, whether writing, art, film, music, photography or sometime else entirely. The point is to tap into what I call that “movie theater moment” of being motivated into action when something you’ve experienced has been particularly inspiring. I keep these examples nearby so they're handy when I need a reminder, and I’m always on the hunt for new ones.

4. Embrace the process. Let’s face it. Writing doesn’t always flow fluidly. Be okay with that occasional trip to the coffee maker or online browse as long as you keep those moments brief. Try setting a timer if you fear you’ll stray too long. Sometimes, a short break is all that’s needed to reinvigorate your path into the home stretch.

Perhaps most important, let your sense of humor sustain you. We’re human. Even our best-laid plans can fall short, but stop beating yourself up and try to laugh through the unforeseen snafus. If you’re dancing with writer’s block, make it a goofy jig… and then shake it off.