Do You Have a Cure for Writer’s Block?
How I Feel When the Words Won't Come
Every now and then a chill comes over me because I can’t think of anything to blog about.
Everything I know has been shared, or is already known. Every observation I can make has been observed. Inspiration is nowhere. Nothing I read or see suggests a topic. And most disconcertingly, this state of affairs for all the world feels permanent.
I shared my feelings on Twitter, and Muse Crossing bailed me out with a simple suggestion. Wisely and with a helpful heart, Christine said,
And so it is. What do you do when you can’t think of anything to blog about? What do you do when the ink runs dry, the keyboard won’t clack, the fertile field of your imagination falls fallow?
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Chicago based SEO copywriting, blog consulting, and content strategy consulting.
I stop. Simples.
Blogging – or, indeed, any form of writing – is about quality, not quantity.
If the ideas aren’t there on a particular day, trying to force it will only produce low-quality content that any regular reader will identify as ‘filler’ in a heartbeat.
If the ideas aren’t there, it’s not meant to be on that day. So stop.
D
Life does dish up so much that I think it is a bit easier when you are willing to be more personally revealing in your blog. When I get stuck for an update, and feel my readers may be waiting for me to “speak up!” again, I think back on my own day and ask myself – what is it about these happenings today that I can explain in a way that shares the experience, turning it from just mine into one we explore?
That said, I realize it is easier for me because I have pretty complete editorial freedom on the blogs I write. They are business blogs, but the business is very much tied into my Ho‘ohana, and I do not separate personal from professional at all; nor do I worry about assumed affiliations.
Sometimes I just have to force myself to write… write anything. Usually it gets tossed, but sometimes a single sentence or line sticks out and starts my next attempt. Sooner or later the ol’ brain kicks in again.
Dungeekin, Rosa, Fred – Thank you for sharing your techniques and philosophies. The common thread seems to be patience. Rather than force the issue, wait or write about what you’re ready to write about. I like it!
Sometimes if I have the feeling of not being at home on my blog… which does happen, sometimes, I just stop for a while. Read, browse, do other things… wait.
In general though I do what you’ve just done – name it, and ask others for help
Hi Joanna, Some folks on Twitter have also suggested waiting it out – makes sense to me. I have very few dry spells like this, so it’s a little disconcerting. Thank you for offering reassurance and ideas. I do like the way you solicit feedback and ideas from your community. When in doubt, ask. That’s something I learned in sales and it translates to blogging pretty well.
Funny you say that Brad, for I think of myself as one of the most impatient people on the planet. I think it’s actually impatience for me, and finding a venue which helps me be at more peace with taking some kind of action – whether it is private journaling or published blogging… may be going into a different subject here (with the “writing to learn” at JJL weighing on my mind).
Brad,
I do the same as Dungeeking – stop and do something else.
I don’t see any point in just sitting there wasting thirty minutes staring at a blank screen. My theory – when you’re stuck, you’re stuck. Better to take a break and do something else for awhile.
In terms of covering this type of situation, Darren on Problogger seems to stress time and time again the need to have a few ideas for posts ‘in reserve’ for times like this. I don’t do it myself, but it certainly sounds like a good idea nonetheless.
In your particular case – how about this for an idea if you are really stuck. No doubt you have a collection of old books or resources relating to sales. Why not pick one off the shelf, read a few pages (or a whole chapter, if you are so inclined) and write about how you feel about what the author says. You could discuss how what the author says may or may not apply to b2b or in the context of the newer social media environment, or you could just simply write about why you agree/disagree with what the author says, perhaps giving some examples from your own experience or from the experiences of other marketing professionals with whom you are familiar.
As well as old books, you could apply a comment on ideas which you have heard at seminars which you have been to in the past or any blog posts written by others in your field.
Just a thought.
Andrew, Thanks so much for that terrific idea. I’ve got two whole shelves of marketing and business books right next to my computer – what a great way to put them to use again. I really appreciate your taking the time to help – excerpting and commenting on books would be a perfect approach for many bloggers.
No matter how many lists or suggestions there are out there on what to blog about — you run into roadblocks. Just not inspired or can’t think of your own take on it that doesn’t sound like 100 other people’s entries.
After nine years of blogging — you learn there will be ups and downs. What makes it harder is when you blog for other sites that cover a similar topic. You want to give all the good stuff to them leaving you with nothing good.
I spent on afternoon drawing circles and expanding on each one and come up with over 20 potential entries. But finding the time to do them is another thing. Again. Clients. Come. First.
Meryl, Thanks for providing some veteran perspective. I like your philosophy about clients, too!
Hi Brad,
It’s so much nicer to be commenting on your blog since our riveting conversation on skype.
ONE THOUSAND IDEAS
As an on-line newbie who collects ideas for a hobby, I guess I have the opposite problem of too many things to want to write about. A typical day sees 20-30 new ideas generated. Since June this year I have captured nearly 1000 ideas. Here, logging, categorizing and systematizing the ideas is critical.
IDEAS BEGET IDEAS
Just skimming through my idea lists is a fantastic way to come up with new ideas. Perhaps that could be a useful way for others to handle “dry” periods i.e. build an ideas bank. It’s fun and a great habit to get into.
Best to you, Robin
what i do, like some bloggers i know, is to enjoy reading the blogs of others–surely, some sparks will fly to give us ideas to write about–if not, there is always tomorrow.. =)
why don’t we write about writer’s block? =)
Dong, Yes, reading of any kind should spark ideas. Otherwise, it’s perhaps better to put off the reading to another time.
Robin, I’m jealous, but not surprised. During our amazing phone convo you packed more ideas into a couple sentences than many people blog in a month. You’ve got a real gift there – that’s a lot of creative output. I do think mining old posts and notes can generate new topics, and some bloggers are very scientific about idea mapping. Something I need to learn about.
I always use a MindMap app to store idea to write whenever I come across to it. So when I have nothing to write, just open that app, take 15 mins to brainstorm.
And if you always feel there’s nothing to write, you might take holidays. You mind need relax. Maybe being in another place or doing different jobs may give you something new and awesome to write.
Hi Phaoloo, Thank you for the advice – I’m taking a break next week and we’ll see how that works. Maybe I’ll try the Mind Map app as well. Sounds like it works for you very well.
Brad,
No problem, glad to help any way I can.
Maybe it’s time to go out of the house and visit your fave coffee shop again. Or hit the beach or the local bookstore. Taking your mind for a walk often times brings clarity and inspiration.
I’ve been a fugitive from my own blog myself. Perhaps it’s a mild case of burn out. Surely lots of ideas percolating in the back burner, but the energy to write can be sorely lacking. For all its wanton delights, at the end of the day blogging can still prove to be a tough mistress to keep.
I tend to ask others if there is anything they have read or seen that has an impact that readers perhaps may not have noticed. I was also taught to free write when studying at University. Writing everything down that is in my head to clear it all out should then make way for new ideas. This doesn’t always work but when writing needs to be done, it’s a great way to de-clog.
Jan, I’ve noticed you’ve been blogging infrequently lately, but the quality and community participation remain strong. That’s real proof that a rigid publishing schedule isn’t necessary. Maybe blogging is not as tough a mistress as all that.
Jenny, Great suggestions. Free writing works for you, eh? That’s a technique maybe I should try. I tend to avoid writing until my thoughts are fairly well developed, which is probably a mistake.
Brad, I came across this piece on my blog while looking for something else… thought it might help. It’s more the feeling of being out of place and unsure of your voice than a shortage of ideas or writer’s block… but still, might help.
http://confidentwriting.com/2009/06/10-things-to-to-do-when-you-lose-your-blogging-voice/
Joanna, I remember that post – it was a great one. There are a few ideas in there I can make use of right now. Thank you!
Sadly enough I’ve actually felt like the guy in the photo above. And let me tell ya, it’s no fun when you hit a wall like that and can’t think about what to write about. Usually though, it happens when I’m tired.
A couple of things work to get me out of a rut like that:
- Running (yup, it actually does stimulate my thought process. The problem is I don’t have anything to write with when I’m running so I use my phone’s voice memo feature).
- Reading books (I love to read books. And I’ve learned to use hi-lighters and do a good job of referencing back).
- Meetups (networking with other people definitely gets your creative juices flowing. This is probably my favorite way to stimulate ideas).
Hi Ricardo, Exercise and meetups help me also – and besides curing writer’s block, these activities deliver a few other benefits as well. You and Andrew have both suggested reading … considering how much I read, it’s ridiculous that one hasn’t occurred to me. Thanks for the advice, and keep up that exquisite blogging you do!