Writer’s Block

It would be terrific if we could always finish a proposal, report, or other writing project in the time we set aside for it. It doesn’t always work that way.

Writer’s block has happened to me. I’m not talking about the protracted kind of writer’s block that full-time authors may face, but the temporary “stuck” experience this audience may sometimes contend with.

For one assignment, I was asked to assemble information from multiple sources into a coherent report. It’s the kind of project I’ve done many times before, but instead of putting what I thought were well-honed skills to work I found myself twisted in circles. After the report was finally finished, an analysis was called for.

Here’s what I found out.

• It was a hard project and I was overly confident.
• As the deadline neared, I became increasingly distracted, leaving less mental real estate for the actual writing.
• I forgot tricks of the trade, like marking progress by breaking a big project into accomplishable steps.
• I felt stuck writing at my desk when a change of scenery might have been reinvigorating.

Here’s what helps.

• Take action sooner rather than later. Stewing about a writing deadline doesn’t help.
• Create an outline. Building structure can help you generate content.
• Know your best writing time and use it. I’m most productive in the morning.
• Mark milestones. Translating just one complex paragraph into a simpler, polished one can be a huge motivator.
• Move around. I can be productive at my dining room table or even the kitchen counter.
• Listen to music. I rarely do this when I work, but during the holidays I played music nonstop. I found out it can remove distractions and build energy.
• Restart. Take a break, get coffee, or finish another project. Then apply the lift you get to the original challenge.

Use the strategies that work best for you to get results. You’ll be surprised at how easily one small change can rejuvenate the entire process.