Patty Maximini
Can I just start off by saying that writer’s block sucks? It does, big time! There’s nothing more frustrating in life than knowing what you need to say, but having no words to say it. It’s like being hungry, in a restaurant, but without your wallet. S-U-C-K-S!
But it’s something every writer goes through from time to time, and every writer deals with it differently. There’re a lot of blog posts and articles out there on internet-land with amazing tips on how to deal with this evil. Personally, I’ve read about a million of them, and though some were really helpful, I don’t think there’s a road map or certified cure. You just have to wing it and find what works—and doesn’t work—for you.
To me, the worst way to get around writer’s block is to try to push through and force myself to write. I know it works for some people, but I’m definitely not in that group. In fact, it’s a guaranteed way to up my frustration to the point where I’m in tears and seriously considering hitting the delete button on every word I have in the manuscript and retiring.
But it’s something every writer goes through from time to time, and every writer deals with it differently. There’re a lot of blog posts and articles out there on internet-land with amazing tips on how to deal with this evil. Personally, I’ve read about a million of them, and though some were really helpful, I don’t think there’s a road map or certified cure. You just have to wing it and find what works—and doesn’t work—for you.
To me, the worst way to get around writer’s block is to try to push through and force myself to write. I know it works for some people, but I’m definitely not in that group. In fact, it’s a guaranteed way to up my frustration to the point where I’m in tears and seriously considering hitting the delete button on every word I have in the manuscript and retiring.
Instead, whenever I start to feel blocked, I just step away from the computer—there’s no point in staying there anyway—and go do something that will distract me and, hopefully, jumpstart my brain. My top choices are mindless tasks like doing dishes, which is honestly a miracle worker. Within three plates my brain is already drifting back to the story with fresh ideas. Cooking, playing with my dogs and pinning things on Pinterest tends to help, as well. In severe cases, I resort to exercise. My favorites are yoga and running. They help clear my head, and by the end of the workout, I’m usually so relaxed and filled with yummy endorphins that the words start pouring out.
If none of those options work, then we go to plan B, which involves a bowl of ice-cream, my butt on the couch and a romantic comedy on TV. Not such a bad option if you ask me. *winks*
If none of those options work, then we go to plan B, which involves a bowl of ice-cream, my butt on the couch and a romantic comedy on TV. Not such a bad option if you ask me. *winks*
This guest post was written by PATTY MAXIMINI, author of THE REASON I STAY, as part of a blog tour organized by Xpresso Book Tours. Click the banner below to go to the blog tour stop
