The bane of every writer’s existence is a little thing called writer’s block. It’s when you have the desire to write but simply cannot get anything down on paper – or on the computer screen. Your mind is either entirely blank or so full of thoughts that you have no idea how to sort them out to write anything. Even bloggers get writer’s block.
You could be the best blogger on the face of the earth or the best novelist. You are still going to run into a case of writer’s block every now and then. How do you deal with writer’s block? Here are a few suggestions that might help you break lose the words in your head.
- Surf the internet for a while reading other blogs.
Sometimes it helps to go see what other people are writing about. Read some of your favorite blogs. You will be amazed at what people are writing about and you will probably get some ideas on what you could be writing. Hopefully something in these blogs will help break down the floodgates that are stifling your creativity and let the words come flowing out. - Open up your blogging inbox and see what topics you may have there.
If you have not checked your blog inbox for a while you may discover some topics that you planned on writing about but never got to. You could also have reader comments or questions there that you can take the time to answer. Once you start answering questions the blogging ideas may appear. Also take a look at links that are in other posts. They may lead you to other blogs for more writing ideas. - Comment on other people’s blogs.
Feel free to leave a comment on someone’s blog. You may discover an idea there that will allow you to expand on the original blog on your own. If the other blog allows it, use a trackback in your comment that leads to your own blog on the same topic. - Watch the news.
What is going on in the world today can make a great blogging topic. Even though the news may not relate to what you normally blog about it is one way of trying to spark ideas. For example, if there is a news story about the upcoming Olympics that sparks a memory of past Olympics, write about that. This is a human interest topic and people will enjoy reading it. - Go random.
The beauty of blogging – especially personal blogging – is that you do not have to stick to a specific topic. You can write about anything. Find a word or picture and simply write about. Include the word of picture in your blog so that your readers can have a frame of reference. If you cannot find a word or picture that breaks the block, check out some of the creative writing prompts or software on the internet. They usually have some great suggestions of topics you can write on and they are designed to help stimulate your mind when you are faced with writer’s block. - Look for the extraordinary.
Do you find space exploration fascinating? What about an unusual recipe or animal story? Go ahead and blog about it. You will find information on extraordinary topics in encyclopedias, the Farmer’s Almanac, even your local newspaper. Many people enjoy unusual topics and will like the change of pace in your blog. - Add something to your blog that you have never added before.
Maybe there is a video on YouTube you really like and think your readers may enjoy. Go ahead and blog about it and leave your readers a link so they can enjoy the video as well. Don’t be afraid to do something different. - If all else fails, take a break from blogging.
Your mind may simply need to take a break. Go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Do a craft. Go on a shopping trip. Do something that gives your mind a rest. You may find that when you finally sit back down at the computer you are ready to write once again.
