Rx for Writer’s Block

Just because you dislike writing — or find certain subjects about as appetizing as last weeks’s pizza — doesn’t mean you’re blocked. But if you suspect a block has infiltrated your system, check for these symptoms:
Trouble finishing a document
Inability to write certain documents
Inability to write at all
Anxiety that frequently grows debilitating
Serious to deadening reaction to writing under pressure
Think of a block as a muscle cramp; loosen up and the problem will pass. Your exercises may vary from the warm-ups you read about in the first part of this chapter to the exercises that follow. But, like an athlete, you must practice these exercises deliberately and consistently for the best results. Now, try these:
1. This is the no-fuss method of breaking blocks. Just write for two minutes every morning — no more and no less. Don’t worry about word use, spelling, grammar, or even content. If you’re writing by hand, ignore penmanship. Cross out freely. Stuck? Write about being stuck. Be sure to speed write each morning at the same time for at least a week or two. That way you’ll set your internal clock for writing mode.
2. Find a partner — spouse, friend, or coworker — who will pick an object for you to write about before work each day. The objects may be basic, such as an apple or a flag, or more complex, such as your favorite vacation spot or your childhood house. You need to write only one paragraph, but feel free to write more if you like. Then show your writing to your partner. Have that person tell you what he or she likes about your writing. If you’re inspired, move on to more complex ideas, such as describing your most frightening experience or your strongest childhood memory.
3. Write a letter every other day for two weeks straight, even on weekends. Make sure you’re writing to someone you trust. Don’t know what to say? Explain why you’re writing. Afraid your style is stiff? Uncomfortable? Throw the document away, but only after you’ve finished. Otherwise, send the letter. In the process you’ll build positive associations with writing and feel more in control.
4. Write about some aspect of work — your boss, your employees, your customers, or the barrage of responsibilities you confront each time you walk in the door. Don’t worry if you make sense, just get the words out. If you’re writing by hand, throw the paper away. If you’re on the computer, print the piece, then throw it away. In the process, you’ll loosen up, put your writing in context, and gain a stronger sense of control.