1. If you think you are suffering from writer’s block, stop writing immediately. 2. Walk away from your computer. 3. Remember this: writer’s block doesn’t exist. What does exist is a condition in which you don’t really know what you’re trying to say, and therefore are having trouble saying it. 4. Don’t try to think of what you’re trying to say—yet. Go do something other than writing or thinking, preferably something where you’ll sweat (running, weeding the garden, walking the dog) or be pleasantly distracted (cooking, going for a drive). 5. When you’re done with that diversion, start thinking about what you still need to learn before you know what you’re trying to say. Don’t start writing yet. 6. Usually this will require making some phone calls, or doing some research. DON’T START WRITING YET. 7. Once you’ve done that additional research and thinking, start composing in your head the idea that got you stuck. 8. Find someone whose opinion you trust. Explain to her what you are writing. Listen to yourself as you’re talking. You’ll be sorting out your thoughts as you’re talking. 9. NOW sit down and try writing that down. If you’re still stuck, maybe you still don’t know what you’re trying to say. Repeat steps 1 through 9. If necessary repeat again. And again. 10. Celebrate getting past a hard part of your writing!
Susan Orlean on getting unstuck. Also see Orlean’s timeless advice on writing and celebrated creators on overcoming creative block.
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