Rekindling Inspiration: How to Cure Writer’s Block
Can you name the number one reason people stop writing on their blogs? I’ll give you a hint; it’s not because they ran out of time.
It’s because their blogging wells run dry. Writer’s block affects bloggers just as easily as it does novelists. Possibly more easily, actually, as bloggers need a new idea several times a week, much more often than novelists do.
Writer’s block is a sad fact of the blogging lifestyle, and it can derail even successful blogs. If you’re running low on inspiration, what can you do to get it back?
- Leave the computer. If you’re having trouble coming up with fresh and interesting ideas for your blog, it may be because you’ve been spending too much time sitting in front of a computer screen. Turn your computer off, and find something else to do for a while, even if it’s trying to plot out a new blog post with pen and paper.
- Find a new experience. If you’re doing the same things, day after day, it’s hard to find the inspiration to write. Shake up your daily routine. Go try a new restaurant for lunch, or explore a town you’ve never visited before. Meet some new people, or try something you’ve never done before.
- Seek inspirational company. Meet up with others who are interested in your niche. Attend a speaking event or a conference. Invite some like-minded friends to meet you for a coffee and conversation. Sometimes, just being able to talk about your topic, and about things not related to your topic, can get you back on track.
- Read a book. Turn off your computer and television, set your phone aside, and pick up a book. Read the latest bestseller, or tackle one of the books in your to-read pile. It doesn’t have to be anything related to your blog; in fact, it shouldn’t be. Read for research later. Right now, you should be giving your mind (and yourself) a break.
- Exercise. Go hit a local walking trail, or spend some time at the local gym. Escape the mid-summer heat by going for a swim in a nearby lake. Ride a bike. Getting out of the house and getting exercise can clear your mind and make it easier to be creative once you make it back home.
- Find your prime writing time and environment. When do you do your most productive writing? For some people, it’s first thing in the morning, a steaming cup of coffee at their side. Others get their best writing done late at night, as they wind down from their day. Some write best with music playing or with the television in the background, while some need complete silence to really focus their thoughts. Figuring out what works best for you can make writing easier and help you bust through your creative slump.
- Mind map for new blog ideas. Pull out a paper and pen, or use mind mapping software to brainstorm a long list of ideas. Sometimes, just having a few topics to choose from can help you to get your creative juices flowing.
- Just write. Don’t place any expectations on yourself; sit down and type up whatever comes to mind. Once you get writing, you might be surprised by what actually comes out.
What do you do to re-inspire yourself when you start to run out of post ideas for your blog?
