I Can't Write! My Brain is Out of Ideas!

Sometimes, you wake up with every intention to write, and as soon as your hands hit the keyboard, you realize that you have nothing to say. This is common. It is called writer’s block, but it is important to work past this small issue and learn what motivates you when it comes to writing. Without motivation, your work may not be of quality, and you may feel resentful about the task. Therefore, it is important to cure your writer's block and find your own sense of pleasure in your writing. So, how do you do this? Here are a few ways to help you re-energize your writing life:

1. Start writing about anything and everything that comes to mind.

Writing aimlessly can help you find your direction when writing. You don't need to think about what to write. Instead, just write about anything and everything that enters your mind even if it doesn't make sense. This will help you build confidence in your writing progression, and it may assist you in formulating thoughts on a specific subject.

Now, you don’t need to publish every aimless thought that you have. You can use a notebook or a spare document on your computer to do this. However, by writing whatever comes to mind, it is likely that you will land on a subject that you are passionate about, and that will give you a direction for your next article.

2. Make a list of subjects that you like or are curious about.

If you make a list of subjects that you like, you may land on a subject that jump-starts your creativity. Finding items like this will help stimulate your brain and inspire you to write further on the subject at hand. It shouldn't be too difficult to pick a subject to write about after making a list. You will find that when you make lists, most of the time you favor one subject over others, and this will help give you direction in your writing. I’m not sure what the exact science is in this process, I just know that it works. Also, by doing this idea generating task, you will find that you empty your mind of all the fluff that is taking up your thoughts and preventing you from focusing on the task at hand. This can help reduce distraction and assist you in using your energy to build on your chosen subject instead of worrying about the several other ideas that are going through your mind.

3. Read.

Take a rest break and delve into a good book or article. Reading is not only a relaxing way to give your brain a break, but it is a source of inspiration for many people. You may come across a story that makes you think outside of the box, and before you know it, you may be formulating your own plots and characters for a story of your own.

Reading can help you begin to generate ideas on items that you want to write about, and when the creative juices are flowing, you may be more motivated to complete an article, a chapter, or even a short story. The mindset that you have while reading can make you more in tuned to your thoughts. You may also be more relaxed and feel less pressured, so your writing might be of better quality. Reading is a great way to stimulate your mind and relax your nerves.

You aren’t going to wake up with something to write about everyday, but if you do the exercises above, you might find that you start to generate ideas, and this may lead to a more natural flow of writing. Writing naturally will help you create more quality pieces, and it will also take away the added pressure that you may have about writing something that others will like.