Final Installment: Cures for Writer’s Block Used by Writers

Here is the third and final installment of the Cures for Writer's Block Used by Writers. A survey of 2,500 writers found that writer’s block was caused by high expectations, fear of failure, and unrealistic deadlines. Here are the final 6 of the 20 ways to beat writer’s block.
 
Adapted from “Writer’s block: 101 proven tips for how to cure and beat writer’s block used by writers,” originally posted on the Stop Procrastinating blog. Reprinted with permission.
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15. Visualize your story
Rather than writing, sit or lie back and daydream about characters in details. Watch them grow and act out scenarios in front of your very eyes. Once you have them living and breathing in your mind, writing will be a lot easier.
 
16. Meditate
Mindful meditation helped some writers overcome their block, allowing them to expand their mind through peaceful contemplation. This is backed up by research showing that meditation reduces anxiety and increases blood flow to the brain.
 
17. Walk and talk
The West Wing model of creative writing involves walking while talking into a recording device.
 
As I’ve already pointed out, exercising to solve a problem is proven to work. But you don’t want to lose any of your creative ideas, so some writers found that walking and talking into a Dictaphone helped them create. Sherlock Holmes often solved his trickiest cases by walking and talking to Watson. As we don’t all have a Watson, a small recording device will have to do.
 
18. Read a book
Many writers started because they were inspired by a book. Go back and read passages that inspired you to write in the first place – it will lift your spirits, remind you why you were first interested in writing, and motivate you to create.
 
19. Join a writing group
Writing groups keep you motivated and offer mutual support from other writers. You can set deadlines for the following session as well as find a writing buddy who can comment on your work. Or maybe you are confident enough to have the whole group comment on your work. It will certainly ensure you write as well as you can.
 
20. Read your story aloud
Taking a step back and reading out your story can help you to really listen to the voice of your writing and your characters. Do they sound authentic? Maybe this has been the problem – you aren’t sure of what you are writing. This technique works also for non-fiction writers and bloggers. Reading out loud engages your mind in a different way and come up with solutions and provides another perspective. Either you’ll continue writing with renewed confidence or you’ll be encouraged to change what you are writing.
 
Stop Procrastinating used the results of a survey to create a powerful guide to beating writer’s block with 101 proven tips and techniques.