The Qwertyrash Blogs

Where do you get ideas from? What about when Blogger’s Block strikes? (also known as writer’s block)

There’s two kinds of writer’s block:

1) The better known one is where you are bereft of ideas

• Get out and surf the ‘net. Get involved in forums and leave comments on other’s websites. I often find when I’m making a comment, that I realise it’s something I’d like to expand further on my own site. This article started life that way (started from a comment I was leaving on ProBlogger.net which cross-pollinated with another idea from a comment I’d left on Yzabel)
• Carry a notepad and pen with you. Ideas are going to come to you when you least expect and when you are furtherest from your computer. It’s Murphy’s Law, don’t bother trying to fight it.

2) The lesser acknowledged one I call writer’s glug. This is where you have the ideas but writing feels like walking through deep mud - quite laborious.

• This one is often stress related. Something else is on your mind which you may have to just shut out if you’ve got a deadline to meet. Or you may have your priorities out of whack - is the thing that is stressing you what you should really be working on at this moment?
• The topic may not be inspiring to you. You can either ditch it, or push forward. I’d recommend the latter, it’s good practice and you might be surprised with what you turn out. At other times, let it go. Maybe it will work in a week or two when your subconscious has played with it more.
• Writer’s glug means you’re not freeing your mind enough. When I get stressed and feel less productive, I know I’m not walking and/or reading enough. Find what frees your mind and do it regularly - daily. (but keep that notebook handy! That is the most likely time for ideas). Maybe you’re also spending too much time blogging and not taking sufficient breaks. Give yourself weekends - a couple of days where you at least halve your output. My total writing goal across all my writing projects (blogs, novels, study) is 1000 words per day on weekdays and only 500 on weekends. I also don’t prioritise the weekend’s writing- if I miss it, no big deal, the break’s more important.
• It doesn’t have to be a novel! And even they are only written one paragraph at a time. The shorter articles will be more easily consumed by the reader too. And you want to leave something for readers to be able to add in, through comments!
• Don’t stress over the finished product until it’s finished! Don’t pre-edit. Just write! Write first, edit second.
• Get comfortable! I actually find that sitting in bed (at any time of the day) works best for me. Outside also works for me.