The only way to write is to write. Sounds obvious, doesn't it? Unfortunately, if you're a new writer, or an experienced writer who's suffering from writer's block, it may not be obvious.
The only way to write, is to write, but sometimes you get in your own way.
Here are three ways in which you block yourself:
1. You demand of yourself that you write in a certain way, to achieve a specific goal
Let's see how this works. You're writing a mystery novel. You want to write a mystery in the style of ___________, who happens to be your favorite writer.
This can work, but often it doesn't, for the simple reason that you are you, you're not your favorite writer.
When you set out to write a specific project, be yourself. Write it your way - just start writing. If you make demands of your creative muse, you're likely to become blocked. Accept yourself and the way you write.
That's not to say that you can't write in the style of someone else. When I read some writers, like Charles Dickens and PG Wodehouse for example, I tend to write in their style, and need to journal for a while to get out of it - this comes naturally for me.
Do what's natural for you: write your way. If your writing is flowing easily, that's great; something's working. It's a mind state, and since it is, after you become aware that it is, you can tap into this mind state on demand.
2. You don't journal about your writing as you write
Journaling is a great way to break blocks. Journal right in the middle of your current project.
I just write: [THOUGHTS] and journal. When I've finished thinking on the computer screen, I end it with [/THOUGHTS].
I leave my thoughts in the project until it's complete, then I save the file as Version 2, and delete the thoughts in the new file. I always leave the original "thoughts" with the previous version of the file, because then I can return to a previous version and discover what I was thinking at that time.
Writing about your current project while you're in the middle of it stops you blocking - you're writing, aren't you? :-)
3. You don't schedule your writing
I love schedules. My mantra is: "If it's not written down, I don't do it" - so I schedule everything.
I have a daily schedule, a list of writing tasks that I must get done, plus long lists of tasks for each project I'm writing. I work through those additional tasks after I've done all the tasks I MUST complete on a certain day: the ones I've specifically scheduled.
If you're not a full-time writer, you nevertheless must schedule your writing. If you don't schedule it, it won't get done, and you'll convince yourself that you have writer's block when the reality is that you're just procrastinating.
Create a schedule, even if you're fitting writing in between working two jobs and raising a family. You can build a writing career even if you're busy with other things, but only if you write, so schedule ten minutes, 20 minutes or an hour for your writing. Every day.
At the time you've chosen, write.
So there you have it: the only way to write is to write. All you need to do is get out of your own way.
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