Writer's Block: Every Writer's Nightmare

What is every writer's worst fear. The fear that they won't be able to write anymore. We have all gone through it at one time or another. The true terror is that it will never come back again, but never fear. A writer writes always. There are some things we can do to get the creative juices flowing. Here's a few things I have tried.

Taking a walk can always help, but don't take your regular route. Take a detour. You just may see something that you've never seen before. Be observant. Soak in the atmosphere. It may be a busy street with lots of activity, like cars going by and honking their horns, people shouting at the top of their lungs, or perhaps a quiet residential street. Take it all in with all five senses, then return home and write down everything you saw. Everything from the sound of the wind blowing, faint sounds in the distant. Did you notice a house with paint pealing? Was there a crack in the sidewalk? What did it look like? Was there children playing out in the yard? What kind of games were they playing? Was there a barking dog? How was the weather? Was it clear and sunny, or was it starting to rain. Write down everything you remember.

If this doesn't work, try a word game. I've done this at time. Cut out small strips of paper about twenty in all. On each strip write a word, any random word. Put all your strips into a small paper bag and hake it up. Take out five strips and write a paragraph or two using those five words. Don't expect a master piece to come out, but it is just a simple exercise to get the creative juices flowing.

Sometimes a good distraction can help. Get away from it for a while. Call a friend, go out to eat, go shopping. Usually when we are not thinking about it that when the answer hits us. The brilliance is back,and we start wring like mad again. It always seems when you least expect it that part of the story that you have been stuck on becomes clear, and even if it isn't what you originally intended, just keep writing. We never know what will come out until it does.

Just remember, writer's block is not the end of the world. It will happen many times, but don't freak out when it does. Take a deep breath and clear your mind. Even if what you write is not prefect, and you feel like it's not going anywhere, don't worry. Writing is a journey, and on every journey there are pitfalls. Sometimes those bad ideas can lead to the more brilliant ones, so whatever you do just keep writing. Keep this is mind and the nightmare that in writer's block will just become a passing bad dream soon forgotten.