The Writing UnBlocker:
6 Tips to help you Start Writing
People often call on me for help to simply start writing and I have found that writer’s block is definitely something that can be conquered. We all deal with different obstacles when it comes to our creativity, so here are a few ways to get those words flowing.
Create a writing routine.
If your life has been filled up with all sorts of activities, none of which include writing, it is time to train your mind and your body to get used to this activity. What better way than to have a regularly scheduled time that ensures you connect pen to paper, fingers to keys or stylus to tablet?
This does not mean you have to chain yourself to a desk for hours on end. Find a place that is comfortable, peaceful, and inspiring for you that you can easily access every day. Pick a time that is generally open for you and free of other obligations. You may have 10 minutes to write or you may have an hour – it is best to start at a place that you know you can commit to. I personally had a phase where I always wrote first thing in the morning, which for me was around 6am. I had another phase where my writing always occurred late at night – which was funny, because I woke up several times with my fingers still on the laptop keyboard. Your writing routine will be as unique as you are.
Remove external distractions.
Removing external distractions has a lot to do with your writing routine. If a noisy house distracts you, then you know you need to have somewhere to go to complete this task. This could mean going to the library, or one of my personal favorites – sitting in the park. Through another phase in my life, I went to the park just about every day, no matter what the weather. Even if I stayed in my car, I was still away from the noise of the office (and everything else) and had beautiful scenery to help inspire me.
Turn off the cellphones and respect your writing process enough to give it your undivided attention.
Remove internal distractions.
I learned from the teaching of Bishop T.D. Jakes that stress, worry, and anxiety block creativity. I happened to be in the midst of a season where I felt I could not write or even work on projects that I was really excited about. I happened to pop in Bishop Jakes’ DVD one day and was astonished as I learned what my real problem was. Creativity could not flow in my life because my energy was tied up in worry and anxiety.
Sometimes the internal distraction could be the subject matter you are writing about. If you are nervous about your topic and how it would be received, first consider whether you are truly ready to write about that topic. If you want to move forward with it, write with the understanding that right now you are only writing for an audience of One. When you are finished ask Him what to do with the material that you have written. There is no pressure to publish or share every word that you have written.
What thoughts are swirling around in your head that are clogging up the portals of your imagination? With the understanding that life goes on, take your problems to God and let Him hold on to them. With the realization that God has far more power than you do to resolve those situations, trust that He has it under control and you can be free to relax for a few moments to create.
Break the rules.
The editor in me is fussing and looking at me crazy for what I am about to type, but here goes: forget about grammar and punctuation. Just write. Forget about making it sound as good as whoever the current bestseller is. Forget about trying to create a unique style. Just write! You have millions of beautiful thoughts flowing through your mind every day. Write them down. Write about them. Write some more. You can have it all edited and formatted later, should you choose to release it to the public.
Give yourself permission to daydream.
Much of your writing can be done without ever writing it down initially. When I worked a 9-5 shift, I often found myself daydreaming (shhh don’t tell), identifying major points and fleshing them out in my head before I could get home and really dig into them and type them out. Being stuck in traffic and having a long commute can be useful for daydream writing as well. I still employ this technique, often allowing my writing ideas to mentally marinate for days or weeks before I feel they are ready to be birthed on paper.
Plug into the source, our Creator, God.
This is the most important step. There is no creativity without our God, the Creator. When you cultivate a relationship with God, have His Holy Spirit dwelling in you, and have a life of prayer, you will find a spring of ideas continually flowing within you. It could actually be hard to keep up with the flow of ideas which can become a writing block in itself. Just take a deep breath, write your ideas down and ask God to help you identify which direction to go in first.
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