1 minute read
THE CURE FOR WRITER’S BLOCK EMPTINESS
One of the greatest challenges most writers and authors face is the phenomenon known as ‘writer’s block’. Even some of the greats such as Tolstoy and F Scott Fitzgerald went long periods of time with writer’s block Writer’s block are those moments when you sit in front of an empty screen or empty piece of paper, and nothing comes out. For another perspective, see the emptiness as a metaphor. See it as a signal to shift your energy.
Why? Because a block is a product of resistance. Resistance creates stress and eventually breakdown. Literally the energy is not flowing, like a dam blocks the flow of water. If you keep ruminating on being stuck with the stress of not meeting your writing goal, you will fall deeper into the block. It becomes a cyclical stress reaction.
Advertisement
Sometimes ideas come in waves, and we just need to rest in stillness to allow the waves to flow through our consciousness. To close your eyes and breathe and empty the mind and emotions to make room for the inspiration. Sometimes you need to move your body and empty yourself in nature. Taking a walk in a forest or walking along the shore listening to the waves. Inspiration comes when we surrender the overworked mind.
Make sure you bring your phone with you and have a transcription app such as Otter. This way, when the waves of inspiration hit you, you can record it. When you come back home, the already transcribed text can be copied and pasted onto your empty screen, ready to be reworked and refined. If this does not work, you can do what author Joan Didion does when she is blocked, put the manuscript in a freezer bag and stick it in the freezer.
Author Bio
Jared Rosen is the founder Of DreamSculpt. As an innovator in digital media publishing, he has published over 50 media enhanced e-books for many best-selling authors and filmmakers and has published dozens of books in print. Jared is the author of three books including the groundbreaking book The Flip. As a thought leader he has presented in venues ranging from TED X Malibu, to McKinsey and Company, Sydney, Australia. In 2000, Jared co-created the Children’s Emotional Literacy Project endorsed by Mayor Richard Riordan and Norman Lear.
