Lewis,

It’s courageous of you to be so honest about your writer's block. (Although I will say the length of your post makes me doubt the reality of your self diagnosis!)

If it’s your job to write, well then, write. Not writing is not an option. And the act itself, as you so clearly note, is the cure.

At the same time, go easy on yourself. And remember this: If it’s easy to read, it was probably hard (for the author) to write.

The simplest, most elegant writing takes work.

Samuel Johnson said it best: “What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.”

Gwyneth,

Writing is both the easiest and the hardest thing I do. Easy because it's what I do best (keeping in mind that reader's judge its quality, not I), and hardest because it is stressful, worrisome and frustrating, to the point that I never read a word of what I write once it is published.

As for my diagnosis of my own writer's block, you are correct. Once I began writing, it disappeared. And that is the point about a process that works to break down writing barriers. Writers will make their lives easier if they find a process that works for them and then stick with it.

Here's my prescription: Take two feet, a dog leash, and a dog or two. Apply to street.

In other words, step away from the screen. Breathe. Let the thoughts flow.

Nice post, Lewis!

Great post.

When I tend to get stuck I try to go for a short walk, write an email or like Lewis read a blog. That usually sparks an idea and helps me get started.

Lewis, thanks for this. I've been stymied by "writer's block" more often than I care to admit. I subscribe to the "take a walk" remedy - preferably in the woods somewhere. Being outside really clears my head. It's all about being able to focus.

Ann, John and Joyce:

I am finding the comments more compelling than my post. Your methods are truly fascinating and are adding a great deal to the conversation in that your thoughts are helping all writers better their craft.

Most interesting is that you each need to step away, while I need to throw myself into the work. Wonder if that has anything to do with my journalism degree and experience or maybe it's the impatient side of me nudging the Muse.

I'm with ann - i grab the leash and the dog and go for a walk.

sometimes I go to the movies.

or just admit that nothing is going to get done and give myself the morning or the afternoon off.

and even when thoughts are flowing beautifully, I take dance breaks during the day - put on something really rocking and dance around like crazy and then sit back down at the computer. Ah! Much better now.

Nice article. Thanks.

A few comments: First, when I find it difficult to get the words down on paper, it's usually because the thoughts are not there or are not well organized in my head. It's not "writer's block" as much as "thinker's block."

Second, the "get away from the task" approach Ann suggests is right on, at least for me. I'm also a crossword puzzle addict, and when a puzzle seems beyond solving, I just go for a walk and forget it for a while. Invariably, when I get back to it the "impossible" words become obvious and solvable. I've seen this phenomenon work many times.

Finally, while I agree that communication skills are important for marketers, I think you're focusing too much on the outbound communication and not enough on the inbound communication. Listening is perhaps as important for a good marketer as writing (or speaking). What happens when you get "listener's block?" That would truly be the kiss of death for a marketer!

B.L.,

I can't wait for the video of you dancing. Now that would become an immediate YouTube Classic!

Exercise helps, too: walk, run, bike, etc.

I think it was Hemingway who would write and then go for a walk every day.

Michael,

I agree that listening is as, if not more, important than communicating outwardly. And that's why I wrote about it on my blog several days ago. Check it our here: http://lgbusinesssolutions.typepad.com/solutions_to_grow_your_bu/2007/09/listen-up-does-.html.

Neil,

Exercise is a great way to relax. Unfortunately, for me, I write best when I'm troubled or challenged by something. It is my curse. When I am relaxed, the last thing I want to do is write.

Always great to read how others cope with the great white shark.

Neil A., is there a way to get a hold of you via email? Link goes to company page. Thanks!

Lewis - I regularly post photos and videos of me dancing. Here's one, where I'm dancing with the guy in the santa hat http://www.whatsnextblog.com/archives/2006/12/swinging_away.asp
:>)

I love the way MIchael framed it -- "thinker's block" v. "writer's block." Maybe that explains why some step away while others hang tough -- we are actually experiencing two different things, with different prescriptions for resolution.

Great video, BL! Wish there was more of you, though.

Lisa,

Please feel free to email me at marketing@ezpublishing.com

StreamSend is a service not the name of our company. We have a new version that we have "soft" launched that is at http://www.streamsend2.com. I apologize if I have broken any rules by posting a link here.

Thanks.

Neil

Lewis,

I believe Hemingway was troubled when he wrote at times, too.

I'd say a walk would be a good way to think without losing the inspiration -- whereas, a run might relax someone too much to be troubled enough to write. :-)

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who suffers from hitting the wall every once in a while! I found it helps to focus on what my clients want - during a meeting, they want the big idea... the punch line. So I'll force myself to jot down 10 big ideas (from the strategic to the absurd) and usually I end of finding some kind of spark that I can use to ignite the rest of the work.

Hi Lewis:

Exercise can get you too relaxed if you do too much in one sitting...try little 10 minute or 15 minute breaks---I have an elliptical in my office that I jump on just long enough to get the blood circulating. It helps me work through whatever problem or block I have and the computer is right there for when inspiration strikes.

Thanks for the great ideas, especially the glass of wine. I think I feel block coming on.:)

I wanted to post a comment, but can't think of anything clever to write [smirk]...I have 2 press releases to write and am stuck for creative intros. I'm putting your advice to the test today :-)

I must say, I have the same problem... In a sense. I would consider my problem as a "writing impediment", for I have been recently been diagnosed with ADD. If anybody has any tips and advice, please do! I could sure use some.

Hi Lewis,

Great post! And lots of great answers to your questions.

I find that getting out - to the park, for a walk or whatever - is often a good cure.

I also keep a notebook with me for those times I'm overrun with ideas. Then, when I need an idea and can't think of one, all I have to do is pull out my notebook and see what strikes me.

Hi Lewis,

Here's a great resource for you or for anyone else that gets writer's block:

My new eBook entitled, "82 Unbeatable Ideas for Writing Articles Fast."

It's geared for article marketers, but you can use the same ideas for books, special reports, sales letter copy etc.

You can get it at: http://www.IWantMoreProspects.com/82ideas

Good Luck,
Eric Gruber
Your Article Marketing Expert
www.IWantMoreProspects.com

Wow, I can't believe that so many others walk to get creative ideas. I thought I was the only one. I work as a copywriter, and every day I walk through the woods and try to meditate on one or two words for about 30 minutes. Creative ideas just pop in without any effort on my part. In her book, "The Artist's Way," Julia Cameron suggests writing what she calls morning pages every day—whether you're a writer or an artist. When you wake up (I do it when I come to work), you just write 3 pages of whatever pops into your head (the junk thoughts). That's supposed to clear out your head to make way for the creative thoughts to enter. I highly recommend that book. She has a lot more great ideas and exercises for becoming more creative.

I haven't tried the "going for a walk" approach, but I often find a drive in the car brings forth ideas. Sometimes while driving back from a client visit, everything I need to say forms in my head. Googling key words about the topic I'm writing on often helps. And sometimes the biggest problem is that I realize I have nothing to say, so it's time to do some research about my topic.

Every so-called "blocked" writer should go read "The War of Art," by Steven Pressfield, and "On Becoming a Writer," by Dorothea Brande, and report back. These books, when applied together, are guaranteed to do away with writers block for good.

Additional tips:
1. Be very, very uncreative. Get all the boring stuff out of the way first. This means: Outlines. Research. Customer Questionnaires. Benefits. Problems. Outlines.
2. Allow yourself to write a crappy first draft. It can be the most uncreative thing you've ever written. When you read it over in a day or two, you may find it's not as boring as you thought.
3. Focus on your audience. Sometimes it's easier to empathize & imagine their situation first, and to impress & dazzle later.
4. Others have suggested going for a walk, but I always take a nap. I start writing as soon as I wake up, about 30 minutes later. Gives me enough time to get the words out before my inner critic kicks in.
5.Don't read over what you've written for a minimum of 24 hours. Why wait? Because your inner critic cannot occupy the same space as your inner creative person, and you must give your creative person permission to create freely, without any fear of punishment or of being wrong looming over her head. You’re likely a better writer than you think. Tell the critic he’ll have his day. Just not today.
5.Flip everything upside down. Write the opposite. Why shouldn’t a professional wrestler appear in a shampoo commercial for women, shaking his long, lustrous hair? Approach everything with a contrarian perspective. Say the opposite of what you mean.

I normally write articles relatively easily but am struggling with a book. I think it's because I have the attention span of 'knat' and articles don't require a much longer attention span for me!

I read an interesting article about writer's 'procrastination' that involved commiting to writing for one hour every day -- no exceptions. It seems to be working well for the book I'm writing. Would love to hear other's thoughts on article versus book writing.

I find it extremely helpful to carry a notebook with me everywhere I go and write notes on ideas, concepts and words I find interesting. Sometimes I'll overhear a conversation that sparks an idea. Sometimes I'll read a clever advertisement that later serves as a creative jumping off point.
While the idea of carrying a notebook or small pad of paper with you everywhere (and then remembering to write things down!) may seem like just one more 'to-do', it's a habit I wouldn't give up for anything. When I'm confronted with a block, I pick up my notebooks, (of which I now have many), and start flipping through for inspiration. It may be old-school, but it works every time.
Some of the readers here may also be interested in software called Writers Blocks, which helps to organize segments of thought into cohesive sections which can then be put together into a story, press release, white paper, ebook or whatever is needed.(www.writersblocks.com)

carol,

I have written five books and my process is to write a chapter a day, not worrying about rules, spelling, typing, sentence structure or any of the other nasties that slow us down.

When I have exhausted my thoughts and put them all down in some sort of order, I then go back and reread everything I wrote, fixing just the big stuff and rewriting only where no sense is being made. Then I go back and reread again, fixing and now deleting and moving things around. I do this four or five times, and then send it off to my personal editor. She does two edits, then it's off to the publisher for that editor to take a swing.

This process allows me to write a 50,000 to 70,000 word book in about six months.

All,

Your ideas and contributions are fantastic. Thank you!