[Hong Kong - June 6, 2018] Anyone who has ever written has most likely suffered from writer’s block at some point. Starring at a blank page or a jarringly white computer screen can be incredibly demoralising for any writer. As copywriters and editors, we have experienced our fair share of this. But fear not, we also have a number of great techniques to help avoid this frustrating occurrence. Here are five of our best recommendations on how to keep your words flowing:
1) Remove all distractions at once!
We are all guilty of procrastination. It’s super easy to mindlessly browse through social media or binge watch cat videos on YouTube. Organising your workspace can also help to avoid any brain constipation. The ultimate goal is achieving a state of Zen. This might mean you’ll have to ask your loved ones to leave you in peace for a few hours. Dedicate yourself to writing and nothing else. If this sounds like a daunting prospect, try setting mini goals. You might want to set 30 minutes aside to begin, and then have a little breather later. Being aware of your most creative “power hours” is also great – strike while the muse is hot!
2) Get your sweat on.
If you’re struggling to connect the dots on paper, you might want to consider getting your blood pumping with some exercise. It’s widely known that sitting for long periods of time is bad for your health. By exercise, we don’t mean a Rocky-esque mishmash of powerlifts, shadow boxing, and push-ups. Instead, you could take a nice walk around your neighbourhood or do some casual stretching. This will allow some time for your brain to recalibrate. A change of scenery might even spark some new creative ideas.
3) Keep your brain hydrated.
Feeling lethargic, confused, or completely out of sync? This might be for one simple reason – dehydration. Did you know that around 75% of your brain is water. Therefore, brain cells need a proper balance of water and various other elements to operate efficiently. If this balance is interrupted, your brain can become less efficient, resulting in a number of negative consequences, including a foggy mind. Hence, dehydration can be a leading cause of writer’s block. Drinking tea or coffee is better than nothing, but overdosing on caffeine and suffering from an ‘ants in pants’ situation will not help with your writing. Stick to water if you can, it’s really the cheapest and best option. Avoid energy drinks at all costs!
4) Create a storm.
Okay, so you’re about to pull your hair out as your finger keeps reaching for that delete key. Instead of having a nuclear meltdown, why not create a storm instead? Or better still, a brain storm. This classic strategy is a brilliant way of getting your ideas on paper, without worrying about sentence structure, spelling, or grammar. Keep it simple and let your ideas flow without hesitation.
5) Have a rest.
Burnout and overworking your brain is a sure way of hitting a brick wall. An exhausted mind isn’t going to assist in your writing ability. Trying to push through “the wall” like an athlete is really not recommended. And if you manage to do so, there is a great chance that your writing standards will slip. Instead, have a power knap or just go to bed if it’s late. We promise that when you wake up, that wall would have magically disappeared. A fresh, well rested mind will give you the best chance of avoiding writer’s block.
We hope that these tips have been useful. Remember that our copywriters and editors in Hong Kong are here to help. If you are ever struggling with writer’s block, or any other issues, please feel free to get in touch.