How To Beat Writers Block: 10 Tips

Let's face it... Many if not Most Writers Face that Horrible Plague called "Writer's Block" from time to time.

Many Hubbers have to deal with this problem from once in a while. It is Part of the Writing Process and should be viewed as an Opportunity, rather than a Problem!

Writer's Block is normal, and with these 10 Useful Tips to help get you out of this funk, you will be writing again in no time!

This may sound silly but if you take a long walk or long drive you will open yourself up to two things:

1. Clearing Your Mind
2. You May Be Inspired in a Different Environment

Allowing your mind to clear in a different environment can help you to come up with new ideas. I suggest you take a pen and a notebook as you never know when inspiration strikes! When you go for a walk on a nice day, your brain responds as well as your senses.

Chemicals begin to flow throughout the body as you see beauty. If you happen across something negative, that can inspire writing as well! You have nothing to loose! Climb a tree, wade in the water, jump in a puddle! Make a mud pie, have a snowball fight!

I like to walk along the sea shore and take day hikes in the woods. I always bring my camera because you never know what types of wildlife you might see! Make sure you do these activities safely. Here are some things to consider when going on an adventure:

• Let someone know when and where you are going and what time you plan on returning. If you get lost they can get help fast. This is especially important if you are going alone!
• Bring a cell phone that is fully charged.
• Do your research before going. Consider bringing a map of the area you wish to explore.
• Bring a mini first aid kit in case you get cuts along the way.
• Bring water to drink.
• Dress for the weather! Be sure to look at the weather forecast and dress appropriately!
• Bring a flashlight.
• Consider bringing a back pack to carry all your items so your hands can be free.
• Be sensible: don't pack everything but pack enough snacks and water and clothing should something happen to you or you get lost.
• Think like a Boy Scout: Be Prepared!

Taking a nap might sound lazy to some, but even a 20 minute nap can leave you feeling refreshed and you may even come up with fresh ideas for your next project.

If you dream, make sure to write them down as soon as you wake up. Your dreams may become your next inspiration! Many great stories have come from people's dreams. Don't be afraid to use your imagination!

I am in no way suggesting that you copy other people's ideas and I would Never support plagiarism. Reading other people's work, however, may give you some ideas of your own.

You may see points of interest within an article that you could elaborate on or maybe you have a different view than the author and would like to express your own opinion or experiences. Maybe you have a completely different opinion and would love to write an "argument" for your side of the debate.

Reading local and national news can also help with thinking of new things to write. Maybe there is a charity that is worth praising in your area? Maybe you concerned with politics or civil unrest in another country?

Taking a trip to the library puts you in a different environment and there are so many different things to read and research. Just to try something different, go get a book that you would never normally read and flip through the pages. Inspiration is lying somewhere in that fortress of books!

Taking a cold shower can stimulate the body and mind.

It will force you to stop thinking about anything else except for the fact that you are cold!

When you get out and warm up, ideas may rush into your head and will be ready to put down on paper.

Just pack your lunch and pick a random place to go! Make sure to bring a pen and pad of paper along with your camera. Need suggestions?

• Go to the Beach
• Sit at a Bus Stop or Train Station and "People Watch" (Just don't be creepy!)
• Visit a Grave Yard and Read some of the Head Stones
• Walk Down a Train Track (IF it is SAFE to do so!!!)
• Go to the Mall
• Have a Picnic
• Stroll through the Woods
• Go on a Bike Ride
• Fly a Kite
• Go Rollerblading
• Take out that old Instrument from your closet and Play a Tune!
• Do Crossword Puzzles
• Build something out of Toothpicks or Popsicle Sticks
• Watch a Movie with No Volume On
• Go to a Carnival or Festival

Going to a Church or Temple can inspire you in many ways. If you are the religious type, you can go and ask for inspiration from a Higher Power.

If you are not the religious type, that's OK too! Go check out all the statues and art work in a classic church and you may find some inspiration hiding in the pews!

Find an old Cathedral and if you can get permission take some photos of the art that you see. Follow the stations of the cross and look at the stained glass windows. There is much inspiration in these old church buildings and they tend to be very ornate!

OK, this one might sound a bit weird but as you are looking at the old photos you may become inspired to write about an experience you had in the past.

Maybe your favorite relative like a grandparent has since passed away. What better way to immortalize them than to write an article on one of your favorite experiences with them.

How about those old photos of you in high school? Did you really wear that outfit to school? Maybe you could gather some of the wackiest photos of your super style and put together an article that will make people laugh and relate.

Being a child in the 1980's, I could put together quite a photo gallery of what I wore and especially the styles of my older sisters!

This is nothing new but brainstorming can produce a lot of ideas when you have writers block. You can do it alone but it is even more fun when you do it with friends or family!

Here's what you do:

• Sit down with a pen and paper and clear your mind of all your thoughts.
• Set a timer for 3 minutes.
• Write down Everything that pops into your head, no matter how silly it is
• After the timer goes off, review what you wrote down and you should have plenty of new ideas for topics to write!

Brainstorming can be a quick fix when you have no ideas on what to write. If you are able to do it in a group, you can expand the brainstorming to a second round by switching papers with your friend and then brainstorming off of their original results. After a few rounds of this you will have hundreds of random words and topics that can inspire you to write!

Having a Healthy Mind and Body will certainly keep your creative juices flowing. Take some time out to do a workout. Try meditating in silence or with comforting music in the background. Practicing the art of Yoga can also help your mind to stay in shape.

Studies have shown that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising and doing a variety of alternative practices such as yoga and meditation, often are more alert, creative and productive. Getting enough sleep is just as important as nothing in the body will function well when it is fatigued.

I find that a lot of the times that I am experiencing writer's block is because I am spending too much time in the same environment. Although it's not always possible to actually go away on a vacation, you could take some time away and avoid logging onto your computer for a few days.

I have done this and I know it is hard especially if you are like me and need to read your comments and see what your friends are up to on HubPages and Facebook. The reality is though, that everything will be there when you get back! So take a few days or a weekend off and go do what you have been putting off! Whether it be yardwork, visiting a sick or old relative or just catching up with friends and family. Go out and create new experiences. When you get back to writing you will feel refreshed and productive once again!

I hope that these tips will help you to get out of the "Writer's Block" rut. Remember, we all go through it and there are things we can do to help us get our creativity back. So don't worry, sit back and think about the things discussed in this article. Maybe one of these ideas can help you!