How to Deal with "Writer's Block!"

So we have all been there. We sit down at our computers and we start to type and… well, nothing much happens.

We try to write some more.

We stop.

We stroll to the bathroom.

We stroll back.

We try to write some more.

We get up and go to the refrigerator in search of some unknown food which will somehow spike our creativity.

It’s not there. 

Then, we go back to the computer and we make ourselves speak our character's lines....

“Ugh, it sounds like second grade.”

So we go to the refrigerator again and we get a cold Red Bull, and some really old grapes.

Who knows? Maybe the old grapes will inspire creativity. This is a historical play.

No.

It doesn't work.

We just get all buzzed out from the Red Bull and nauseous from the bad grapes.

Then, we start to think we will never write this play.

We put ourselves down.

“Boy, do I suck!”

We curse the universe for letting us think we could ever easily write a play.  

So we turn on the TV, and maybe eat some dry cereal, and then we open the wine!(More old grapes in a different package.)

"I have Writer's Block today." we think.

"I will get to this tomorrow."

2 bottles later…

Ever been here?  

Fun, huh?

No.

Not really.

There is a cure for what we label "Writer's Block."

Here it is:  

On the days, or the writing sessions, when it just isn't flowing... 

Simply research your play.

If your play is about Poland in 1953, search Poland and the time period. If you are doing a play about LOVE ADDICTION, search it and read case studies, personal accounts and more. If you are doing a play about the Civil Right's Movement in the 1960's, take the day and LEARN everything you can about that time and about what was happening, even if you did research earlier.

There is always more to learn!

Listen to music of the time.

Watch old movies on similar subjects!

And have fun in the process.

And believe it or not, ideas will come to you in this process.

Many of my clients and class participants start writing within minutes of researching! Others sit down the next day and the dialogue flies out of them with a new, more specific perspective.

So if you feel you are blocked, don't waste your writing time.

RESEARCH!

And throw out those old grapes too!  

Yuck!

---