By Jessi McKain
The Hoffman Agency, San Jose
Writer’s block can be quite the pits, so what works and what doesn’t to overcome it? Giving advice on overcoming writer’s block is a lot like giving advice on how to become a morning person, tips to motivate yourself to get outside more and how to be creative. It’s all fairly subjective, and the truth is in the eye of the beholder … so bear with me here.
In the public relations field, you often switch from project management, research or organizational tasks, to writing. While this quick change of pace at a moment’s notice keeps your day from being anything but boring, writing when you’re not in the mood is no easy feat.
Personally, I find it hard to switch from project management or organization mode to creative mode. Here are a few tips I use when I have to put my creative game face on. After all, a PR girl’s gotta do what a PR girl’s gotta do.
Read.
Read something that isn’t work-related. It can be the book on your desk, a short story online or anything really. Reading other people’s writing not only makes you a better writer, but it can also get the creative juices flowing.
Write.
Believe it or not, writing more actually does make you a better writer — not the advice you were looking for, I know. Writing something that isn’t related to your task at hand will warm up those writing muscles.
Listen.
Creativity and inspiration can come from all around us. If you’re a big music person like me, put on some of your favorite jams, sit back, relax and get to typing. Maybe this is just my runner instinct, but I find typing to a beat just as relaxing as running to one. It’s all about finding your rhythm.
Isolate.
If you work in an office or go to coffee shops to get your work done, you’re well aware that other people can be plain distracting. Especially if those other people are around while you are trying to focus on a daunting task. I find removing myself from a situation and forcing myself into a room with my own thoughts can really kick start the process.
Talk.
After you’ve spent some time visualizing the outline of what you want to write, talk it through with a colleague, friend or your cubical wall. Talking through your storyline or idea with someone might spark a new one; or hey, that person might even have a good idea herself.
These are just a few of my publicly acceptable tips to share. What do you do when writer’s block hits you?
