Answers To Blank Page Syndrome
We’re talking about writers block today. And how you can beat it before it beats you.
Before you can overcome writer’s block, it’s going to be helpful to figure out what is causing it for you. Here are some of the most popular causes of blank page syndrome.
1) BEWARE OF THE CURSE OF PERFECTIONISM
You only want to produce perfect stuff. It must be a masterpiece of literature or you won’t release it.
Your first sentence must be just right. So you reject all those half-dribbled opening lines while you wait for perfection to descend upon your keyboard. Sorry, it probably won’t happen.
Write twaddle if you need to – but start writing. Just do it.
If you cant write twaddle, bang out some codswallop.
2) AVOID EDITING WHEN YOU SHOULD BE COMPOSING
Experts in brainstorming tell us to just keep up the flow of ideas. Let ’em flow. Do nothing to stop them.
Don’t evaluate anything.
Don’t correct anything.
Don’t stifle anything.
Just let the stuff flow out of you onto the screen.
For now it doesn’t matter a jot or a tittle if it’s A-grade garbage.
Let it flow.
Certainly don’t reject any idea. Just keep the ideas flowing like a gusher.
The critiquing and editing process comes later, after the brainstorming session has been completed. That’s how brainstorming sessions are supposed to be run. All the off the wall ideas are captured.
Do the same with your writing.
Write twaddle if you need to – but start writing. Dont do any editing for now – leave that till later on.
3) HOW TO GET STARTED WHEN YOU CANT GET STARTED
Why is it that the first sentence always seems the hardest? That’s a rhetorical question, I guess, do you dont need to answer it.
Write empty headed drivel for your first sentence if you have to. You can always delete it later.
ONE SOLUTION that works for me is to think of the writing task like replying to an email. Emails are so temporary – they are not intended to be works of art. They are designed to quickly convey a bit of info to somebody. They’re certainly not submissions to the Literary Prize Department. They’re just you quickly dash out to say what has to be said.
Here’s how the “pretend it’s an email” trick works. I imagine my buddy has written asking me a question and I want to dash off a quick but helpful response. Something like
“Hi John. Got your email, thanks. In my experience, the best way to get rid of those pesky aphids from your rose bushes is…”
And you’re away.
No drama.
No performance pressure.
No thought that you are writing the next Great American Novel.
It’s just a quick email.
And the main thing is… you’ve started writing. Come back to it later with your Editor’s hat on and do the needed editing – and you’re ready to publish.
ANOTHER SOLUTION that also works for me is to just start out by saying I dont know what to say. Something like…
“i dont know what to say so i am just typing rubbish here. my article is supposed to be about how to pick a family friendly puppy but i havent a clue about what to say first of all. i wonder what sort of things parents would be thinking about as they head off to the pet shop…”
Okay. If you just delete the first useless sentence and tidy the rest up a little bit, this would be okay. Your opening paragraph might turn out something like this…
“This article is about how to pick a family friendly puppy. What sort of things should parents be thinking about as they head off to the pet shop?”
And then you’re into it. Let the conversation flow. Start answering the question and you’re in business. Pretty soon your article has written itself.
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