Mention writer’s block and everyone thinks of the fiction writer who in the middle of writing a book suddenly comes a to a point where they cant decide where to take the story next. All the plans for character development and plot line go out the window. Others will see it more as the writer who cant even come up with a new story to write, stuck in the limbo between the completed story and the next work to be undertaken.
But writer’s block isn’t something confined to only people writing books. I always see writer’s block as a lack or loss of inspiration and that can affect anyone who is trying to create/build something. This includes people working in a technical field as well as artistic.
Anyone who is working on a project that requires them to constuct something can easily become stuck. It’s something I have experienced both in my work life and in writing post for on here. In my work life I get some input into developing the softwares we install. At times I even do some programming for them. Using the various functions and mathematical equations to construct conditional statements to enable the program to perform different functions depending on certain variables. It’s just as easy to encounter a block in your thought processes when programming as it is when writing a plot line.
It’s a frustrating experience make no mistake. Whether you are working to a deadline or just trying to methodically move your project alone. It can be kinda hard at times to get past baren creative patch, but there are ways to get past it:
- Take a break - The most obvious thing to do is to take a break. As soon as you hit that point where you get stuck is to move on and do something else. Just move away from your work area, let your mind forget about it. This really forms the basis of all the other things to do to break the block.
- Do something slightly related – I’ve often found when I am stuck on something that if I begin work in a similar area then my mind begins to look at the problem in a different way.
- Look at similar work – doing research can be a very good way to get around a block. Look at work that people have done that is similar to what you are trying to achieve. This can give you fresh ideas and new approaches to your problem.
- Go somewhere inspirational – Visit a place that is inspiring, somewhere with views, visit an exciting site of interest. Just something to take your mind away from the block, it will give your brain a chance to recharge. If your mind is like mine, you will probably still be thinking about the project subconciously.
- Work out – Go to the gym or doing some kind of exercise can be enough to kick start the process. I have had some of my most inspirational ideas when I am in the gym. I find that letting my mind wonder gets the creative jucies flowing
- Brainstrom - You are lacking ideas and stuck, you have a few little individual ideas. Brainstorming and getting them all on paper lets you link them all together. Once you have linked them all together you can look at them and take the bits that work together and use them to flesh out a new path.
Basically when you encounter that mental block you have to find a way to break it down. Make the insummountable task easier to get around by breaking it down into smaller tasks.