The definition of writer's block is a usually temporary psychological inability to begin or continue work on a piece of writing. It can paralyze some writers and even cause them to walk away from their writing. Why does this happen? All we have to do is figure out what happens next. Right? So how do you get rid of writer’s block?
How to get rid of writer's block
When my creativity hits the writer's block wall, I often step outside and go for a walk. It doesn't have to be a long walk. Just a get-away-from-the-screen walk. At times it might be for 10 minutes or less. And when I do, I often find renewed creativity that offers possibilities dealing with the direction of my plot, the backstory of a character, the building of my fictional world, and on and it goes. My walk in the real world sends me down a path of new possibilities.
I’m currently reading a book titled “The Ultimate MANual: Dr. Samadi's Guide to Men's Health and Wellness.” In it, Dr. Samadi says that getting outside and exercising taps into your creative side.
“If you find your creative juices have dried up, spend more time exercising. Fitness fanatics will vouch for exercise’s effect on brain functioning. Research has found that regular exercise appears to improve creative thinking. From encouraging the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus to improving memory, even a simple walk can help people come up with new ideas, a mindset that persists even after exercise stops. […] To really tap into your creative side, take your workout outdoors—spending time in nature boosts cognitive effects too.” (The Ultimate MANual: Dr. Samadi's Guide to Men's Health and Wellness, p. 155)
In my book Pumping Your Muse, several writing exercises take place outdoors. For today’s writing prompt, I'll meld the first two exercises from Chapter 3: Smells and Sounds - Adding Your Two Sense into a prompt for you.
Today’s Pumping Your Muse prompt
It’s time to go for a walk. Saunter down the street or go sit on a park bench. Take fifteen minutes to listen. Pay special attention to what you hear and smell. Whether you spend your 15 minutes in one place or five-minute segments in different settings, make sure to write down your observations. Don’t worry about describing them, but list them on paper or use your phone.
Choose
one sound or smell from your list and write two sentences or short scenes. In your first
example, lead the reader to enjoy the sensory information. In the second, write
to elicit an opposite response. For instance, if fresh-cut grass is on your list, you could write a scene based
on childhood recollections of frolicking with playmates on a freshly cut lawn.
The negative could portray a man with plans to plunk down, put his feet up and
watch the game. Then he hears his neighbor's lawnmower. A sense of dread
settles over him. He will have to cut the grass to keep his wife happy. The
reaction to the aroma or odor will show the reader how it is perceived. Good or bad.
* * *
