Writer’s block—or should I say blogger’s block—is a common complaint. You stare at a blank screen, not seeming to be able to come up with anything decent to write about—not even that first word.
Why did this happen when you were once so good at cranking out the topics? Have you simply run out of things to say? Why can’t you seem to get one word out? Most frustratingly, the more time you spend thinking about blogging, the less time you have to work on your next project.
Is there a cure for blogger’s block? Actually, there are several cures.
Visiting other blogs is a good way to start. Check out some of your favorites, or do a random search and see what comes up. Seeing what others are talking about can spark your own creativity and get you over the blogger’s block hump.
Get started by leaving some comments for others. It might spark some ideas for your own post. Checking your mail can also help, as there might be a message or question there that can get you started.
Do a Google image search and look for random pictures relating to your topic. One or more of them may spark an idea. Or check out Google News. There is always something happening relating to any topic imaginable, and you’re sure to get an idea for your own post based on current events. Most likely you will discover an angle you can explore that you had never thought of before.
For more ideas, check out your iPhone. Inspirataur by The Beta Society ($0.99) will display an image, word or video every time you shake your iPhone to spark your creativity. Blogger Basics by Socially Conscious Software, LLC ($3.99) is claimed by its developer to be for writers of all genres; fiction, nonfiction, technical and more,” although it seems to be aimed heavily at writers of fiction. My favorite, however, is The Brainstormer by Tapnik ($1.99) which has three spinning wheels featuring plot/conflict, theme/setting and subject/location that can generate combinations that include prompts for your creative writing.
You can do quick research and verify your facts on Wikipedia. This is not only a great way to check what you’re writing, but to come up with other ideas as well. If you’re really at a loss for ideas, Wikipedia lists a notable event in history every day as well as a current news on the homepage.
If none of these ideas help, perhaps it’s time to take a break. Do something unrelated to writing. Go shopping, go for a walk or work on some of those household chores that have been nagging you for a while. Taking your mind off your blog can leave you refreshed and ready and able to start blogging again once you get back in front of your Mac.
This only scratches the surface of all the ways that are available to combat blogger’s block. We live in the age of an information explosion, and we have the whole world at our disposal, right at our fingertips.
Just remember that a little random surfing is a good way to get great ideas for your blog posts, so long as you are careful not to get sucked into the time-wasting whirlpool of mindless surfing.
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