1. Create an idea file.
2. Use your computer to capture thoughts.
3. Harness the power of the web and social bookmarking sites.
4. Subscribe judiciously to networking groups.
5. Use tape flags to mark likely resources.
6. Schedule creative time on a regular basis.
7. Schedule time with an accountability buddy.

Having your resources ready at your fingertips is an essential first step. A truly creative cook may be able to whip up culinary marvels, but he or she must first know what's in the cupboards!

However, amassing your mental resources is an easy preparatory step when compared with the long, long slog through writer's block and trying to actually get something down on paper.

The process of collecting thoughts and information from others (or from previous incarnations of yourself, if we're talking about notes in your idea file) can eventually go from research to procrastinating busy work if writer's block prevents us from taking the necessary next step towards actually writing.

There are almost as many ways to conquer writer's block as there are people who need to be writing, so I hope you will all contribute your ideas. Here are a few of my favorite ways to get through that post-research, blank-page (or blank screen) wall to something worthy of sharing with the world.

1. Cram for the test and make crib notes. Take one last opportunity to read through all your resources and as each major thought or argument passes before you, scribble a note on an index card. After going through everything, take these crib notes and shuffle through them. Find a dining or drafting table or a wide expanse of floor space and organize the cards in a way that makes sense to you. Mind map, create an life-sized outline (remember seventh grade school reports?) or timelines. Seeing, or arranging, various ways all of the thoughts to see how TANGIBLE representations of the ideas can fit together is a great way to break through that wall to crystallize an architectural pattern for your writing.

2. Write a letter to a long-lost friend. This is a more casual version of the blue book essay exams we took in school. We need some way to get comfortable with the notion of "this is what I'm going to talk about". Sometimes, we know too much about a topic to get a handle on where it should begin…so we fail to begin, as well.

Sit down at your legal pad (or word processing program) and start with "Dear X, I am trying to write my (speech, book, etc.) It's generally about [insert overarching idea here]. Basically, I'm trying to bring together [list one to five major categories]. For example…" and then just free-write what you'd tell a friend about the subject you're writing about. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, penmanship or typing skills. Don't fret about logical connections between ideas or jumping from idea to idea. Just concentrate on what you'd want your friend to know by the time she folded the letter, stood up and walked away after having read it.

3. Call your accountability buddy. This works similarly to writing the letter to the imaginary friend, except you get feedback. You need to make sure you're talking with your official accountability buddy and not just a friend or acquaintance because this process has to be about your topic and can't wander off into side subjects like what's for dinner or what the other person has procrastinated in doing.

Your buddy can ask you pointed questions like "how does THIS related to THAT?" or force you to clarify connections and pathways, or even help you reach epiphanies. Your buddy can play the dodo, asking for clarifications for even the allegedly most "obvious" notions, or can play Devil's Advocate to make sure you cover all your bases. The key is to either record the conversation or take notes on everything you've covered. A "transcript" of the conversation will help you flesh out your ideas and hit essential points that might have been forgotten.

4. Begin with the end in mind. This works especially well when you're trying to write a speech, but is effective for any short-form work as well. What's the absolute essential nugget of information you'd want the audience to have when they walk out of the room or finish reading? If you could only tell them ONE thing, what would it be? Picture yourself at the end of speech or the article saying "In summary, the most important thing to know is…" and start there. Then work backwards to develop the building blocks to that end point.

5. Stop being yourself. Often, our writer's block comes from a position of neuroses. Our thoughts move quickly: We have to write, we have a little trouble writing, we can't ever write, we're frauds and imposters and now everyone will know! Wow. That was fast.

So, separate the writer from the writer's block by taking on the persona of someone else – an envied friend, a role model, a fictional character. I still remember having difficulty with a persuasive speech in college and giving up to watch thirtysomething in the dorm TV room. It just happened that the most corporate of all the characters, Ellyn (who had a mess of a personal life but a brilliant career), was giving a presentation. As she confidently summarized, she then said "I strongly urge you…" I can't recall what she urged them, but that moment of confidence stuck with me. I went back to the writing table, imagining myself as Ellyn, and the speech wrote itself. To this day, when I'm writing speeches and come to a block, I'm no longer goofy Julie but husky-voiced, well-coifed Ellyn (Polly Draper), with fabulous shoes.

6. Take a break! Sometimes we really are overthinking things. If you followed last week's suggestions about building creative time into your schedule, you're not too close to your deadline when facing writer's block, so when you find you can't write two words put together, take a break. Get out of the house, and out of your head, and do some mindless tasks like grocery shopping or washing the car.

Take a shower! I find that since you're never expecting anything more of yourself than "Lather. Rinse. Repeat" your brain stops rebelling and brings brilliance your way between shampooing and conditioning.

Take a walk! Sometimes you need fresh air in your lungs and fresh vistas in front of your eyes to get a fresh perspective. Walk the dog, walk yourself through the neighborhood (or through a neighborhood you've never seen before) or walk a spiritually (or otherwise) compelling location.

7. Get lost! There's a reason mazes and labyrinths are so popular for meditative purposes. Find something close to your home that's similar to San Francisco's Grace Cathedral. It doesn't have to be a religious experience; I'm Jewish, but on previous vacations to the labyrinth at (Catholic) Grace Cathedral, I've been amazed at the inspiration I've found in walking the curlicue paths. (Closer to home, we have a corn maze each Fall at a local tourist attraction. The crowds mitigate the creative and inspirational value, but it's still a fun experience.)

8. Do nothing. Seriously. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Turn off all outside stimuli (radio, television, wind chimes, yammering neighbors). Set a blank pad and pen in front of you or a keyboard and empty screen. And just sit. Don't write.

You may have to sit on your hands, but do not, under any circumstances, write anything. You have no idea how long 15 minutes can be until you sit in one place, staring at nothing but a blank screen or page, with an obligation to write nothing. Your thoughts may wander for two or three minutes, but by the end of a quarter hour, your brain will be fairly bursting with ideas and you'll be chomping at the bit to start writing.

OK, your turn. What do you do to combat writer's block?

--
Julie Bestry, Certified Professional Organizer®
Best Results Organizing
"Don't apologize. Organize!"
organize@juliebestry.com
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