Stuck In Traffic
Freeing Yourself from Writer’s Block
latanmurphy.com
Being trapped on the interstate in bumper-to-bumper traffic is not the way I like to spend my time! Can you relate to being stuck in traffic at the most inopportune times? It usually happens when under a deadline of some sort, or when running late for an important meeting, right?
Once stuck, it’s difficult to move over to an exit ramp. No one is paying attention to your predicament regardless of how fast and furious your rear blinker flashes.
I have often felt this way when it comes to writing. Finding myself ‘stuck in traffic’ time and time again as my fingers are held hostage on the keyboard. Creative flow is suddenly forced to stop in the midst of bumper-to-bumper plots and storylines trafficking through my head. With my creative flow stuck, clarity of content becomes crippled, threatening to block the message I am trying to convey.
Being ‘stuck in traffic’ is metaphorically something familiar to most writers. There is nothing worse than being on a good roll in your writing only to find yourself suddenly STUCK mid-stream with writer’s block.
I am excited to share a few ideas that have helped me move beyond writer’s block. Each of the following will equip and help to avoid being ‘stuck in traffic’.
- Passion - Write about things that you are passionate about; otherwise, you will find yourself stuck for sure!
- Authenticity - Express yourself authentically. Do NOT try to be someone else, or write like someone else. Authenticity is the best approach to writing, or speaking powerfully.
- Credibility - The most powerful books are written by people who keep their story-line true to themselves. For example: If you grew up in Europe, you have much to say about European culture. If your book is about depression, credibility would prove most powerful as you share YOUR story, instead of scientific facts only.
- Rest - In order to keep your thought processes flowing and moving in a productive direction, make sure to get plenty of rest the night before you begin an important writing venture. A clear mind equals no mental traffic jams! (Coffee always helps too!)
- Research – Be sure to do your homework after choosing your topic. Topical writing requires time and research.
- Relate – work hard at relating to your reader by drawing them into your story-line both intellectually and emotionally.
- Voice – be diligent about finding your voice in both written and spoken word.
In order to register for the Queen City Writer’s Conference in October 2014, please go to: http://qcwritersgroup.blogspot.com/
