Day 19: Attacking writers block

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 19: Attacking writer's block

Serious bloggers, especially those who want to crank out a post every day often find themselves short of inspiration. They want to write, they feel the need to write, but nothing comes to mind.

When that happens to me, I have a system … I go clean something. It doesn’t matter what as long as it involves soap and water, doing dishes doesn’t count.

Faced with a serious case of writer's block I cleaned the bathroom today: the storage cabinet, the toilet, the sink, mirror, and the floor. Not the bathtub though. I’ve hurt my back once too often cleaning the tub so that a job for my dear son.

While I was working, Halley kept a close eye on the proceedings. I wouldn’t have been at all surprised if at one point she would have said: “You missed a spot.”

No sooner was everything dried off or Halley jumped on the sink and turned herself into a ball.

Washing windows is also great therapy for lack of inspiration. There’s something about the water, the movements and the feeling of cleaning that allows the creative juices to flow. While washing, rinsing and drying, the writer has time to think.

In the past when I was washing windows I had Mickey by my side. We used to call him inspector Mickey. As you can see he took his job very seriously.

Back to inspiration though, or rather lack thereof. The next time you find yourself with a case of writer's block, try the following.

Take a piece of paper and a pen and draw a small circle. 

Write a letter, any letter in that circle. 

Draw four circles around that circle and write words starting with the letter you chose.

Draw more circles and write words that you associate with words in the four circles.

Before long something will come to mind. For instance ... tulip, flowers, vase, may remind you of a time you gave or received flowers.

Tea, coffee, cake, may remind you of a baking mishap.

You get the picture.

Alternatively, you can go onto social media and take a look around. There might be something to make you laugh, cry, horrified, or boiling mad. Up to you to take it from there.