Mega Artists Magazine Issue 7 | Page 23

Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown. The condition ranges in difficulty from coming up with original ideas to being unable to produce a work for years. We have source out possible ways to deal with writers block. The following six ideas might work for you. Try them. Step away from whatever you're writing and do anything that's creative. Paint pictures, write poetry, design images in Photoshop, make a scrapbook or collage, or if you're masculine, build something in the garage. Work on another creative project for a few hours or days and then go back to writing. Do freewriting. Spend 15 minutes or more a day writing whatever comes off the top of your head. Ignore punctuation. Just write freely. Allow it to be totally random. You might change subjects many times. You might mix fiction with journaling or vent frustrations. The process trains your brain to tap into the words inside your head and gives them a place to live on your computer screen or journal. Eliminate distractions. Turn off the phone and unplug from the internet. Clean up your work space. A cluttered desk puts the mind in a state of confusion. Carve out some time in your schedule just for writing — at least 3 to 4 hours. Giving yourself time and space to be in solitude is important to staying focused. Write early in the morning. When you first wake up, your brain is still in Theta mode, the brainwave pattern that your mind is in when you dream. Write while you sleep. Your subconscious mind is always problem solving, even when you're sleeping. Sometimes when I'm stuck on a chapter I'll write for 15-30 minutes prior to bedtime. http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/7-ways-to-overcome-writers-block www.megaartists.co.za Mar- Apr 2016 Page 22