Article Challenging Writer's Block: How Experienced Authors Make Time to Write

http://zeitschrift-schreiben.eu/globalassets/zeitschrift-schreiben.eu/2008/smeets_writers_block.pdf

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/26e7/68b98963bcfe903dd6e00933600f084dc106.pdf

In my humble opinion, it is always important and vital to check and reflect about the mode of presentation. Structure (abstract, key-terms, classifications, core hypothesis, body of information, ...) is needed as a literary foundation, but writing or composing a text/presentation or so should be connected to the pleasure of creating something new, also in terms of scientific perception. In this sense, I would say, we have to work creatively on our perception of any topic and to give it a new meaning. Working on formal correctness should be done later; it is also helpful to use impressive image content.

There are many different ways to overcome/avoid writer’s block.

The first is simple writing discipline; set a fixed time, about 2 hours each work day, write, and stick to it. It’s a kind of cognitive gym workout. You are building mental muscle-mass. The development of writing as a habit helps reduce any block.

Another is to have more than one project running at once, when a block arises on one, simply shift to another. Even small progress is meaningful and rewarding. The third is probably the toughest, a technique from screenwriting called ‘snowploughing.’ You simply produce everything you need to write to complete the work, A to Z, without worrying about structure, spelling, style, even quality. This draft is ‘snowploughed’ though, effortfully worked and pushed at until complete. Then you re-read, edit and polish. Structure, style and quality are developed in the editing process, and are much easier to put in place when you’ve a body of text to work with.

I also find writing in different locations helps, a variety of coffee shops, the library at home, etc.

Remember how and what you write should naturally change relative to what stage you are at with any research. Writing should be a context-sensitive, subtle art. There’s more than one way to write, so find the solution that suits your disposition and topic.

Hi Adhara, I know what your mean :) I find the best way is to start reading parts of your research which really interest you, take notes as you go and gradually your interest in the project gets recharged. Sometimes it is enough to just write what at first may be perceived as rubbish, you may come back to it and find it is not too bad, but at least it will get you started. Don't be too critical of yourself, you can always go back and edit! Good luck.

Require a paper. Some were shocking, but others excellent.

I like the suggestion of doing it in class, but I would be concerned about the quality. Some students had never written a paper, which amazed me.

Doing it out of class, means taking time to research, write and review.

One highly effective means of overcoming writers block is to write one sentence. Just one sentence only. Then one more. It's important that it doesn't matter whether it is a good sentence or not. This removes the block of perfectionism and the block of what seems an overwhelming task. After a few sentences, usually flow takes over.

I had students (undergrad, grad. & med.) write brief papers about their own life experiences in Psychology of Self, Psychology of Religion and Humanities in Medicine.It was and ought to be difficult, but later students thanked me,

as it was extremely important, even healing

Be an example : Write quality & creative articles and books.

For me a writer's block usually occurs when I can not explain a research finding or when I fail to explain to myself what I want my readers to get from me. It also occurs when an unrelated situation that is not so pleasant occurs in my life.

To overcome this block, I just set up another task for myself or start doing something and not pay attention to that specific manuscript. I can try to take myself completely off that manuscript until one day, I either dream of how to better express myself and it all just comes together. It also happens that if I ignore the specific block, I will wait untill I feel guilty about the way I abandoned the unfinished work

Borden Mushonga: "To overcome this block, I just set up another task for myself ...and not pay attention to that specific manuscript. I can try to take myself completely off that manuscript...It also happens that if I ignore the specific block, I will wait untill I feel guilty about the way I abandoned the unfinished work." -- It's funny how I can totally relate to this. Thanks for sharing, Borden.

=)

I agree with Lorraine Joy Marchioro. Thanks Lorraine for the excellent insight.