At our last potluck, we sampled the power and effect of words. But what if our words are absent, but the expectation and desire to write them is not? It’s often labeled writer’s block.
Ahh... the feared state of writer's block. Rather than investigate the plethora of causes, why not get about a few light-hearted tips to cure the malady?
Now that you know what’s cooking at Potluck With Tonya Penrose, I want to share the recipe to banish writer’s block.
This week’s serving is for everyone who writes…anything. Emails, work-related things, a note to your child’s teacher, the next best-selling book, and yes, even a letter to Santa. (I still believe.) We’re always writing and expressing. And some days, we find the right words are MIA, but maybe no more.
The lid’s off…the tips await our sampling. The goal is to elicit emotions by experiencing something different to break the block. It’s that simple. Give it a whirl.
1. Take a long walk with nature but do come back.
2. Treat yourself to a forbidden dessert. Note the singular noun tense. Savoring each bite will produce words of bliss that just might release the block.
3. Slip into a meditative state, choosing a mantra to shame your vacationing muses back to work. Pose one question. Sit in silence. Wait for the answer. I’ve gotten snappy book titles by sitting silently and disconnecting from my mind’s lousy suggestions.
Aside: Old Mountain Cassie promises meditation will bring words flowing from the Source. She’s adamant that your best work will come when you state your purpose and ask for what you need. And Cassie’s never wrong…ever.
4. Find a political story that incites high emotion. Write your government official a call to action...now with unblocked words.
5. Last, and with sincerity, celebrate this temporary interruption in word flow. The well is always full, but the pump just needed some maintenance.
Final thoughts…I see the ability to express ourselves as a unique gift. Don’t you? Our words, spoken or written, need to be heard. They matter. They have value. Let’s celebrate writer’s block as a way to forge connections within that we didn’t know were there!
Next time, we’re going off the beaten path. Our potluck might happen in a rose garden with my favorite sage.
I would love to take a long walk with Cassie! She's so very wise indeed! :)
Love your analogy about the pump needing maintenance! So very true. <3
Good ideas! I might be inclined to claim WB every other day just so I can indulge Idea #2, though. Number three's the winner; go with that one. Trust Cassie.