You sit at the computer, taunted by the blank Word document staring back at you. You think to yourself, “Surely this is a technical malfunction. A computer glitch. A bug in the bytes. I can’t be responsible for this white wasteland on my computer monitor.” But deep inside you know you cannot blame Microsoft for the giant empty spots in your mind where stories should be brimming. Only days before, you couldn’t type fast enough to put the words on paper. Now that river of creativity has dried up and you are suffering through a word drought. Deadlines looming, editors calling, pressure building ….

You have writer’s block.

Don’t panic. The condition is not permanent. In fact, busting through that mental block is easier than you think. Here are a few suggestions that have helped other writers start the ideas flowing again because every writer needs a C.L.E.A.R. M.I.N.D.

Clean:
I often find myself distracted when my domestic “to do” list is as long as my arm. I feel guilty knowing dishes need to be washed, bathrooms need cleaned, laundry awaits, and someone (me) has to start cooking dinner soon. When I’m at my desk worrying about what’s not getting done in my house, I take a break and tackle a few chores. Crossing a few items off my “to do” list allows me return to my writing guilt free.

Listen:
One novelist I know listens to music while she writes. She uses movie soundtracks, selecting music that coincides with the mood of the scene: ballads for the romantic moments, tension-filled music for the suspenseful scenes, and playful tunes for comedic chapters. The music triggers her creative juices and she makes her daily word count.

Exercise:
The body and mind are inseparable entities and the state of one affects the other. Writing is a sedentary job, and sometimes a sedentary body leads to a sedentary mind. I often tie on my running shoes and take a brisk walk midway through my writing day. The activity jump-starts my mind and I usually return home with a scene clearly pictured in my head.

Act:
People create in different ways. Some assimilate information by reading, others by hearing. Still others learn by doing. Because of their various creative styles, writers have different methods for building scenes. If you can’t envision the action and hear the dialogue, hop out of your chair and try a little acting. Sure, you’ll feel silly but you probably work alone, so no one will witness your amateur matinee. Your drama sessions will stimulate your mind and renew the flow of words to paper.

Read:
For many writers, reading helps recharge their creative batteries. While you read, your mind subconsciously absorbs the structure and flow of the words, setting your own writing mechanisms into motion. Pull out an old favorite or go to the library and check out a new novel. Reading will help you start writing again.

Move:
Staring at the same four walls day after day is a recipe for writer’s block. Add some variety to your writing life. Park a lawn chair in your yard and write outdoors. Drag the kids to the playground and turn a picnic table or bench into a writing center. Go to the beach. Sand won’t hurt your pencil and notebook. I’ve written many a chapter in the sophisticated surroundings of a McDonald’s playground.

Inhale:
When the pressure is on, writers often neglect the important stuff, like having fun! When was the last time you abandoned your desk and spent an hour goofing off? If you work hard, you need to play hard too. If writer’s block has you bound, take a breather from your writing schedule and enjoy an entertaining diversion. Hey, you might have a terrific experience that you want to incorporate into your next novel!

Nap:
Studies show that most Americans suffer from sleep deprivation. Sometimes those lost ZZZs translate into writer’s block. If your mind seems to be taking a siesta, maybe you should too. A 30-minute power nap can rejuvenate the body and mind and set the wheels turning again.

Draft:
If you have perfectionistic tendencies, you’ve probably driven yourself into writer’s block by trying to edit each sentence as you put it on paper. In this case, it doesn’t pay to be perfect. Trying too hard will frustrate a writer and slow the creative process. So relax! Give yourself permission to write rough drafts. They don’t have to be perfect the first time through. That’s where editing comes into play!

If you’ve tried all these and you still feel stifled when you sit down to write, don’t be discouraged. Think of it this way: no one feels like going to work every day! But slacking off is easier for a self-employed writer than for someone who punches a time clock. While inspiration makes a great motivator, good writers learn to write even when they do not feel like it. You may experience seasons when you simply have to tough it out. So, if nothing else works, sit down at your computer and force yourself to put words on the screen. Pushing through the tough times is the mark of a true professional.