Source: Pexels
As a writer, one of my most hated things I've encountered was a mental block out; some refer to it as a writer’s block. It is not selective, it happens to all. It’s simply unavoidable. As I advanced and developed my writing skills and techniques, I learned the things needed to avoid the so called "writer’s block".
Being new here in the Steemit network, it took me some time to fully grasp the whole concept of the platform. I also found out that most of the basic topics about everything are already covered. That's really a pain in the *** for starters. For neophytes like me, don't be discouraged and think that you will have hard times creating powerful contents. Like I mentioned above, mental block out is inevitable.
Here are simple tips to get back into the flow and avoid this dreaded writer's block .
First, come up with a topic.
Though coming up with your own title and topic is a bit time consuming, this can still be considered as an easy part. But to really make it very easy for you, here is a good tool you can use.
This online tool is called AnswerThePublic. This tool is a type of data visualisation tool. Depending on your query, this tool will present a series of visualizations that will really help you with the topic you have in mind.
screenshot from answerthepublic website
Let me give you an example, I searched for the term "STEEMIT".
screenshot from answerthepublic website
After hitting the ENTER button, it will show your 5 types of results. They are Questions, Prepositions, Comparisons, Alphabeticals and Related.
screenshot from answerthepublic website
We have searched for "STEEMIT", AnswerThePublic provided us the following:
- Questions - 7
- Prepositions - 46
- Comparisons - 27
- Alphabeticals - 0 (no screenshot since there is no data provided)
- Related - 20
Questions
screenshot from answerthepublic website
Prepositions
screenshot from answerthepublic website
Comparisons
screenshot from answerthepublic website
Related
screenshot from answerthepublic website
It's pretty amazing right? You got all the possible topics you need for the term STEEMIT. You can search whatever you want and this nifty tool will provide what you might need.
You have the TOPIC, time to get started
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This is where you tend to pause and start asking what should you write, how to start the topic or what are the things I should write about this topic.
To avoid this, try to surf the internet. Look for articles or websites that is similar to your subject and read some of it. This way you’ll have ideas and gather them all. You can use those ideas later on in your piece. Of course, doing a Google search is very helpful. You can also try checking on blogs, some great writers are fond of writing blogs which are very informative.
Don’t just depend on the internet.
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You can borrow books on a local or public library and get some thoughts. Read newspapers and other reading materials which you can derive meaningful information which may give you additional insight about your topic. This only means that you’ll have to do some digging up or research. Just like a student, you need to do your homework and make sure to use different items to come up with the best writing ever.
Make sure to write every day.
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This is one way of ensuring that your mind is active and is up to date. You can never go wrong once your mind is alert and keeps on running. You’ll never run out of ideas. You must start developing a pattern or an outline when it comes to writing. Sooner or later, you’ll get used to your pattern that you’ll eventually feel that you’re just doing an ordinary thing.
There are daily contests on Steemit that will help you get going. Here are some daily contest that will help you in the process.
Most of these doesn't involve much words to use but to practice yourself more, adding 2-3 paragraphs on your entries will help you a lot and by doing so, you’ll learn how to avoid writer’s block.
There
Fifth, never fail to take enough rest and sleep.
Source: Pexels
If you want to write something, never fail to take enough rest. Sleeping at least 8 hours a day can surely provide you a rejuvenating feeling and an alertness level which is helpful. You also need to take enough rest, not just physically but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. By being free of everything gives you enough ability to think clearly and spontaneously.
Lastly, earn to enjoy what you do.
Source: Pexels
By enjoying what you do and loving it will reflect your work. Writing something that comes from the heart and with efforts of research will never go wrong.
Final Words
Writer’s block is actually normal and not everyone is exempted. In fact, almost everyone who has done writing in a professional way or even unprofessional has this experience. We all came to a point where we ask and don’t know what’s next. An empty thought is disappointing however thanks to multiple reading materials available not just in libraries but also in the internet, a writer’s block can easily be avoided.
