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Four Ways to Beat Blogger’s Block

written by Guest Blogger on March 7, 2011

Writer’s block, also known as blogger’s block, can be a huge problem for bloggers who need to keep their sites updated on a regular schedule. Blogger’s block can actually keep a blogger from creating quality content that will keep readers interested in the blog. After all, we know how important quality content is to the health and success of a blog; therefore, we need to do everything we can to overcome blogger’s block. Here are just a few ways to get over your block and get back to blogging; please feel free to add more suggestions in the comments sections!

Change the Scenery

If you find yourself struggling to get your writing done at your usual work place, either a writing desk or a coffee shop, then you should try to change up where you write. Go to a nearby library or move everything to your kitchen table. Whatever you do, make sure you change the scenery enough to inspire your brain and move it out of its comfort zone. The idea is that the sudden shift will jolt your creative energies and help you to write about new and interesting topics.

Take a Break

Depending on your habits as a blogger, suffering from writer’s block can be your body’s way of telling you that it’s time to take a break from blogging. Turn off the computer, disconnect your phone, and head outside for a nice long walk. Take some time to relax with your family and friends. Watch some television. Ideally, the break from the repetitive actions of blogging will recharge your mind, helping you to gather new ideas subconsciously so that when you next sit down to blog, you’ll be fresh and full of ideas. If necessary, keep a small notebook with you while to you take a break; that way, you can write down any ideas you have so you won’t lose them.

Write Blindly

Blind-writing is a great exercise to help clear your head of all the jumble and disconnected thoughts you might have, especially if you do it early in the morning. Basically, blind-writing consists of writing non-stop for between five and ten minutes without looking at what you have written. You should turn off your monitor or cover your laptop screen with a piece of paper. Then, really, you simply write whatever comes to your head without stopping the movement of your fingers, even if this means repeating nonsensical phrases, writing sentence fragments, and making a text that seems incomprehensible. Once you’re all done, you should be able to read through the text and pick out one or two interesting ideas that you previously didn’t know you had. These are the subjects of your next few posts!

Comment on Other Posts

Maybe you’re blocked because of the pressure you might feel at having to produce a great article for your own blog? In that case, you should read some other blogs you like and try to write a comment in response to a post on another blog. After you have written the comment, don’t publish it! Instead, copy and paste it into your own blog and see if you can expand it to become a full-length post. The goal of commenting in another blog is simply to get you to write in reaction to an issue. Then, once your creative juices are flowing, you can turn that comment into your own content! Be sure to link back to the post to which you’re responding; that way you can continue the discussion.

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas who particularly enjoys writing about online universities. Questions and comments can be sent to: katherynrivas87 @gmail.com.

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{ 62 comments }

Penny Bid Auction Sites March 7, 2011 at 5:48 pm

I was working on a blog post today and it just wasn’t happening, so I just wrote down a bunch of thoughts and I’ll continue tomorrow.

Penny Bid Auction Sites March 7, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Good tips to use next time my head is in the fog. Love the blind writing tip.

Affiliate Home Business March 7, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Writing blindfolded? hahah..that’s funny!

PPC Ian March 7, 2011 at 11:09 pm

I agree, that is a funny tip! :-) Out of the entire list, the changing scenery one has really helped me out personally. This actually helps whether I’m blogging, affiliate marketing, or working on my job. By changing up things a bit, I can really motivate myself and power through important projects with creativity.

Abhik March 8, 2011 at 2:48 am

lol!! That’s indeed a funny tip.
I am sure I’ll make you laugh afterward.

Affiliate Home Business March 7, 2011 at 9:29 pm

You can’t just get creative when you want to be. Inspiration comes from nowhere!

Penny Bid Auction Sites March 8, 2011 at 8:04 pm

It doesn’t come from totally nowhere. It comes from reading a lot and writing a lot, it just comes naturally after a while.

Peter Get My Ex Back March 9, 2011 at 1:21 pm

It comes from everywhere – you just need to be relaxed enough in the brain department to let it happen :) Great tips

d3so March 8, 2011 at 1:17 am

I get it every week because my work schedule has been very busy. Thanks for sharing these tips.

Penny Bid Auction Sites March 8, 2011 at 8:05 pm

You mean your writing work schedule?

teecup March 7, 2011 at 6:39 pm

I deal with mine quite easily: I don’t write at all but draw inspiration from my cats

I either take a nap before brainstorming or simply turn to my collection of photos. There’s no rule about not using images for a blog entry. Adding the captions isn’t as grueling as feeling the pressure to come up with a “good blog post.”

Affiliate Home Business March 7, 2011 at 9:32 pm

How do I get my inspiration? From reading widely … as much as you can.

Abhik March 8, 2011 at 4:10 am

Reading is of course is a great source of inspiration, but you need to feel it yourself.

Penny Bid Auction Sites March 8, 2011 at 8:07 pm

Love the cats! They would give me inspiration.

Peter Get My Ex Back March 9, 2011 at 1:22 pm

That is a really good idea – those captions can easily lead to posts further down the track anyway – how does that quote go – a picture is worth a 1000 words – I can see how that would work :)

Justin Dupre March 7, 2011 at 7:31 pm

changing the scenery, commenting on other posts, and reading news are definitely good ways to beat bloggers block.

Affiliate Home Business March 7, 2011 at 9:32 pm

@Justin, I think the most important tip is to read more. As you read more, you will gain more knowledge.

Abhik March 8, 2011 at 4:16 am

I agree..
Whenever I feel board or just don’t feel like working, I visit blogs.

PPC Ian March 7, 2011 at 11:07 pm

Justin, I couldn’t agree more! Changing the scenery is a huge one for me. I really enjoy blogging while I’m traveling, living the dot com lifestyle!

simple wp blog March 7, 2011 at 7:48 pm

Never change the scenery or write blindly. They’re new ideas for me.
But the most solid block keeping me away from writing regular posts is my daily job!
..sigh!!
**like the cartoon anyway. :) **

Kirk Taylor March 7, 2011 at 8:17 pm

I bounce around on topics. Moving between blogs that have drastically different topics gives a great change of pace.

Affiliate Home Business March 7, 2011 at 9:34 pm

@Kirk, you are right pal. That is another way of “taking a breather”.

Celso Lemes March 7, 2011 at 8:40 pm

Nice tips. I aways get myself in the “Bloger Block” and struggle to write something.

Thanks!

Affiliate Home Business March 7, 2011 at 9:33 pm

@Celso, what type of niche market are you in?

semmy @ Make Money Online March 7, 2011 at 9:28 pm

Hi thank you very much for your post! Sometime I don’t get the idea what kind of topic should I post. You give me a clue. Thanks for your tips!

Affiliate Home Business March 7, 2011 at 9:33 pm

Yep, thanks for those tips!

Nick March 7, 2011 at 10:03 pm

I’ve been finding my self getting blogger’s block lately and for me I think taking a break from it all really did wonders to restore my motivation to post. It’s really easy to get obsessed and overthink things.

anitha March 7, 2011 at 10:17 pm

commenting on others will have some debits and we can learn something from them

PPC Ian March 7, 2011 at 11:08 pm

I agree! I have learned so much by commenting and becoming part of the conversation. In addition to solving blogger’s block, commenting can really drive some great traffic to your blog!

semmy @ Make Money Online March 8, 2011 at 6:55 am

yes and also build a relationship.

Shanker Bakshi March 7, 2011 at 11:08 pm

I had tested Blind writing only once, though it has amazing results but you can’t live with it for long. Ultimately you need to develop some good creative writing skill to be in the business.

Great post

Make Money Online March 7, 2011 at 11:12 pm

Haha thats a nice article, a very funny guess post. To be a blogger you do need some creativity, your readers will like orginal stuff.

PPC Ian March 7, 2011 at 11:17 pm

Another one to add to the list: Sleep! Too many of us bloggers compromise our own sleep to write blog posts. However, sleep is imperative to writing creative, compelling content!

David March 8, 2011 at 12:33 am

The more you blog, the harder it can be to come up with fresh ideas to write about. Two of the most important parts of a blog are compelling content and frequent updates.

Excellent post

Lakhyajyoti March 8, 2011 at 1:47 am

After writing thousands of posts it is really difficult for every blogger what he will write in his next post.

Affiliate Home Business March 8, 2011 at 6:02 am

Well, then how did Mashable and the likes keep their followers wanting for more?

semmy @ Make Money Online March 8, 2011 at 6:58 am

Yeah that’s right, I agree with you.

Sathish @ TechieMania March 8, 2011 at 1:01 am

Commenting helps a lot for me. Usually when I want to comment on other blogs, I go through line by line of what the author has written in the article and it helps me to gather some new ideas to write into a post. BTW Excellent article.

d3so March 8, 2011 at 1:19 am

Same for me. Visiting new blogs and checking out their content is inspires post ideas.

Abhik March 8, 2011 at 2:45 am

I follow 5~6 blogs regularly and comment on them..
I also helps me to find new ideas for posts.

semmy @ Make Money Online March 8, 2011 at 7:34 am

Yes that’s right, it’s help me also. I can find new Idea and also build a relationship. So in the future I can do an interview.

Lakhyajyoti March 8, 2011 at 1:43 am

Nice post.I generate ideas for new post from television, radio, forums and from other blog posts.

Affiliate Home Business March 8, 2011 at 6:01 am

Great ideas mate! These will become the source of my inspiration next time!

Dipesh Patel March 8, 2011 at 2:15 am

I believe study the subject and rotate the thoughts on the internet blog. What you write is something that needs expertise of subject. More you read more you learn and the better content will be developed.

Thank you
Dipesh Patel

Abhik March 8, 2011 at 2:42 am

Cool.. Nice tips there.
I must admin that I fall into that “Blogger’s Block” very often :)

Affiliate Home Business March 8, 2011 at 6:00 am

It is never embarrassed to confess that; I do experience it myself!

anitha March 8, 2011 at 3:31 am

Nice tips thanks for sharing it mate

Affiliate Home Business March 8, 2011 at 5:59 am

@anitha, John is always willing to share!

Tina Lindgren March 8, 2011 at 3:38 am

Hi john
Great article . I use the “blind writing” for several reasons:

1) If english is not your native language ( I am Danish) then it can
be very annoying always to have to look up the translation of a word.

2) you loose your inner story, bacause you are looking for the “perfect phrase”,
instead of “just” write your story.

Great Blog John , I’ll be back
Cheers
Tina

Abhik March 8, 2011 at 9:44 am

I agree. It is essential to write a grammatically correct post with no spelling mistakes.
Both your visitors and search engine will appreciate it.

BTW, It’s actually a guest post..

make money blogging March 8, 2011 at 7:17 am

Write blindy looks as funny as profitable in terms of blogging development, will try it :)

Enjoyed the post.

fas March 8, 2011 at 7:58 am

I think taking inspiration from other bloggers in the same niche helps.

Abhik March 8, 2011 at 9:45 am

Only if they share something inspirational. Otherwise, there are tons of blogs on that “Inspire Yourself” niche.

Peter Get My Ex Back March 8, 2011 at 12:55 pm

The change of scenary idea is a really good one. I know when I get blocked I go for a walk on the beach or just a drive and while I am thinking about “nothing” all sorts of ideas start to flow – it is true taking a break from your computer every now and then is good for your creativity :)

My 2 cents
Peter

Andrew @ Blogging Guide March 9, 2011 at 7:28 am

Standing up, getting a cup of coffee pacing a bit helps a lot whenever I encounter bloggers block. People tend to think better when their blood flows normally. I’d agree on commenting on other people’s work. Doing that (plus the coffee) stimulates my mind more to new and better topics for my next post. Thanks for the tip.

Allen Walker March 9, 2011 at 11:17 am

Thanks a lot for sharing that. :) I agree that changing the scenery can do wonders, as well as taking a break. Sometimes when you keep on thinking about the same thing over and over again, you tend to get stuck. Taking a break is a good way to get unstuck from mental blocks.

Another interesting post about the subject:
http://www.themysteriousmarketer.com/blogging/when-you-dont-know-what-to-blog-about

Latest Technology News March 10, 2011 at 3:29 am

On the weekend I got ‘speakers block’. I had to do two speaking gigs and a couple of times in my preparation ‘hit the wall’ when it came to creative ideas on how to make my presentations to the next level.

Design Flyer March 10, 2011 at 12:46 pm

ha ha.. its just the way it is..

christina March 13, 2011 at 10:28 pm

Not all the blogs will inspire but certain blogs will do so we have to be udpated with them

Fazal Mayar March 15, 2011 at 10:31 pm

definitely christina. Any blogger looks for new stuff to write about and they look at their neighours (in the online world of course :) ) to steal some ideas!

entertainment news April 1, 2011 at 10:22 pm

having an regular visits with others blogs will help us to earn a lot

singer divya April 1, 2011 at 11:25 pm

blogging community will help us to get more recent updates.