I'm having a writer's block recently. I can't say exactly why, but I
had a lot of ideas, but I can't put it on the blog or even on a paper
(which I usually preferred to do before posting stuff). Maybe because of
the distraction (getting excited with going back to University) and or
having problems with the language; I could write five pages essay on my
language, Filipino, but having hard time when translating it on English
in the same number of page (usually turned out less than two pages since
paragraphs in Tagalog tend to have a shortcuts when translated in
English).
I,
someone who's having a writer's block lately will give some advice on
how to survive this kind of scenario (I wish I could insert a laughing
audio here.)
1. Read... A LOT
Better be reading a lot rather than copying someone else's work. It
happened to me while I was in high school while doing my mini-thesis.
It's not a good Idea, yes it is. What do we call that thing? Plagiarism.
Reading, even if the thing you are reading right now would be as catchy
as you think, in time it'll be as useful and precious. I read a lot in
times that I'm in the mood and even I don't have to gather idea, I just
use it as a stock knowledge.
2. Know when you are able to write; Ritual-like WRITING time
I do believe that a writer do have a time when he is able to write no
matter how destructive the place he is into. Instead, he uses the
destruction as part of his writing. But the shortest way to explain it
is it is like a ritual. My Rituals on writing are listening to some
music (Genres doesn't matter as long as it doesn't sound disturbing)
before and while writing articles. I can't write during day, it supposed
to be midnight (I don't know why). No one should be around-watching me
writing. I can't write serious topics and long posts when someones
around.
3. Know your interests
Of course, you can't be
able to write about things if it isn't what you like. Knowing your
interests will give you much of ideas in no time.
4. Catch your idea with your pen and paper
You're not with
your laptop/PC/tablet/Cellphone all the time, so you should have your
pen and paper at all times. Ideas come and go without saying so you have
to write it down and save it in your pocket. And when you're ready to
write about things you want to share, you have something like a resource
of what you are going to post or share. I preferred to have a mini
fountain pen and a pocket notebook with me all the time and I used to
write while walking since I entered the Uni.
5. Some preferred to have inspiration
Does getting inspired makes you as a good writer? Then, Find a way to
be inspired. If Listening to music, watching movie or even looking to
the empty sky will make you inspired, then do it a lot.
6. Don't limit yourself
There's a lot of topics around. Get out of the box. If you used to write about love, why don't try heartbreaks? It's still relative. Every topic has a broad definition and has branches and roots too...
7. Write
As simple as that. Even if there's no relativity on the words you are
writing right now, there will be... soon. Yes. It's nonsense to say that
you have to write no matter what word are going to appear on that paper
or screen, there will be a thought that will pop out in no time.
