This article shows how to eliminate writer’s block by using the full power of your mind. These methods are especially helpful for creative writing. However, they can be applied to any type of writing.
Writer’s block
This is the condition where a normally productive writer becomes stymied for no apparent reason. Writer’s block can be very harmful to the professional life of a writer. If you can’t write, how are you going to make any money? Have no fear, relief for your problem is at hand.
Creative writing requires the cooperation of both parts of your mind. So before we can talk about solving your problem, we first need to briefly discuss these two parts of the mind and how they can work together to produce quality writing.
Parts of the mind
The mind consisted of two parts. These are the conscious, and the subconscious. From now on I will use the term “Adult” for the conscious portion of the mind. I will use the term “Child” for the subconscious portion of the mind.
Nature of the two parts of the mind — The normal Adult mind is the controller. It is controlling, stern, and restrictive. It is meant to take command of most situations and determine what actions are required.
The normal Child mind is the creator. It is creative, playful, and uninhibited. It also stores vast quantities of information accumulated over a person’s lifetime. It can access this storehouse to produce almost any information required.
The need for balance between the two parts — Writer’s block results when the Adult and the Child portions of a person’s mind are not cooperating.
For example, the Child may want to be creative and begin writing, regardless of how good it is. The Adult may insist that the initial writing must be acceptable to start with.
Another situation that results in writer’s block is when the Adult does not know what to do and is unwilling to let the Child start writing on its own.
These situations can last for an indefinite period.
The writing session
Now that we have discussed the parts of the mind and how they create writer’s block, let’s review the writing session.
Duties of the Adult during a writing session — The Adult mind reviews the material or requirements at hand and determines what is to be done next. In some cases this may require a set of requirements and/or guidelines. If specifying, editing, proofreading, or other Adult functions are required, then the Adult can perform these functions immediately.
Duties of the Child during a writing session — The Child mind produces creative writing as required by the situation at hand. In some cases this may require a suitable interval to allow a switchover between the Adult and Child functions of the mind.
A normal writing session — There are two possible styles for a writing session. In one style, first the Adult determines the requirements and/or guidelines, then the Child produces creative material, and finally the Adult edits this material and decides what to do next. This repetitive process continues until the writing requirements have been satisfied. However, this is the style that is most susceptible to writer’s block.
In another style, the writing session begins by having the Child produce some creative material. Then the Adult edits this material and decides what to do next. This repetitive process continues until the writing requirements have been satisfied. This style can be used to advantage by writers who are producing extremely creative and/or unusual material. In this case the writer may only have a vague idea of how the project is going to turn out. So it is left up to the Child to guide the project.
How to eliminate writer’s block
Eliminate Writer’s Block By Controlling Your Mind Power
The problem lies with the Adult part of your mind. You need to review the two following cases to see which one applies. Then you can perform the indicated actions.
Case 1 — Problem: The Child may want to be creative and begin writing, regardless of how good it is. The Adult may insist that the initial writing must be acceptable to start with.
In this case we have a perfectionist attitude to deal with. At its heart, perfectionism is based on the fear of being criticized by others. The solution is to deliberately produce a series of writings that are not up to your high standards. Then you can show these writings to others so everyone can have a good laugh over them. Keep doing this until you no longer are afraid of criticism.
Case 2 — Problem: The Adult does not know what to do and is unwilling to let the Child start writing on its own.
In this case the Adult is very controlling and is afraid of losing power to the Child. At its heart, excessive control is based on the fear of losing power. The solution is to deliberately allow your Child to start writing. It doesn’t matter what the writing is about. Just let the Child be in control for a change. Keep doing this until you no longer fear allowing the Child to start writing on its own.