How to Cure a Writing Block

by: Temi Idowu

Graphics by: Temi Idowu

Alas, the inevitable has come. It is time to write a creative, profound, and amazing piece that will be declared by many as “the next best thing since Shakespeare!” It’s your time to walk on that Nobel Prize stage and accept your reward for creating the most outstanding piece of literature in existence.

You walk to your device and sit in your comfy desk chair while lo-fi beats make their waves in your room. Everything is perfect…except your brain is empty. Thoughts? Nonexistent. The little semblance of an idea that you had turns into discombobulated sentences and disjointed words. Looks like your brain decided to take a vacation.

Familiar scenario? Look no further! Here I present: “How to Cure a Writing Block!” Is the title creative? Not really, but I’m not above having writing blocks either. Bear with me people! 

For all my fellow students and creatives, I present a step-by-step guide to get out of a writing block. 

~How to Cure a Writing Block~

*You can follow all steps or skip around however you like!*

A) Find an open field, sit crisscross applesauce, and wait for the power of creativity to come down upon you.

…

Well.

The ideas are taking their sweet time getting here, so let’s go on a walk instead!

B) Go for a walk

Depending on where you live, this is an effective way to cleanse your mind. Unfortunately, this is Texas, so unless the heat stimulates your creativity…

Please go back inside.

C) Call on your religion/higher power

Now, this step depends on your personal belief system/spirituality. Of course, this step is optional. For some (including myself), seeking inspiration from a higher power fuels their creativity. 

To reiterate, this step is optional. Onto the next step!

D) Try a… special potion??

You ask a classmate how to help and they give you a nondescript bag claiming it’s what everyone used in the seventies…

“That’s why the music was so good!”

However, you politely decline because you’ve seen too many documentaries about how that ends.

*The Liberator Magazine and the Liberal Arts Council do not condone any activities described here. Make responsible choices. Hook ‘em y’all.*

That leads to the last option…

E) Brain-Dump!

You find a quiet, but not too quiet space to work in. Turning your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode; you type whatever your mind is racing about, even though it’s just an inner monologue about how you can’t write anything. Unorganized sentences and disjointed topics fill your paper. 

Let’s hope you can find a topic soon.

~Resources~

https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/student-life/7-ways-overcome-writers-block/

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/writers_block/index.html

Thanks to Wikihow for inspiring these graphics.