Writer's Block Shock?

As a full time children's television writer and author of over 50 children's books I have inevitably been struck down by Writer's Block. It comes at any time, and at any stage in a project and can happen to anyone. But there are ways to get the creative juices flowing again and get your words - and income - flowing!

Here are just some of the tried and tested methods that I use to overcome writer's block and stimulate my brain down new creative pathways.

Take a moment to get settled. Remove anything to hand that can distract your train of thought. Then get comfortable - put on those familiar slippers, pick up a faithful pen, and visit the smallest room in the house (not necessarily in that order). Finally, vow not to move from your favourite writing spot until you have tried some of the following methods -

Grouping: The brain works by word association and hanging words together on mental hooks. Take a piece of blank paper and write down words/ideas relevant to your topic - and start to group them according to any association you feel fit. Just the act of writing and grouping can be enough to release new ideas and unlock the block.

Make Sweeping Statements: Blocks happen when you are either delving too deep or being vague. Write an expansive phrase related to the general content - "This is about the lost innocence of old age." Then critically argue the point. You may not get a story, or a piece of journalism, but the mere act of putting pen to paper works wonders.

Focus: Alternatively, reflect upon a single point. If you can sum up what you are trying to say in a single line or word then this can trigger fresh thoughts. Write something like -'I want my character to be expressive with his body' - and then go into greater detail. Feel free to be flippent and feverishly cross out anything that doesn't work later... just let yourself go.

Duck out of it: If you are going over a single point time and again then cut your losses and focus elsewhere. Go to another paragraph, start another chapter or think up fresh headings for later. The important thing is not to stress. My maxim is to let it go. And often when the subconscious mind relaxes magical things happen.

Know when to come back: It is easy to put the kettle on or let the cat out and forget your writing troubles. But it is a good idea to come back and challenge yourself to write a few words before the kettle boils, or the cat miaows to be let back in. The fact that you're doing something in a spare few minutes means you are giving yourself less pressure. And less pressure means less blocks.

Be fast and free: Write down anything that occurs to you that is loosely based on your chosen topic. Let the critical side of you have a break and simply write. Write down whatever it is that you want to say - or don't want to say! You will find that out of the masses of words that appear you might have one nugget of writing gold that can be savoured and built upon. Or if not, at least enjoy the fact that the page is no longer blank.

Read: This may seem counterintuitive but take a book or magazine and read a chunk. Then take a moment to mentally (or physically) summarise it - now write a scathing critique, or write your own version using better/worse words. Attack the way it has been written, or copy the bits that excite you.

Sometimes by just reading a section of your favourite book, or a successful piece of earlier writing, you will get your writer's mojo back. This is a double edged sword and may make you feel even lower but it's a risk worth taking.

Phone a friend: If all else fails then call a friend and arrange to meet up. Get there ten minutes early and use the time to do a quick paragraph or two. Then when she or he arrives, order a relaxing drink and forget your troubles. When you part, re-read what you have written and let it trigger your next masterpiece.

Reject the Net: Writing on a computer brings its own temptation. It's easy to open up programs and have them running consecutively. In a flash you can go from writing War & Peace to downloading MP3 files, surfing for tonight's lunch, etc. To avoid deliberately distracting myself, I tend to literally disconnect myself from the outside world and run just a word processing application.

Okay - I know there are only a few suggestions here - and I hope I'm not stating the obvious... I intend to build this up so that writer's block isn't such a shock!

And - by the way - now I'd better get back to what I was writing on. Deadlines, deadlines.

Bests

Jack

NB: Re the title - since I am writing about writers in plural I thought I would put the apostrophe after the s - it wasn't a mistake...honest!

Good ideas and innovations must be driven into existence by courageous patience!