The Cure For a Common Case of Writer's Block

Have you ever come down with a case of writer's block? When you're fresh out of words! Your mind's a blank and so is the page. You can't come up with another thing you can say. Small business owners who have to write articles, blog posts, ezines, website content, ebooks, and other info-products often get stuck when they have to write about themselves or their business. They're just too close to the situation to put into words what they want to say to promote their business.

Sometimes they feel the pressure of deadlines or distractions are all around. What could be the cause of this common ailment and how can it be cured? Often the answer is FEAR! Entrepreneurs may be terrified that they have nothing of value to say, nothing that hasn't already been said over and over. They feel uncomfortable boasting about their business or they fear their writing isn't good enough for public viewing.

Are any of these familiar to you?

1. Perfectionism. You feel you must produce a masterpiece in the first draft. Otherwise, it's delete, delete.
2. Editing not writing. Your judging mind is critiquing every incorrect word, spelling, or grammar error and not letting your creativity reign.
3. Self-consciousness. You find it hard to write about your business because it's not right to brag. And anyway, you're not a writer! Buy if you don't promote your business who will?
4. Stuck getting started. It's always the first sentence that's the hardest. Or the headline or the title. You think it has to be brilliant to hook the reader from the start!
5. Distractions. You have to answer e-mails. The computer's crashing. The phone's ringing off the hook. You have a business to run so how can you be creative too?
6. Procrastination. It's your favorite pastime and excuse. There's always tomorrow, but there'll be another excuse then too!

Can you really find the cure for a bad case of writer's block? Only if you really want to. Test some of these methods for overcoming writer's block:

1. Plan your project before you sit down to write. It gets your thoughts organized and you'll be ready to go forward smoothly.
2. Write without expectation. No one writes a masterpiece the first time out. Give yourself permission to let the words and ideas flow out and do the edits later or hire a professional editor.
3. Get inspired. Close your eyes and envision your opening sentence. If it doesn't come right away, skip ahead and go back when you've finished your piece. When you review it, the first sentence will become clearer or just pop out of your deeper thoughts. So will your title.
4. Plan your writing time. Close the door, turn off the phone, and keep an appointment with yourself to write. Set a goal to write a certain amount and don't stop until you reach it. If you run out of time, immediately set your next appointment. If you can only spare 30 minutes instead of 2 hours, write at least one page. You can do it.
5. Visualize the end result. Imagine your name on the cover of your book. See your byline on the article. Get clear about your motivation and allow it to break through your blocks. Set up a regular accountability meeting with another blocked writer and cheer each other on. Plan a reward for each milestone!

Once you conquer writer's block, remember what worked and repeat it if it strikes again. Bask in the glory of the finished piece and let that be your cure the next time you come down with a case of writer's block. Of course, you can always hire a ghostwriter like me to do all your writing!

Homework: Sit down and write for 5 minutes a day just letting ideas flow from your brain to your fingertips. Do this every day until you get over your writing blocks and fears.