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10 Ways to Unclog Your Writing Drain2

All writers hit a block, a period of congestion, a time when the ideas seem to dry up. When that happens, it’s important to get busy doing something about it. Here are 10 ways to unclog your writing drain and get your creative juices flowing again.

1. Change your location

If you’ve been writing in the living room, get up and relocate to another room. You may even need to leave your house and go to a library or bookstore or park.

2. Change your activity

Go check on your goldfish, water the backyard or sort your sock drawer. Okay, don’t like these? You pick another activity then.

3. Write anything. “I can’t think of anything to write.”

After writing “I can’t think of anything to write” over and over, your brain will insist on you writing something else.

4. Switch writing tools.

If you’ve been writing on the computer, switch to writing on paper with a pen or pencil or crayon.

5. Take a nap.

Refresh your mind and body with a nap break. It can work wonders.

6. Read a book

Catch up where you left off in your favorite book. It takes your mind away long enough for it to regroup.

7. Go out for a walk or exercise.

Participate in one of the writing challenges in November.

8. Write Nonfiction in November
Get encouragement, post your progress and participate on their Facebook page.

9. National Novel Writing Month
Thirty days and nights of literary abandon.

10. National Blog Posting Month
Grab the blogroll, a badge and follow the daily prompts.

So what are you waiting for?