Top 3 Ways to Overcome Writer's Block

Top 3 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block

Ok, so it’s exam time and you finally sat down to write that dreadful English literature essay (not to single out English literature majors here, it’s just that that post is about creative writing and writing for such classes are likely to be far more creative than an essay focusing on molecular biology.

A computer graphics enhanced pigeon. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Number 3.

Talk to a friend. Yes, this could be seen as yet another way to procrastinate even further on that long overdue term paper, but since plagiarizing isn’t an option unless you want to get yourself expelled from the school altogether, you will have to find a way to turn in that assignment. Thus, talking to friends and peers stimulates us cognitively and may spark your though processes just enough to get you started on that new page, and many say that’s all it takes – to get started.

What is art? Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Number 2.

Plagiarize. No, no, no! This is a bad attempt at a joke. Whatever you do, do not plagiarize, it will not only get you a bad grade on the assignment, it may lead you to fail the course and even to get expelled, yes expelled, as in kicked out forever, from the schools, college or university you are attending. For the sake of people’s academic careers out there, I repeat: Do no plagiarize! However, reading up on the subject and even using properly cited and referenced material may given you a head start and even an advantage on your analytical essay.

Creative flow. Infinity. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Number 1.

Distract yourself. This particular step works better with math problems but it may come in handy with writer’s block as well. Sometimes, when you’ve been hard at work with the same math problem for hours, you’ve exhausted all your cognitive resources and the solution is nowhere nearer. In those critical times, it’s better to distract oneself, like go to the gym and exercise (which actually increases cognitive function and releases endorphins making you feel good). Once rested and replenished, you can take on the task with new vigour.