Got writer’s block?

We’ve all heard of it. The novelist who spends decades on a book, or the poet who doesn’t write a single word for weeks.

The reasons behind writer’s block vary depending on who you ask. Some say it stems from trying to write something that’s just not right, others blame it on fear, anxiety, imposter syndrome…

Whatever the cause, it’s been plaguing writers since writing began.

And it doesn’t just affect those novelists and poets. Plain old business writers, copywriters and content creators can suffer too.

There’s nothing worse than knowing you need to get that blog post/email sequence/bio/landing page written, but just… not.

What is it about a blank page that makes your creativity well dry up faster than a government U turn?

That little cursor blinking at you, accusingly…

You’ve done all the research, you’ve prepared until you can prepare no more, yet still the words don’t come.

Curing writer’s block isn’t as hard as you fear…

Here’s my 3 step method for getting rid of writer’s block and getting back into the content creating groove.

Step 1: Banish the blank page.

How?

By writing something! Anything!

You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block.

~John Rogers

It could be the most stilted, uninspired, sleep-inducing copy you’ve ever had the misfortune to read, it doesn’t matter, just get words onto that page.

If you can hardly bear to look at it, don’t worry because it’s not going to stay like that for long.

Step 2: Relax

Once you’ve vanquished the blank page – rejoice! You’ve done the hardest part, and you can no longer lay claim to writer’s block! Or rather, writer’s block no longer has its claws in you…

Now you get to relax.

Step away from it for a while. Overnight if you can, but if all you have time for is to grab a quick cuppa then do that.

Try to get up from your laptop and look at something other than a screen. Listen to some music. Go for a walk. Have a bubble bath.

Got writer’s block? First things first, get rid of the blank page. How? By writing something! Anything!

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Step 3: Go forth and edit!

Editing is a vital part of the writing process.

I guarantee that when you get back to that page, you’ll be 100 times more inspired than when you started. Your stilted phrases, cliches and filler words will effortlessly be replaced with flowing prose and perfect phrasing (OK, maybe it’s not always quite this easy, but you’d be surprised!)

Editing isn’t something that only bad writers do because they can’t get it right first time – editing IS writing.

No-one writes a bestseller or a sales page with a 100% conversion rate first time. Even world famous, award winning writers edit their work – and then send it to an editor who does it all again!

Looking at something with fresh eyes is guaranteed to improve your writing even if it was pretty great to begin with.

I’m not saying you need to over think every last Facebook comment, Insta caption or even blog post. Sometimes the things we fire off without a second thought are brilliant. Sometimes they don’t need to be brilliant, they just need to be there.

But if you always write and post without going back to edit – you’re doing yourself and your copy a disservice.

I’ll finish with this fantastic quote from Sandra Tsing Loh, because, really, what else needs to be said?

Maybe I should edit everything else out…

When you face writer’s block, just lower your standards and keep going.

Sandra Tsing Loh

If you’d like some help with your copywriting, or your editing, just…