How do you solve writer's block?

Topic title says it all.

Any and all writing types welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

I read book reviews whenever I'm lacking the focus to write, often finding that reading about writing helps spark some inspiration.

 

I just remind myself what my first editor told me: there's no such thing. Then I get to writing.

 

Much like CD, I'll look over material written by people having previously inspired me. I don't have to search much since I've flagged certain pages and highlighted key thoughts. Lately, it has been work by Jacob Bronowski and James Deakin.

 

There's no such thing. Start pounding away on the keyboard. You can always change it up if it doesn't make sense.

 

Just keep writing.

 

Take a break. In many cases, the block comes from being tired.

 

Take a 10 minute walk. Talk to yourself about what you want the piece to say.

Come home. Turn off the Internet. Literally.

Stop beating your head against the wall on the section that's messing with you brain. Skip ahead. Write a sentence. Write another. Work until you have a paragraph. Then two.

Go back to the troubling section. Work to connect them. Now you have somewhere you're going.

Outlines help too. Even rough ones.

 

What if the block applies to outlines?

OK, just kidding. I find walking or driving (in silence) to be helpful. Some of my most productive "writing" sessions have come during long trips on empty highways.

 

"I don't understand how a writer could ever get writer's block, so-called. My problem is having too much ... and being unable to get it all down." — James Dickey

 

Dickey probably just drank away what other people consider writer's block.

 

Walk away. Take a shower, a walk, get laid. Don't come back to it until you know what you're going to do. When you're ready, you'll know. Worst thing you can do is sit there thinking, 'Fuck! Writer's block!' like you just discovered a cold sore.