I thought I had addressed this issue when I wrote “When I am not Writing.” However, a question in that regard was asked again by one of my followers on LinkedIn.
The question goes thus:
“But I have a question though, how do we deal with a situation where a person needs to write down something but feels blank and can’t think of what to write?”
My initial response was that the person should do things that might help them clear whatever is responsible for the blankness.
Such things may be, but are not limited to:
– Taking a walk for a moment
– Cry if that is the primary therapy for you
– Record a voicenote on your phone
– Shut down and sleep
– Pick up your phone, dial a friend, and have a relaxing chat moment
– Pick a book and read.
Yes, even established writers experience writer’s block once in a while. Some of the issues mentioned above are coping mechanisms to get back the mojo to write.
However, if it is your first attempt to write things down, don’t give up; take any of the steps mentioned above, or whatever works for you, but may not be included in the list above.
My first experience with writing was that of fear. I wrote and ‘edited’ many articles in my head, but lacked the courage to put them down on paper. Then, one day, I summoned all my courage and, with all my energy, wrote things down. I handed it over to my mentor, who graciously corrected it for me and gave me some tips. The rest, as they often say, is now history.
At your first attempt, you should be less concerned about perfection. Perfection is great, no doubt, but that should not be a burden if you want to break out into writing. Sometimes, you may even write what makes no sense.
I could recall one day when I wrote in my diary, “I want to write today, but I don’t really know what to write about.”
Years later, I will open my diary and read it again and again. Sometimes, I will laugh at myself for documenting such an uneventful day in my diary. Other times, it will make me appreciate the days I wrote with such reluctance, even to the point of stopping.
In my book, The Unspoken Symphony, I wrote a poem on page 19:
The missing object
I have gripped the cutlass
To search for the missing cutlass in the grass
The phone torchlight
To look for the misplaced phone
The writer’s pen fully inked
For the missing pen
The writer cannot write
Because the pen he holds
Is meant to find the pen
In the parody of life.
Today, things are relatively more straightforward, as there are many ways to pour out your thoughts. You can record, as stated earlier, or you can start typing, which makes no sense at first, only to end up with a fantastic write-up at the end of the day.
Also, when you are not constrained by one style of writing, it may be a bit easier to overcome blankness.
One word of advice: do not force it when the words are not coming forth. Relax your mind, clear the obstruction, and you will get back your writing mojo. Also, remember we don’t write well all the time. Plus, we live to write another day.
Even if it doesn’t make sense, put it down first. Come back to it later with a computer or your phone; you have the power to edit it.
Remember that blankness is not unusual and, therefore, it is not a death sentence on your writing. Do not worry; you will write again once the fog clears.
©TheVillageBoy
(The figure man who loves alphabets)
